Newsletter 424 – December 2019

At the 2019 NSW Precision Aerobatic Championships - Phil Spence (Canberra) and Chris Henry (Albury) both flew ldquoElementrdquos from the BJ CraftAndrew Jesky stable Philrsquos has a custom mixture of greens on a white base which he calls ldquoSlimerdquo Chrisrsquos was a more

convention BJ Craft colour scheme Both were direct drive electric powered More on page 18

Photo and words via NSW Pattern Flyers

Newsletter 424 ndash December 2019

Page | 2


Contents Contents 2 Diary Notes 3 Contacts 3 General Bi-Monthly Management Committee Meeting Minutes 4 Aeromodellers NSW 201920 Calendar 17 Club News amp General Interest 18

NSW Precision Aerobatic Championships - Nov 2019 18 The Shepherdmdasha Canadian Christmas Classic 21

Upcoming Events 24 Gosford City Aeromodellers Club ndash 2019 Regular Events 24 2020 Banjo Patterson Scale Rally ndash 22-23 February 25 COMSOA Scale Fun Fly ndash 16-17 May 27

It is requested that all Clubs and their members note the advice at Item 4 (Pg 15) of General and New Business regarding CASA AC101-03 covering flying of LiPo powered aircraft during total fire bans

Page | 3


Diary Notes Next Aeromodellers NSW Bi-Monthly Management Committee Meeting Friday 7th February 2020 800pm at Dooleyrsquos Waterview Club Cnr of Clyde Street and Silverwater Road Silverwater Note ndash this meeting is one week earlier than usual so as not to clash with Valentinersquos Day for all the romantics out there Following Aeromodellers NSW Bi-Monthly Management Committee Meeting Friday 10th April 2020 800pm at Dooleyrsquos Waterview Club Cnr of Clyde Street and Silverwater Road Silverwater Newsletter 425 (February 2020) deadline for submissions Friday 31st January 2020 Note There will be no Newsletter in January

Contacts President

Tim Nolan presidentnswaeromodellersorgau 0412 173 440

Vice Pres

Greg Hoy vicepresidentnswaeromodellersorgau 0417 284 615

Secretary

Clive Weatherhead secretarynswaeromodellersorgau co Battery Business Unit 14 3 Vuko Place Warriewood NSW 2102

0404 826 880

Treasurer State Field Officer

Steve Norrie treasurernswaeromodellersorgau 0418 874 740

Registrar

David Lewis registrarnswaeromodellersorgau PO Box 7291 SOUTH PENRITH 2750

02 4736 2611 0439 264 220

Newsletter Editor

Rob Masters editornswaeromodellersorgau

0418 160 295

Public Relations Officer and Webmaster

Aranka Nolan publicrelationsofficernswaeromodellersorgau

0419 540 104

CFI

George Atkinson cfinswaeromodellersorgau 0414 972 118

Deputy CFI North

Martin Cochrane deputycfinorthnswaeromodellersorgau 02 6658 2364

Deputy CFI South

Brendan Tucker deputycfisouthnswaeromodellersorgau 02 6931 1025

Join us on Facebook

Please forward any changes of mail or email address together with your AUS Number directly to the Registrar

Page | 4


General Bi-Monthly Management Committee Meeting

Minutes Aeromodellers NSW Inc

Venue Dooleyrsquos Waterview Club Cnr Clyde St amp Silverwater Rd Silverwater

Friday 13th December 2019

Meeting Opened 802pm Attendees in person Clive Weatherhead ndash WRCS Rob Masters ndash WPMAC Dave Lewis ndash Coota

Jeremy Randle ndash NSW Pylon Greg Hoy ndash ANSW Tim Nolan ndash ROW Aranka Nolan ndash ROW Stephen Lange ndash PRCAC Todd Hazell ndash PRCAC Dean Reibolge ndash HMAS Bruce Thrift ndash CVRCMASC Tim Ingham - WRCS

Attendees via Zoom online Tom Tobin Daryl Wolfe Paul Collins Visitors None Apologies Steve Norrie ndash Scale Minutes Motion That the minutes of the Bi-Monthly meeting held on the 11th October 2019 at

Dooleyrsquos Waterview as published in Newsletter 422 October 2019 and the financials for August and September distributed in email bulletin 12 be accepted as a true and correct record of that meeting (Note the financials for June and July were circulated in the same bulletin)

Moved WPMAC Seconded Coota Carried Business Arising

1 Major ANSW event in 2020 ndash the October 2020 meeting agreed that a major state event is a good idea Item deferred for discussion at an ANSW committee meeting to bring proposals back to bi-monthly management committee No proposal yet due to the extensive activity on a new flying field

Page | 5


Correspondence

Correspondence In Source Content Outcome and matters arising Neil Tank ndash MAAA Confirmation that a small

vehicle damage claim at SSSFA had been resolved by MAAA (below insurance excess)

No action required

Hutton Oddy ndash NEMAC Application for height extension for Sailplane Expo in Jan 2020

With Tim Nolan to discuss with CASA and organise prior to event

Michael Ford ndash Lower Tweed

Incident report ndash fire in sugar cane field

Has been investigated and dealt with at ANSW level With MAAA and insurer

Tyson Dodd ndash MAAA Minutes of May 2019 national conference

Info only

Reeve Marsh ndash VMAA Copy of correspondence to MAAA concerning the nationals venue and operations and alignment with output of MAAA conference

Info only VMAA and others in correspondence with MAAA

Rick Collis ndash MMAC Question as to whether MAAA has issued a directive on flying aircraft containing lipos during a total fire ban

