General News
8 March, 2024
The sky’s the limit
FLYING model aircraft takes patience, precision, practice...and more practice.
For members of the Warrnambool Model Aircraft Club, the art of flying is something they continue to work at and is a hobby they enjoy sharing.
Each year the club hosts a ‘Fun Fly’ event from its base in Koroit, and this year’s event will run next weekend, March 16 and 17.
“Our Fun Flight days attract fliers from not only our club but from many interstate as well,” club vice-president Peter Haberfield said.
“The weekend gives fliers the opportunity to show their skills, their craft and to talk with visitors who are always interested in what we do and how the planes are built.
“The weekend also acts as abit of a fundraiser for our club because we ask a gold coin donation. The weekend is fully catered and we’re expecting around 40 to 50 planes over the two days.
“But like most public events, its success also depends on the weather. If the winds are too strong that won’t be favourable.”
Members of the public will be most welcome between 10am and 3pm.
Organisers are hoping that among the large number of model aircraft on display will be one from Adelaide with a wingspan of around 13 foot.
“Now that will be something that will create a lot of interest,” Mr Haberfield said.
“Most of us have models much smaller because, in reality, the bigger the wingspan the more difficult they are to manoeuvre, not just in the sky but also on land in terms of storage and transport.
“But in saying that, those (planes) on the smaller scale can get lost in the sky which also makes them hard to navigate as well.”
While it can take several months to build a model aircraft from scratch, learning to fly can take even longer.
“It’s not as easy as some people may think,” Mr Haberfield said.
“We’re always learning and most of us have had a crash (or several) in the process. It takes time, practice, patience and more patience but it’s a lot of fun and something we all enjoy.”
The Warrnambool Model Aircraft Club is based at 330 Officers Lane, Koroit.
