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Model Aeronautical Association of Australia


The Model Aeronautical Association of Australia Inc (MAAA) is an organisation recognised by CASA as a Recreational Aviation Administration Organisation. It has no regulatory authority conferred to it by the CASA It is affiliated to the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale through the Australian Sport Aviation Confederation. Founded in 1947, the MAAA presently has over 10,000 members down from a high of 12,000 in 2012 and total assets including flying fields, land and equipment worth more than $4 million AUD.

The MAAA is responsible for providing for its members:

The MAAA produces a quarterly newsletter called Wingspan and provides important safety updates http://www.maaa.asn.au

The MAAA offers a Wings program, teaching beginners how to safely operate radio controlled model aircraft.

Aeromodelling started in Australia in the early 1900s following the invention of the aeroplane however, it was not until the 1930s that organised modelling groups appeared. Two rival groups formed in NSW, the MAA, Model Aeroplane Association of Australia in 1930 and the MFC, Model Flying Club of Australia in 1931. The two groups merged in 1947 to become the Model Aeronautical Association of Australia or MAAA.

The first national competition was held in 1938 and was organised as entertainment to coincide with Australia's 150th Anniversary. The competition was actually called the Grand International Model Aeroplane Championships and included indoor and outdoor Free Flight models only, a total of five events. It was hoped that model flyers from the UK and USA would come to the competition however it ended up being only Australian's and New Zealander's who attended.

World War 2 prevented any further flying competitions from occurring due to ban on model flying during the war, so as such, no competitions were held between 1939 and 1947.

The 2nd Nationals did not occur until 1948 after the MAAA had formed and it included Control line which was only new at the time and the 3rd Nationals in 1950 included radio controlled models. Following the 3rd Nationals there has been a Nationals in Australia every year since organised by the State Associations on a roster basis and usually held over the Christmas/New Year break at the end of the year.


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