None yet from MAAA although CASA AC101-03 states that aircraft powered by lipos should not be flown during a total fire ban

John Considine - NSWSAS

Enquiry concerning funding of trophies

ANSW $250 grant approved Invoice and event report now received and grant paid

David Kennedy ndash SSME Providing copy of rules for flying visitors to SSME

Acknowledged Suggested implementation of a first check flight with a suitably endorsed person

Gerry Carter ndash LSF Request for clubs to nominate if willing to host a team trial for slope soaring or multi-task gliding for world championship entrants

Circulated by bulletin

Phil Crandon ndash Lismore Receipts for costs incurred in respect of ANSW grant funding

Passed to Treasurer for payment and paid

David Murrell - Archville Eagles

Change of Club Execs and longlat for 2 additional flying locations

Noted for CASA records

Mike Frizell Enquiry concerning insurance coverage in relation to a news item from Taiwan

Passed to MAAA for insurer to comment

John Considine ndash SAS Invoice for trophies for scale event and write up for publication

Passed to Treasurer for payment and Newsletter Editor for publication

Page | 6


Correspondence In Source Content Outcome and matters arising Felix Nieuwenhuizen FAI form for 2020 world cup

event Forwarded to MAAA for processing and submission

Bruce Atkinson Enquiry concerning future of 36mhz frequency

Checked with MAAA and the reply published as a new business item in these minutes for the interest of members

Steve Smedley - OMAC Application for permit to conduct a display ndash opening Banjo Patterson Scale Rally to the public and seeking approval for static displays in shopping centres in Orange

All approved and commended on the initiative to take modelling to the general public

Tyson Dodd ndash MAAA Confirmation of minutes of presidentsrsquo meeting concerning proposed possible property transaction

For record only

Chris Orfanos Input drafts of various MOPs For info and ANSW processing on behalf of MAAA

Bob Cantwell Additional information on an incident at Heathcote Oval involving an aircraft hitting a parked car

Passed to MAAA to finalise matter

Peter Pine ndash FNCEF Various concerning negotiations with Tweed Council concerning listing on insurance policy

Peter resolved matter with Tweed Council

Allan Aston ndash SHMAC Requesting input concerning the banning of all aircraft flying during a total fire ban

Answered See Presidentrsquos Report later in this document

David Murrell ndash AERCMAC

Questions concerning bank signatories

In process of resolution

Tim Nolan ndash ANSW Expenses for Oct to Dec 19 To treasurer for settlement Tyson Dodd ndash MAAA Notification of MAAA

conference 2020 and call for submission documents

With ANSW Secretary to process

John Armarego ndash The Scale Aviators

Various documents concerning the incorporation and operation of a new club

Processed

David Kennedy ndash SSME Change of office bearers Colin Kennedy ndash President Ross Knight ndash Treasurer

Processed

Late Correspondence Not Yet Dealt With Source Content Outcome and matters arising

Page | 7


Correspondence out Source Content Outcome and matters arising Clive Weatherhead ndash ANSW

To Phil Crandon Lismore Club

Confirmation that spending on safety barrier within pre-agreed budget was approved by ANSW management committee meeting

Tim Nolan ndash ANSW To Tyson Dodd ndash MAAA FW25 heavy model inspector documentation for Brendon Hassell

Greg Hoy ndash ANSW To CASA Grant request for ANSW to run pop-up information booths in centres and at events on uav registration and licensing

Various ndash ANSW Extensive correspondence on potential property acquisition

Recipients include various agents councils valuer CASA MAAA etc Details withheld from these minutes as transaction is pending

Various ndash ANSW Correspondence concerning the grazing land leasee breaching lease conditions at Cootamundra and remedies

Ongoing

Tim Nolan ndash ANSW Gary Matheson ndash draft risk assessment templates for consideration and use

Info only

Tim Nolan ndash ANSW To Mark Lewis CASA Area approval and height extension for Scale Aviators Club (same site as the previous NAAAS Club SAC has affiliated with ANSW)

With CASA for approval

Motion That the inward correspondence is accepted and the outward correspondence be adopted Moved WPMAC Seconded WRCS Carried Reports Treasurer Steve Norrie (absent with apologies) The October and November reports were presented and will be circulated in an email bulletin Expenses incurred by committee members were presented for approval Motion That the Treasurerrsquos reports be accepted and the accounts presented be approved for payment Moved CVRCMASC Seconded NSW Pylon Carried

