JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
While Avalon Airshow grabbed the aeronautical spotlight last week, a smaller but equally dedicated band of fliers also took to the skies.
The members of Geelong Miniature Aircraft Association (GMAA) were flying under the radar at their airfield in Batesford.
But even though their aircraft are models, the pilots still had to do their pre-flight checks, keep an eye on the weather and run maintenance.
The association grew from humble beginnings on Belmont Common in the late 1960s when local modellers began swapping tips and flying single-channel radio-controlled aircraft.
As technology improved, the interest in the hobby grew, president Peter Baker said, and the club was officially born.
However, the days of model aircraft buzzing around Belmont Common were numbered, so the club found some wide open spaces on Batesford’s Dog Rocks Road.
“Now we have more than 80 members aged from 14 to some of our experienced modellers aged in their 80s,” Peter said.
“The sport is not only an enjoyable hobby and pastime but it keeps the mind active and enhances hand-eye coordination and fine-motor skills.”
Peter said club members owned a wide variety of model aircraft from Roulettes PC9s, Cessnas and World War Two fighters to gliders and helicopters.
“The aircraft are fuelled by petrol or methanol and powered by two and four-stroke engines or electric motors,” Peter explained.
“Recently a few members have also ventured into the top end of radio control with turbine jets.”
Peter said many members chose to build their aircraft from a plan, called scratch building.
The less-adventurous purchased almost-ready-to-fly aircraft.
“These aircraft generally only take a few hours to fit the radio controls and power plant before you can get airborne,” Peter said.
A basic trainer set-up for a beginner pilot generally costs $500 to $700 depending on the size and type of aircraft and the specifications of its radio control unit.
“There’s usually a group of us at the Dog Rocks field when the weather is favourable, with the majority of members flying over the weekend and public holidays,” Peter said.
“It’s a relaxed atmosphere because we like the social aspect of the club, so we hold regular barbecues and the like.”
Peter said the club planned to set up a beginners’ model aircraft equipped with a buddy-box system in which the learner and an experienced pilot shared a dual controller.
“We always love to welcome visitors down to the field and talk to members and find out what we are all about.”
Peter said more information was available on GMAA’s website at www.gmaa.org.au or by emailing info@gmaa.org.au.
Join the Club is a new weekly Independent feature reflecting the motto of the paper’s family-owned parent company: Connecting people and communities.
