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The majority of those flying at Fleet - on what they describe as a relatively small and challenging field - are flying i/c power models but, as with most clubs these days, there is an increasing number specialising in electric power and gliding.

The club currently has vacancies for more junior members and a short waiting list, regularly reviewed, for senior members. The club does not cater for model helicopter flying. Flying can take place at the club field on three weekdays and Saturdays and Sundays each week.

Compared to most of the clubs I have checked out so far, Fleet and District MAC have an unusually active social calendar which includes a good number of social events amongst their regular monthly meetings, in addition to those solely for the enthusiastic model flyer. Amongst their activities, for instance, I noticed a disco, pig racing - nothing to do with living porkers, we're assured, and batteries are apparently required! - live music, karaoke and a disco and buffet.

The club website is an extremely professional looking piece of work - overseen by 'Web Monkey' Dominic Mitchell. Club Secretary, Ian Savage used that term to describe Dominic on our last issue and I see that is how he is also referred to on the site - it's a new one on me! It is quite a 'dynamic' site - not littered with animated gifs, but using some clever scrolling text and rather smart 'Flash' type graphics to access sub-sections within the main pages. It also features a unique reusable content management system, which allows members to make direct input to certain areas of the site themselves without the need to know any Internet technology. Dominic explains something of the way the site was developed and a bit more about how its managed in the Monkey business panel on the right.

The site is a comparatively new one, having been released on 9th October. It was set up primarily for members of the club and, secondly, to share their experiences of the sport. It contains such features as member profiles, exchange - a free advertising service for members to display items for sale or required, links to various sites of interest, including the BBC weather forecast for the Fleet area and a gallery which itself is further sub-divided. There is also a secure Members' Area carrying editions of the club's quarterly magazine Flight Line and details of any changes in club policy of which members should be aware.

If you would be interested in having a similar type of site set up for your club, then Dominic offers a service and can be contacted through the site. 

Take a look, if you wish, at http://www.fdmac.org.uk