Page | 8


President and CASA Liaison Tim Nolan As the year draws to a close it gives us all a chance to reflect on the year almost completed and spend some much-needed time with family and friends before we dive into a New Year With all of the recent bush fires we have an obligation to the communities that we live and fly in to reduce the risk of fire and as much as possible not cause any further workload on our already stretched fire-fighting resources The Bulletin I sent out recently asked clubs to look at their field and club rules to with a view possibly to restrict flying during total fire bans A number of clubs have introduced such rules and I commend them for taking a leadership role within NSW What sparked this was that of the last two larger fires reported (both as a result of crashes) the first was a 30cc gas powered plane with a LiPo battery for the RX and the second was a small 4s LiPo powered foam model It can and does happen Does your clubflight line have fire extinguishers close by Your representatives on the ANSW committee have been busy looking to find and secure another flying field close to Sydney The tireless efforts of Greg and Aranka with help from Dino is starting to pay dividends and we have a few properties short listed A personal thanks to all the local club members who have looked at properties and have been invaluable in helping us find a new field for aeromodelling We will provide more information as soon as we can stay tuned As you have seen in advice from the MAAA President there is a complete review of all of the MOPs happening This process is being driven by CASA and will be part of our moving towards a Safety Management System as well as any requirements for Section 149 if we choose to go down the self-administration path It is expected their name may change from Manual of Procedures (MOP) to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to better represent current industry practice It is looking less likely that the MAAA will go to Sections 149 but a decision on that will be made at the May 2020 MAAA Conference in Sydney If you are asked to review any of the DRAFT MOPsSOPs would you please mark any changes or suggestions in another colour A quick turnaround would be appreciated so that we can review and consider their incorporation into the final document We are required to keep CASA regularly updated on the progress and they will be subject to a final reviewsign off by CASA before they are introduced The subject of Heavy and Giant Model Inspectionspermits and the appointment of Inspectors is included in the review It is likely that expiry dates will be reintroduced in some form as well as evidence of the inspections you complete and the type and weight of models you are flying and or maintaining From the Presidentsrsquo Conference held last Saturday 7th December there where a number of items covered as listed in the agenda It was resolved there will be no Nationals for 2020 as no State Body was prepared to host the event There was also an offer from a State Body to conduct a longer-term review of the Nationals and to try to develop some future directions for the Nationals The offer to do this was subsequently withdrawn which leaves the future of the Nationals in limbo for the moment There is an opportunity for us to run a large Signature Event in NSW and the ANSW committee would welcome any suggestions you might have as to a location and venue also the types of models that could be involved The Financial Accounts of the MAAA have been audited and were accepted at the meeting These along with the Treasurerrsquos Report and some basic pie charts will be published for the information of members

Page | 9


There is a bid in with the FAI to host the 2023 World F3A Championships at Casino Preliminary planning is well underway as with the submission outline and as the bid develops we will be able to provide more information Regarding the Working with Children Checks for MAAA Instructors there is some significant variance between states and in certain jurisdictions it would also include the Club Executives We are seeking some clarification around our legal obligations within NSW and will advise when we receive the information The MAAA Executive Council resolved to leave it to each State Body to manage in line with their own State requirements The MAAA Strategic Plan is due for review and we will be contributing to that process with involvement from other states in the next few months In reviewing Area Approvals there are currently 189 fields with an Area Approval and or a height exemption out the 350 clubs within the MAAA There are changes to the material CASA requires for an application and these are available from me if your club is making an application A significant element is the risk of fire and how you mitigate it when operating above 400rsquoAGL Stakeholder Engagement and their approval is required for any land that you overfly The Risk Assessment templates can be completed in either Word or Excel and I have templates for both On a personal note I would like to thank all the kind wishes following my recent surgery I am back better than ever and looking to do much more building and flying in 2020 On behalf of my family to all of our members have a safe Christmas and a great New Year Enjoy the time with your family and friends The volunteers on the ANSW Committee will be looking to spend time with their families and take a break too I would ask that you please respect this time and leave any non-urgent issues till mid-January There has been a lot of work done behind the scenes that is lost in the day to day of running Aeromodellers NSW Tim Secretary Clive Weatherhead Irsquod like to thank all of the club representatives and aeromodellers who I have had dealings with in the last few months Almost without exception they have been cheerful co-operative and have led to successful outcomes and I am very appreciative of that approach There has been a large amount of paper-pushing (mostly electronic ldquopaperrdquo) following the various changes coming from CASA though MAAA to us at a state level including the registration of flying locations and a massive push on area approvals and people have been very tolerant of our questions and the workload imposed by the changes Thank you On a personal note I would like to extend my thanks to the ANSW committee and the people willing to take on special functions for their state members We walk a fine line between the good old-fashioned joy of aeromodelling and living in an age where litigation and regulation and fighting for the upper hand Daryl Woolfe has volunteered for the role of Safety Officer for NSW a role that is required now as part of honouring the obligations of the MAAA Deed of Agreement with CASA Daryl has added new thinking and a fresh outlook to our ANSW activity as has Dino Riebolge in his efforts to assist with the acquisition of a second state flying field which will give our members an opportunity to have a world-class facility for events fly-ins and weekend flying getaways

Page | 10


We hope that we are doing things right for all our members and we always welcome feedback and involvement as well as any opportunity to come and have a fly and meet new clubs and members around the state Thank you all for your support in 2019 and a note of appreciation for the committee executive and caretakers at each of our clubs Their work is often subtle and not always noticed but our clubs wouldnrsquot run and we wouldnrsquot be flying there without those efforts All the best for 2020 Clive Vice President Greg Hoy Provided an update on two potential land acquisitions which had been stopped during the review process See other business in these minutes concerning current activity to acquire a 2nd state field Registrar Dave Lewis

Predicting that we may end the current renewal year at close to 2100

Page | 11


Newsletter editor Rob Masters

Page | 12


Public Relations Officer Aranka Nolan Reported on an increase in usage of the ANSW website which will require a review of current and required bandwidth to accommodate this Clubs not yet on the website but wishing to be included should contact Aranka with location club description and contact information The aeromodelling radio show is sponsored until February A decision will need to be made on whether this is continued thereafter New badge formats were shown to the meeting

Page | 13


Chief Flying Instructor George Atkinson Several courses have been conducted in the last few months There will be more in the New Year No more are planned for 2019 If you wish to attend a course please email me and I will get back to you with further details Just a quick reminder all completed Wings forms should be forwarded to your Club Secretary the ANSW Secretary ANSW Registrar or myself for processing in the shortest time (in general the Club Secretary andor Registrar should receive a copy anyway) I would like to take this opportunity to wish all modellers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year with lots of safe and enjoyable flying I hope Santa will be kind to you all and we see lots of new ldquotoysrdquo George State Flying Field Cootamundra Club Noted receipt of a message of thanks from Trevor Smith AEFA for the use of the Cootamundra facilities Fields Greg HoyDino Riebolge See new business item ndash update on process Motion That the Committee Management Committee and Memberrsquos reports be accepted Moved NSW Pylon Seconded WRCS Carried

