In response to a Channel 7 News article that went to air on Wednesday 15 May the MAAA provides the following media release. 

In October 2018, a RC plane accident occurred at a Queensland Aeromodelling Club, west of Brisbane - resulting in a grass fire.

The aircraft involved was, contrary to reports, a small propeller plane which went off the air on the downward leg of a circuit at the club.

It is extremely rare for a grass fire to occur from a RC Model Aircraft, however, the batteries on board, together with the wind at the time, sparked the fire.

On behalf of the MAAA, I am sending through this email to update our members on the proposed CASA Registration and Accreditation Scheme outcome for MAAA Clubs and Members. Your Executive prepared significant supporting documentation for Mr Shane Carmody, the Director of Aviation Safety (CASA) in light of the proposed registration and Accreditation of RPA’s within Australia. On Monday 25th March the MAAA Secretary met with three high level managers of CASA in Chris Monaghan, Anthony Stanton and Luke Gumley. This was in relation to the direction of the CASA registration and accreditation system. The material presented included significant information on the historical safety performance of the MAAA.

Re: Proposed new remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) registration and RPAS operator accreditation scheme (PP1816US).

As many of our members will be aware, the public spotlight is once again on model aircraft flying.  As part of the outcomes of the Senate Enquiry for the registration and accreditation of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA’s) and pilots, CASA released the new proposed changes for public consultation on Friday 25th January 2019.

Merry Christmas to all our members! Once again, the festive season is upon us, time to spend with family and friends. Many of our member clubs will have already held or are about to hold their annual Christmas functions and I suspect many ‘war’ stories will be told. The New Year will bring to us all new challenges, but I hope 2019 will be prosperous to us all.

There’s something uniquely thrilling and exciting about the spectacle of scale model planes taking to the skies in beautifully coordinated sequences that push the boundaries of conventional aviation flight capabilities. It’s all part of the extraordinary appeal of aerobatics. 

What were some of your highlights from the World Championship?

The personal highlights for me had to be the F4C team securing a gold medal and standing on the podium with that gold medal around your neck singing the National anthem. Also, when my team mates came running up to me, including my wife (Melissa, who was also the team manager) with tears in their eyes telling me we had secured gold! After the sacrifices made by some of the F4C team over the years the gold was well earned. It was also great to have Peter Goff and Greg Lepp getting in the top ten at their first F4H world champs.

New MAAA assistant secretary, Tyson Dodd, says that he first began flying when his father, (former MAAA secretary Kevin Dodd) handed him a model aeroplane transmitter when he was seven years old. His passion for aeromodelling has thrived ever since that pivotal moment.

The 2018 Annual MAAA Council Conference was held in Adelaide over the weekend of May 19th and 20th, in which Presidents and other executives from all states attended.

After many months of preparation, the historic 70^th MAAA National Model Aircraft Championships finally took flight to confidently secure its place as one of the most thrilling aeromodelling events on the MAAA calendar.  

The 2017 MAAA Annual Council Conference was held in Launceston on the weekend of May 20th and 21st. This important meeting offers an opportunity for club executives to get together and address issues facing the MAAA for the benefit of its members and the sport.

The Australian Senate has just released a Media Release regarding the inquiry into the regulatory requirements that impact the safe use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, Unmanned Aerial Systems and associated systems.

Are you ready to take off in 2017-2018, soaring to greater, more thrilling heights with the MAAA?

MAAA clubs are about fun flying, camaraderie and community. By renewing your membership with the largest, most renowned aeromodelling organisation in Australia, you can take to the skies, knowing you are in the safest hands.

This year has commenced with a flying start for our MAAA community, with so many exciting opportunities for our members to soar and excel in this amazing sport loved by many. In 2017, we are focussed on growing our sport, providing our members with the best flying facilities and support, while encouraging member participation and engagement.

A new year represents new opportunities for our members to soar to more thrilling heights, enjoy the camaraderie of flying with friends, while taking a bird's-eye view of the sport loved by so many in renowned, adrenalin pumping events in 2017.