MAAA Wingspan - Quarterly Magazine

7 MAY WING SPAN MAAALogo. An undeniably memorable and adrenaline-induced event, filled with great competition and camaraderie- the 70th MAAA National Model Aircraft Championships firmly secured its place as one of the most exciting aeromodelling events on the MAAA calendar. Taking place during the week of April 23-30, competing pilots took full advantage of the new ideally centralised location in West Wyalong. Featuring 82 events across ten flight lines at six sites, the 70th MAAA Nationals showcased the best in every facet of aeromodelling, including Radio Control, Free Flight and Indoor flying. This pinnacle event certainly had something for everyone. “The fact that 270 pilots participated, along with friends and family members supporting them, really speaks for itself in terms of the success of the event,” said event coordinator Tahn Stowe. Instrumentally, this was also the first time in a long time that the Nationals were held in one town, with all the modelling events in such close proximity. “I think it really did make a difference to people’s experience of a Nationals,” continues Tahn. “The fact that you could get to the majority of venues from the centre of West Wyalong within five minutes meant that people could take part and fly at one event and then go and spectate at another.” MAAA President Neil Tank was in attendance and was later joined by AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) president Rich Hanson. “It was great to have them both there,” says Tahn. “They undertook some of the medallion presentations, which added a bit of gravitas to proceedings and a welcome face to the organisation.” As planned, the event went gloriously old school with the Mayor of West Wyalong, Tony Lord attending the opening ceremony and officially declaring the Championships open. A highlight was also the time honoured night scramble that lasted exactly an hour. It essentially served as an aeromodelling ‘free for all’ and was characteristically plenty of fun for competing pilots. 70 TH MAAA NATIONAL MODEL AIRCRAFT CHAMPIONSHIPS THE ‘NATS’ WAS A ROARING SUCCESS! All images courtesy of MalcolmCampbell