Page | 14


Awards

Awards MAAA power fixed wing Name Club MAAA number Class Dale Yutuc HEMFC 85962 Silver George Katopodis HMAS 73686 Silver Wayne Tonks LMMAC 87112 Bronze MAAA glider Name Club MAAA number Class MAAA helicopter Name Club MAAA number Class Steven Magor WRCS 87163 Silver MAAA multirotor Name Club MAAA number Class MAAA Instructor certification or recertification

No Gold Wing nominations to be ratified General and New Business

1 Discussion item ndash update on search for a state field

2 72nd MAAA Nationals 2020 ndash cancelled Future of nationals under discussion

3 Warbirds Over Scone 2020 Information item and discussion It was previously agreed that static displays at events such as this should form part of the event calendar This event to be tied-in with a country meeting if possible No update since Oct 19 Will be dealt with in 2020 calendar

Page | 15


4 Discussion item ndash flying bans during total fire bans It was noted that CASA AC101-03 states that aircraft powered by LiPos should not be flown during a total fire ban This may not be widely known but several large clubs have recently taken steps to ban flying of all aircraft types during a total fire ban and all clubs are encouraged to consider this issue seriously

5 Standing item ndash any incident reports or safety issues reported during the last 2 months a One new fire incident has been indicated but not yet formally reported b MAAA MOP001 requires that ldquothat all accidents and incidents that have the potential to

result in an insurance claim are reported recorded and processed in the correct mannerrdquo Forms for this are available from the MAAA website or from State Secretaries Each state body has a safety office (Daryl Woolfe for ANSW) who participates at a federal level to ensure that incidents are correctly reported and that any learningsactions resulting from them are circulated to all clubs via state bodies to help make our hobby safer

c Daryl Woolfe ndash suggestions on safety procedures and documentation to be drafted and circulated in a future ANSW newsletter

6 Note of thanks from Lismore Club in relation to ANSW support in grant funding for essential field

repairs

7 Greg Hoy reported on a CASA grant application to enable ANSW to purchase infrastructure and equipment to run pop-up stalls at events and in public locations to provide information on aeromodelling drone andFPV flying safety and flight simulators to create interest and attract new members

8 Noted that CASA registration and pilot accreditation for drones likely to be 2022 or early 2023

9 Following a recent incident involving accusations of bullying at a club it was noted that MAAA MOP041 requires that appropriate people be available to act as a point of contact for members who have complaints or allegations MOP041 deals with issues such as respect in communications ethics the prevention of bullying harassment or abuse instructor code of conduct and child protection guidelines

Motion That Dave Lewis (ANSW Registrar) be appointed ANSW Member Protection Information Officer

Moved HMAS Seconded WPMAC Carried

10 Future of 36mhz band ndash MAAA information published below for the interest of members The current Frequency allocation for Radio controlled models is published with ACMA httpswwwlegislationgovauDetailsF2015L00497 In 2015 the MAAA provided significant information data analysis and proposal for the maintaining of mhz range for radio controlled models The submission was lengthy and detailed and the 2002 legislation was revoked and new legislation registered as per the link above in 2015 Based on the representation on MAAA the sunset clause date for the current Section 132 of the Radio communications Act is Oct 2025 for the allocation of 2936mhz bands as have historically been provided

Page | 16


11 The next general meeting will be held at Dooleyrsquos Waterview and will be Friday 7th February

2020 at 800pm Note ndash this meeting is one week earlier than usual so as not to clash with Valentinersquos Day for all the romantics out there

Motion That the items of general and new business above be recorded as discussed

Moved WRCS Seconded ROW Carried

There being no further business before the meeting the meeting was declared closed at 858pm

Page | 17


Aeromodellers NSW 201920 Calendar (Compiled 20 December 2019)

Unless otherwise advised Aeromodellers NSW Meetings are held the 2nd Friday of every other Month

December 2019 29 Wings over the Regatta C entre Penrith Tim Nolan 0412 173 440 29 Gosford City Float Planes Kariong Jaz Cooper 0411 053 339

January 2020

12 NSWPF Precision Aerobatics (CVRCMAS) Camden Alastair Bennetts 0439 480 793 25-27 40th Armidale Sailplane Expo Armidale Hutton Oddy 0425 285 758

February 2020

14 Aeromodellers NSW General Mtg Silverwater Tim Nolan 0412 173 440 Dooleys Waterview

15-16 NSWPF Precision Aerobatics (SMFC) Shoalhaven Alastair Bennetts 0439 480 793 22-23 Orange MAC Annual Banjo Patterson Scale Rally Borenore Steve Smedley 0418 577 834 Check out the 2019 Banjo Patterson Scale Rally at httpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=M_4qCwOVhgUampauthuser=0

March 2020

7-8 Hunter Valley Champs Muswellbrook Cory Eustace 0429 090 686 14-15 NSWPF Precision Aerobatics (QMAC) Queanbeyan Alastair Bennetts 0439 480 793

April 2020

18-19 NSWPF Precision Aerobatics (CKSMAC) RichmondPitt Town Alastair Bennetts 0439 480 793 May 2020

