Palmerston North Aeroneers
Model Aero Club (Inc)
Postal address: PO Box 800,
Palmerston North, New Zealand
Welcome
to the fascinating world of Aeromodelling!
A
Sport ! ............ A Hobby !
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NOTE: This site is currently being redesigned.
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The information given on
these pages is especially oriented towards newcomers to the hobby.
E-mail enquiries are welcome (see address at end of this page).
About the Club
The Palmerston North
Aeroneers is a Club which fosters and encourages the building and flying of
model aircraft. The Club began in September 1946 as the "Manawatu Model
Aeroplane Club", and its original Secretary, Mr Russ Johnson, is still
active in the Club.
The
Club is affiliated to the New Zealand Model Aeronautical Association (NZMAA),
the governing body for all model flying in New Zealand, which in turn is
affiliated to the F.A.I. through the Royal New Zealand Aero Club.
Office-holders
A Committee is elected each
year at the Annual General Meeting of members held in February. The main
office-holders are President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Public
Relations Officer, and Bulletin Editor.
Membership
The Club enjoys a strong
following of around 60 members flying mostly radio-controlled aircraft.
Competitions in various classes such as aerobatics, scale, 2-metre glider, and
vintage are held throughout the year. There is currently a strong interest in
both aerobatics and gliding, with regular contests being held. A number of
members are slope soaring enthusiasts who seek out their favourite hilltop
sites around the Manawatu on Sunday afternoons.
Flying Site
The Club's flying site is
located at Spur Road West, near Colyton, about 20 minutes drive from the
Palmerston North city boundary. The site has both the approval of Civil
Aviation, and a Resource Consent from the local authority. It is a listed model
aircraft danger zone (D324) which allows flights up to a ceiling of 1500ft A.M.S.L.
or nearly 1100ft A.G.L.
Flying
activity takes place every Sunday morning, and visitors are invited to view
this activity. Flight training is offered to new members free of charge, using
dual control radio transmitters. A glider and a powered aircraft are available
for training purposes. After going solo, trainees are encouraged to attain a
certain standard of proficiency which entitles the trainee to receive the Wings
Proficiency Badge.
Click here to learn more about the Club's
Training Facilities
Large Events
A public "Open
Day" is held once a year. This replaces the former "Scale
Classic" which attracted scale model enthusiasts from other Clubs in the
lower North Island. Past events have seen some quite spectacular models, with
multi-engined and turbine-powered models creating great interest among the
spectators.
Club Meetings
Monthly club meetings are
held on the 4th Thursday evening, usually with a guest speaker, and members are
encouraged to bring along their latest building project for a "Show and
Tell" session. Social events include the occasional barbecue and an annual
dinner and prizegiving.
How Do I Join?
If you are interested in
joining the Club you may contact the Secretary, Fred Harris, phone (06) 355
0982, or come along to our flying site at Spur Road any Sunday morning.
Alternatively, you may print the membership application forms here,
or e-mail your request to the Secretary: edwards.harris@xtra.co.nz. Please
include your postal address in your message.
