30.11.2024
Hello Fellow Aeromodellers
VMAA Update – November 2024
The flying season is well and truly upon us, with events happening across the state. I recently had the pleasure of competing in an IMAC event at Wangaratta with my son and attending a Float Fun Fly at BRAG (Baw Baw) with our Webmaster, Phil. Our Treasurer, Mark, attended the Bordertown Aerotow event. Our State Flying Instructor, Les, ran another Instructor’s Course at the Central Victoria RC Modellers Club. Our Contest Director, Ricardo, completed the course.
We are excited to welcome our new Treasurer, Mark Peterson, and our new Registrar, Ian Mackay. Both Mark and Ian have hit the ground running and already have their portfolios well in hand. Ian has nearly all memberships up to date and Mark has our finances under control.
The committee has been diligently working on improving processes and ensuring correct governance. The website’s content is growing daily and is becoming a one-stop shop for everything about our great sport.
Updates and Reminders for This Month:
- Club Brochure Offer:
- The club brochure offer is live on the website. If your club wants specific brochures to promote your club, we are offering $200 for printing. https://www.vmaa.com.au/club-brochures/
- MAAA Club Assistance Scheme (CAS) Grants:
- The grants will be opening soon. Start thinking about what your club needs. Get together with your members and plan what is important to improve your facilities. The MAAA offers up to $7,700, and the VMAA can contribute to your project. Early submissions allow us to ensure your application is the best it can be. Successful applications will be decided at the MAAA Conference in May 2025. https://www.vmaa.com.au/club-grants-loans/
- Find a Club Feature:
- This feature is only as good as the data available. We need all clubs to add their club details to the site. Clear instructions are available on the website. Club Committees have been given the password for access. https://www.vmaa.com.au/find-a-club-add-your-club/
- Event Promotion:
- Clubs can now add their events to the website. Promote your events and add them here: https://www.vmaa.com.au/add-event/
- FW25 and RW25 HMI Applications:
- We’ve received many applications, and our SHMI has been very busy testing these candidates. We won’t accept any new applications this year as everyone is busy leading up to Christmas. On the bright side, we are launching a new online application process in January, making the process far less complicated, transparent, and efficient. All future applications need to be via the website. There are clear instructions on what is required. If this is for you, start drafting your experience in building and flying heavy models and gather some photos of your FW25 aircraft, including installation photos, ready to be uploaded onto the new application page when released. The last MAAA meeting for the year is on 10th December, and this is when the current applications are ratified. MAAA meetings will resume in February 2025.
- Junior Membership Offer:
- The VMAA is offering one year of free membership to all first-time junior members. New juniors who have already paid for this financial year will receive a voucher to cover next year’s membership. The VMAA will cover both VMAA and MAAA fees. https://www.vmaa.com.au/first-year-juniors-fly-free/
Until next time, Safe flying
Tony Wilson
VMAA President