16-17 Veterans Gathering Muswellbrook Cory Eustace 0429 090 686 16-17 COMSOA Scale Funfly Maitland Jason Russ 0414 505 212 16-17 NSWPF Precision Aerobatics (SRCS) Gunderman Alastair Bennetts 0439 480 793

June 2020

20-21 NSWPF Precision Aerobatics (RFC) Newcastle Alastair Bennetts 0439 480 793 July 2020

18-19 NSWPF Precision Aerobatics (CVRCMAS) Camden Alastair Bennetts 0439 480 793 August 2020 15-16 TARMAC Scale Rally Tamworth Richard Exler 0438 314882 September 2020 12-13 NSWPF Precision Aerobatics (GDA) Gunnedah Alastair Bennetts 0439 480 793 October 2020

17-18 NSWPF Precision Aerobatics (CKSMAC) RichmondPitt Town Alastair Bennetts 0439 480 793 November 2020 14-15 NSWPF State Champs (SMFC) Shoalhaven Alastair Bennetts 0439 480 793

Page | 18


Club News amp General Interest

NSW Precision Aerobatic Championships - Nov 2019

The NSW Pattern Flyers held this event on November 16 amp 17 at the home field of Charles Kingsford Smith Model Aircraft Club at Pitt Town on the North-western outskirts of the Sydney metro area

The host Clubrsquos field was prepared to perfection but the threat of closure due to potential Total Fire Bans were making it difficult for entrants to finalise their travel and accommodation arrangements

The weather and bushfire forecasts were showing a positive opportunity for the two days of the weekend and the location of the field amongst lush green turf farms gave us hope that we could hold the event and with luck have no restrictions

The Friday was classified a Total Fire Ban day by the Rural Fire Service and the host Clubrsquos policy of ldquono flyingrdquo when TFBs are in effect caused a few entrants to reconsider their options which ultimately caused their withdrawal The long distance entrants maintained their faith in the forecasts so we had travellers from Albury Canberra and Newcastle make the effort

The Saturday was much cooler than Friday thanks to a cool change that moved over the area during the Friday night conditions were great

Flying got underway with the F3A International Class up first

Page | 19


Jason Arnold was flying his recently completed Allure Biplane from the design board of Brian Hebert and only having two short flights before the weekend was still coming to grips with the different lsquofeelrdquo of the biplane compared to his previous monoplane

Phil Spence (Canberra) and Chris Henry (Albury) both flew ldquoElementrdquos from the BJ CraftAndrew Jesky stable Philrsquos has a custom mixture of greens on a white base which he calls ldquoSlimerdquo Chrisrsquos was a more convention BJ Craft colour scheme Both were direct drive electric powered

Kahl Eckersley (Sydney RCS) was flying an ldquoEpic+rdquo design from CA Models in Argentina with a Brenner dual propeller Contra drive this combination along with Kahlrsquos flying skills resulted in a nice consistent speed envelope very nice

Brian McGowan (Camden valley) flew his direct drive BJ Craft ldquoInvitationrdquo whilst I flew a Sebart ldquoWindrdquo which was generously offered by Felix Nieuwenhuizen following the loss of my model the week before What a legend he is Thanks mate

Kahl really set the pattern (no pun intended) for this class by flying smoothly and precisely

Expert Class was next in the air Gavin Fitz-Henry and Felix Nieuwenhuizen (both from Camden Valley RCMAS) both flying a John Payne designed ldquoTempestrdquo with direct drive fought this one out Gavin was scoring higher than his usual scores and was flying very well

The Advanced Class consisted of Con Kryiakides from Newcastle (Rebel FC) once again campaigning his YS powered ldquoGalactikardquo from OxaiPaysant Le Rue and Alastair Bennetts (Sydney RCS) flying his newly completed ldquoBitsardquo Con had motor problems which resulted in his withdrawal from the competition but did a sterling job of helping out by fulfilling his judging duties (Thanks Con)

The small field of pilots meant that we easily progressed through Saturday without any hurry or stress we achieved four rounds for each of the pilots The day had started with a reasonable amount of smoke haze and ended with a high level of cloud that really put a smile on Gavin Fitz-Henryrsquos face He has been waiting all year for such conditions and flew exceptionally well so much that he wanted to continue when the rest of us were ready to finish for the day

The two ldquostand outsrdquo of the day were Gavin and Kahl Eckersley both these guys had their ldquoacts togetherrdquo and put together really nice flights which the judges liked and scores reflected

Saturday night was ldquosocialrdquo night (as usual) and most entrants had dinner and drinks at the oldest pub in Australia before heading off to their accommodation

Sunday was definitely cooler a few jackets came out of the cars until the sun warmed everyone the wind was blowing ldquoinrdquo and was making the flights just a little testing

We finished another two rounds (six flights makes a full competition) Kahl and Gavin were still the ones to study however everyone was putting in good flights and scores

The event finished up earlier than usual and there were smiles all around Scores places and promotion Points were all calculated by the trusty scoring system and then we had the presentation of Certificates (Trophies)

Page | 20


The Results

Advanced 1st Alastair Bennetts 2000

Expert 1st Gavin Fitz-Henry 5000 average 36822 Promotion Point achieved

2nd Felix Nieuwenhuizen 4368

F3A 1st Kahl Eckersley 5137

2nd Jason Arnold 4986

3rd Phil Spence 4853

4th Brian McGowan 4849

5th Chris Henry 4758

6TH Tom Collinge 4713

A number of visitors called in during the weekend to talk and watch the planes and we really welcome such enthusiasts as it gives people a first-hand exposure to our Special Interest Group

Please visit wwwnswpforgau for more detailed score sheets and photos

We welcome enquiries from interested pilots especially if you are trying to improve your flying skills We encourage Club Committees to consider our Pattern Orientation Days (POD) where we hope to ldquoenlightenrdquo your members

Page | 21


The Shepherdmdasha Canadian Christmas Classic Found on the web at ldquoVintage Wings of Canadardquo ndash be sure to click on the link at the end of the story

to hear ldquoFiresiderdquo Al Maitland and his iconic recording from nearly four decades ago It is still broadcast every Christmas Eve on CBC

httpwwwvintagewingscaVintageNewsStoriestabid116articleTypeArticleViewarticleId206The-Shepherda-Canadian-Christmas-Classicaspx

Itrsquos Christmas Eve and though just early evening the dim light of winter is long receded replaced by the orange vapour darkness of an urban night Outside my house a Canadian hibernal front descends like a northern spirit to hush the city under a blanket of snow Pressing my forehead against the windowpane I feel the cold scrabbling at the glass and hear the faint swish of a trillion snowflakes crashing onto Adelaide Street High above the walk veils of snow sift across the streetlightrsquos reach Itrsquos a Christmas Eve most see only in greeting cards and the cinema Itrsquos a Canadian Silent Night On nights like this I am envious of no one

Behind me in the living room a fire snaps loudly and cheerfully flings a spatter of embers at the fireplace screen Light flares over my shoulder and I turn towards it with three fingers of Bushmillrsquos in my hand Firelight throws an aurora borealis of shadow and light across the darkened room and onto the walls and ceiling Along the mantle hangs the gleam of twenty-six silver Christmas ornaments dangling on red and green satin ribbons each an annual gift from the family of a Mississippi fighter pilot friend They represent to me what is wonderful about life and friends and aviation

I watch my two beautiful daughters coming down the staircase now dressed in their pyjamas and happy to be home They skip past the glow of our little Christmas tree with the froth of wrapped gifts piling from its base and fight in jest over which couch they will occupy They bring their pillows as they have always done and drag their duvets behind them like children They are not children however They are now beautiful serene and grounded women living on their own But tonight they are home with me and Susan and about to share a tradition that for them goes back as far as they can remember Itrsquos the night of The Shepherd

Itrsquos a very lonely place the sky even more so the sky on a

winterrsquos night A single-seater jet fighter is a lonely home a tiny steel box held aloft on stubby wings hurled through freezing emptiness by a blazing tube throwing out the strength of six

thousand horses every second that it burns Each Christmas Eve since it was first read nearly four decades ago the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation plays a recording of a forty-minute broadcast of Frederick Forsythrsquos supernatural and haunting ghost story called The Shepherd Forsyth known worldwide for such fast-paced thrillers as The Day of the Jackal and Dogs of War wrote The Shepherd in a day as a Christmas gift to his wife As it turned out it was a Christmas gift to the world to Canada and to my daughters One we have enjoyed together more than any

Page | 22


The story cannot be explained or reviewed in finer terms than the stunningly perfect words Forsyth chose to tell it in and relating its beauty simplicity and imagery cannot convey its power over my family and our lives So I will not try It is simply the short story of a Royal Air Force fighter pilot flying a de Havilland Vampire jet fighter back home from Germany in the winter of 1957 It is Christmas Eve in the story as it is tonight and the unknown pilot is trying to get home for Christmas when everything that could go wrong does He finds himself over the North Sea at night in winter in the clag and without radio navigational aid or time When all is lost and his fuel has thundered out the exhaust pipe and prayer is the only backup system still functioning a ghostly silhouette of a de Havilland Mosquito fighter-bomber rises from the fog bank below him And from this point the finest-told ghost story of all time rises out of the mists along with the dark shape of the Mosquito

The small painting of the moment the Vampire pilot sees The

Shepherd emerging along with hope from the North Sea cloud My daughter gave me this nearly 8 years ago Appropriately it

was a Christmas gift For the next forty minutes we are transported into the darkest of nights over the North Sea We listen as a young manrsquos life unravels around him and his desperation rises My daughters pull their duvets tighter under their chins and I draw down on the whiskey The fire dies as the story is told We do not move from our chairs or our personal thoughts and images Each of us watches the same story with different eyes and emotions That is the wonder of a radio play I know what I see when the young pilot looks at the ghostly silhouette of the shepherd in the Mosquitorsquos cockpit I see clearly his hand signals and in the dark I make them myself I often wonder what my daughters see Over a decade ago my eldest daughter an art student at the time painted for me a sketch of what she saw when she heard The Shepherd The gift was not just the little painting but the knowledge that

these Eves before Christmas Day spent by the fire light listening to a familiar tale meant as much to my daughters as they did to me My younger daughter even wears a tattoo of a de Havilland Mosquito on her skin Thats proof to me that those moments we shared in the darkness at our home listening to The Shepherd are now part of our family DNA

And then he came up towards me swinging in towards my left-

hand wing tip I could make out the black hulk of him against the dim white sheet of fog below

Wersquove listened to it dozens of times now but still it grips us raising the hairs on the backs of our necks We sit in the dark lit by firelight and the glow of the FM tuner and float in the darkness on the waves of chilling words that swell through the night By now we can almost recite the story word for word but we donrsquot preferring to shiver at the same places and smile in the darkness at the same placemdashldquoNot Jig King but Johnny Kavanaughrdquo My youngest daughter always gives a snort of laughter along with me at this pivotal momentmdashnot for any humour but for the staccato alliteration of its delivery Such is Forsythrsquos skill that we see the barely distinguishable shape emerging from the cloud bank below we hear the icy howl of the Goblin engine we feel the ldquoBam Bam Bammity-bam rumble rumblerdquo of the fog-bound Minton runway The broadcast of The Shepherd is for my family and many thousands like it across Canada the quintessential Christmas story second to nonemdashnot Charles Dickensrsquo A Christmas Carol nor O Henryrsquos The Gift of the Magi The story was first read on the air on Christmas Eve in 1979 by CBC broadcaster ldquoFiresiderdquo Al Maitland and his iconic recording from nearly four

Page | 23


decades ago is still broadcast every Christmas Eve by CBC on As it Happens the nightly radio show it originally aired on This classic Canadian radio newsmagazine is still broadcast nightly from Monday to Friday so if Christmas falls on a Sunday or Monday The Shepherd is heard not on Christmas Eve but on the last show before ChristmasmdashFriday night

Without warning the shepherd pointed a single forefinger at me then forward through the windscreen It meant ldquoThere you are fly on and landrdquo I stared forward through the now streaming windscreen Nothing Then yes something A blur to the left

another to the right then two one each side Ringed with haze there were lights either side of me in pairs flashing past I forced

my eyes to see what lay between them Nothing blackness Frederick Forsyth was himself a National Service Royal Air Force Vampire pilot during the early 1950smdashin fact the youngest in the RAF at the time He was interviewed on ldquoAs it Happensrdquo on one Christmas Eve just prior to the airing of Maitlandrsquos much loved recordingmdashas a gift of love from his fellow broadcasters to Fireside Al who was ill at the time He died not long after If you want to imagine what this radio play feels like think of Itrsquos a Wonderful Life meets The Spirit of St Louis meets Red Sovinersquos classic Country Western ballad Big Joe and Phantom 309 The Shepherd is for me one of but a few threads of family tradition left unbroken by happenstance life changes and letting go There is something about the music Maitland chose the voices he animates the characters with and the whole world of imaginationmdasha sky full of possibilitiesmdashthat lays open before our closed

eyes in that darkened room on that special night in my childrenrsquos childhood home As the story ends and a tale of courage is told Susan my daughters and I are left silent at the end While the music drifts away into the dark we all lie there with our thoughts and I know I feel as they domdashthat perhaps we are left a bit lonely and saddened knowing that a brave young man still flies the foggy night skies over the North Seamdashnever to come home never to be warmed by fire or by love In those final moments I sense in the faint light of a fire long since reduced to embers the true nature of the supreme sacrifice so many young men made so long ago Young men who put the 20000 beautiful days they were still due and the next 60 Christmases on the line for freedom and friends It hurts to feel it in your gullet but it is a beautiful thing regardless

By the time the two headlights came groping out of the mist I felt

frozen The lights stopped twenty feet from the motionless Vampire dwarfed by the fighterrsquos bulk A voice called lsquoHallo

therersquo When all is said and done there is one great role a father can play for his daughters That is to protect them to bring them solace and hope to lead them and to support them - to show them the way To be a Shepherd If you canrsquot be by your radio on Christmas Eve to hear The Shepherd here is a link to enjoy it anytime A hint for full enjoyment Turn the lights off and pour yourself a single malt

Page | 24


Upcoming Events

Gosford City Aeromodellers Club ndash 2019 Regular Events

Page | 25


2020 Banjo Patterson Scale Rally ndash 22-23 February

Page | 26


2020 Banjo Patterson Scale Rally Location

Page | 27


COMSOA Scale Fun Fly ndash 16-17 May

COMSOA SCALE FUN FLY 16thand 17th MAY 2020 AT COMSOArsquos FLYING FIELD AT EAST MAITLAND OFF RAYMOND TERRACE ROAD

Saturday the 16th-- Gate will be open about 0700 Flying can commence after 0830 Fly as much as you wish Registration starting after 0900 Sunday the 17th Gate open about 0700 flying after 0830 and will be slightly different this year by separating Biplanes and Monoplanes in the over 7KG categories Judging will be by entrants on Sunday CATEGORIES-- MILITARY UNDER AND OVER 7 KG --CIVILIAN UNDER AND OVER 7kg - JETS and SPORTS MODEL Prizes 1st 2ndand 3rd in all categories plus Model of the Meeting

If you are intending to participate please PRE ENTER if possible There is no problem changing your model entry on the weekend if required Pre entry draw cut-off date is Thursday the 14th MAY 2019

Entry for the weekend is $30 Entry fee includes lunch on Saturday and Sunday If pre entering pay on the weekend MAAA Membership cards and Heavy ModelTurbine Permits will need to be sighted Free tea and coffee Cold drinks on sale all weekend VISIT OUR WEB SITE wwwcomsoacom for up to date info for the event and about our club

AN ENTRY FORM is on our web site it is a very easy to use electronically submittable form Also there is a blank form which can be printed and posted or transmitted by attaching to an email to scalefunflycomsoacom If Mailing and for general inquiries - Jason Russ 75 Clyde Circuit Raymond Terrace 2324 Phone 0414505212

Page | 28


Deadline for submissions to Newsletter 425 (February 2020) is

Friday 31st January 2020 Note There will be no Newsletter in January

Please forward any changes of mail or email address together with your

AUS Number directly to the Registrar davelewisinternodeonnet

Page | 2


Contents Contents 2 Diary Notes 3 Contacts 3 General Bi-Monthly Management Committee Meeting Minutes 4 Aeromodellers NSW 201920 Calendar 17 Club News amp General Interest 18

NSW Precision Aerobatic Championships - Nov 2019 18 The Shepherdmdasha Canadian Christmas Classic 21

Upcoming Events 24 Gosford City Aeromodellers Club ndash 2019 Regular Events 24 2020 Banjo Patterson Scale Rally ndash 22-23 February 25 COMSOA Scale Fun Fly ndash 16-17 May 27

It is requested that all Clubs and their members note the advice at Item 4 (Pg 15) of General and New Business regarding CASA AC101-03 covering flying of LiPo powered aircraft during total fire bans

Page | 3



Contacts President


Vice Pres


Secretary


0404 826 880



Registrar


02 4736 2611 0439 264 220

Newsletter Editor


0418 160 295



0419 540 104

CFI


Deputy CFI North


Deputy CFI South


Join us on Facebook


Page | 4












Page | 5


Correspondence



No action required







Info only





















Page | 6









For record only
















Processed


Processed


Page | 7










Ongoing


Info only




Page | 8



Page | 9



Page | 10




Page | 11



Page | 12



Page | 13



Page | 14


Awards






Page | 15







repairs







Page | 16







Page | 17





January 2020


February 2020



March 2020


April 2020



June 2020




Page | 18










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Page | 20


The Results













Page | 21











Page | 22










Page | 23










Page | 24


Upcoming Events


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Page | 26



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Page | 3



Contacts President


Vice Pres


Secretary


0404 826 880



Registrar


02 4736 2611 0439 264 220

Newsletter Editor


0418 160 295



0419 540 104

CFI


Deputy CFI North


Deputy CFI South


Join us on Facebook


Page | 4












Page | 5


Correspondence



No action required







Info only





















Page | 6









For record only
















Processed


Processed


Page | 7










Ongoing


Info only




Page | 8



Page | 9



Page | 10




Page | 11



Page | 12



Page | 13



Page | 14


Awards






Page | 15







repairs







Page | 16







Page | 17





January 2020


February 2020



March 2020


April 2020



June 2020




Page | 18










Page | 19















Page | 20


The Results













Page | 21











Page | 22










Page | 23










Page | 24


Upcoming Events


Page | 25



Page | 26



Page | 27








Page | 28






Page | 4












Page | 5


Correspondence



No action required







Info only





















Page | 6









For record only
















Processed


Processed


Page | 7










Ongoing


Info only




Page | 8



Page | 9



Page | 10




Page | 11



Page | 12



Page | 13



Page | 14


Awards






Page | 15







repairs







Page | 16







Page | 17





January 2020


February 2020



March 2020


April 2020



June 2020




Page | 18










Page | 19















Page | 20


The Results













Page | 21











Page | 22










Page | 23










Page | 24


Upcoming Events


Page | 25



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Page | 27








Page | 28






Page | 5


Correspondence



No action required







Info only





















Page | 6









For record only
















Processed


Processed


Page | 7










Ongoing


Info only




Page | 8



Page | 9



Page | 10




Page | 11



Page | 12



Page | 13



Page | 14


Awards






Page | 15







repairs







Page | 16







Page | 17





January 2020


February 2020



March 2020


April 2020



June 2020




Page | 18










Page | 19















Page | 20


The Results













Page | 21











Page | 22










Page | 23










Page | 24


Upcoming Events


Page | 25



Page | 26



Page | 27








Page | 28






Page | 6









For record only
















Processed


Processed


Page | 7










Ongoing


Info only




Page | 8



Page | 9



Page | 10




Page | 11



Page | 12



Page | 13



Page | 14


Awards






Page | 15







repairs







Page | 16







Page | 17





January 2020


February 2020



March 2020


April 2020



June 2020




Page | 18










Page | 19















Page | 20


The Results













Page | 21











Page | 22










Page | 23










Page | 24


Upcoming Events


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Page | 28






Page | 7










Ongoing


Info only




Page | 8



Page | 9



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Awards






Page | 15







repairs







Page | 16







Page | 17





January 2020


February 2020



March 2020


April 2020



June 2020




Page | 18










Page | 19















Page | 20


The Results













Page | 21











Page | 22










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Page | 24


Upcoming Events


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Page | 8



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Awards






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repairs







Page | 16







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January 2020


February 2020



March 2020


April 2020



June 2020




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The Results













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Upcoming Events


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Awards






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repairs







Page | 16







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January 2020


February 2020



March 2020


April 2020



June 2020




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The Results













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Upcoming Events


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Page | 10




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Awards






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repairs







Page | 16







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January 2020


February 2020



March 2020


April 2020



June 2020




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The Results













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Upcoming Events


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Awards






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repairs







Page | 16







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January 2020


February 2020



March 2020


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June 2020




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The Results













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Upcoming Events


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Awards






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repairs







Page | 16







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January 2020


February 2020



March 2020


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The Results













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Upcoming Events


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Page | 13



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Awards






Page | 15







repairs







Page | 16







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January 2020


February 2020



March 2020


April 2020



June 2020




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The Results













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Upcoming Events


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Awards






Page | 15







repairs







Page | 16







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January 2020


February 2020



March 2020


April 2020



June 2020




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The Results













Page | 21











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Upcoming Events


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repairs







Page | 16







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January 2020


February 2020



March 2020


April 2020



June 2020




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The Results













Page | 21











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Upcoming Events


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Page | 16







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January 2020


February 2020



March 2020


April 2020



June 2020




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The Results













Page | 21











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Upcoming Events


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January 2020


February 2020



March 2020


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June 2020




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The Results













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Upcoming Events


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Documents

Newsletter 424 – December 2019