Malta Model Aircraft
Flying Association

introduced to ModelFlight by Mario Micallef

It would appear that Malta Model Aircraft Flying Association had its beginnings around 1952, when a small group of enthusiasts came together to form the Sliema Aero Club. The local lads in this group had, as teenagers, been members of the Air Scout Group when they had delved into the hobby with whatever materials and contacts they could lay their hands on. When they formed their club, they were joined by a sprinkling of service personnel, mostly from the Royal Air Force which, at that time, had a fully operational base on the island. Mostly due to the influence of these personnel, permission was granted for them to use an airfield called Ta' Qali for flying their models when full-size aircraft were not being flown. The Association's flying site is still at Ta' Qali, where they now use the northern end of a disused tarmac runway (click the pic for a closer look).

Joe Cassar, one of the founder members of the club, recalls those early days when aeromodellers were not grouped together under one club but used to meet in various places around the island for control line flying, with some sites operating in a very organised manner. The models were very elaborate, and apart from the aerobatic types, some excellent scale models were also flown. I haven't come across scale control line before, and just could not resist including this wonderful picture from MMAFA's archives - it shows John Cassar and helper with a fantastic looking control line Catalina and was taken in 1952. Click the thumbnail for a slightly enlarged view.

In the mid-sixties, the airfield became surplus to RAF requirements and the Association Committee managed to acquire the use of the southern end of the Ta' Qali runway until they were ousted by developers in 1974. However, they successfully negotiated for the north end of the disused runway which they have managed to retain to this day.

The Association has gone from strength to strength over the years. In the early nineties, the idea of an open day event was developed and originated from a Concours D'Elegance originally sponsored by Air Malta, the national airline. The open day became an annual event from 1993 and attracts a large number of spectators. During the two-day event, the Association gives various displays of the different types of models flown by members and has also roped in other organisations connected with aviation - including helicopters and light aircraft from the Armed Forces of Malta and exhibits from the Aviation Museum Foundation.

Malta Model Aircraft Flying Association now has about 120 members, issues its own official newsletter, Newsbeat, and has its own website.

This is the homepage of the Association's website, which is still undergoing some degree of construction. The site carries pages covering the origins of the Association, from which my little potted history above was taken, details of the flying site location, information about Malta and a gallery of pictures of models of yesterday and today.There is also a bit of a 'rogues gallery' under construction from which it will be possible to learn a bit more about various members of the club.

The club site is at http://www.geocities.com/Pipeline/Curb/3708

Flying Cardinals of Northern Kentucky

It was way back on ModelFlight #16 that we paid a virtual visit to this great club via their website, to which member Marty Hammersmith had introduced me. New webmaster, Bud Hornsby, has just reminded me of that and informs me of changes to the site, plus the appointment of new officers at the club.

This is a large club compared to many, with something like 140 members and quite a few family groups. They have an interesting calendar of events with a Club Picnic and Nightfly campout coming up in May, for example - bring a covered dish or dessert are the instructions - sounds tasty!

When we visited the club website in August 2000, the Newsletter and Events pages were empty, but all is complete now. As well as managing the website, I see that Bud is also editor of the club's Newsletter, Propwash, which can now be viewed on the site. Propwash carries a letter from the club President, Tom Scherder, plus club meeting Minutes and general news. From the current issue I see that Flying Cardinals is privileged to have at least one of those rare and elusive lady flyers amongst its members - this is Tressea Hammersmith (any relation to Marty?) with her new Take It Easy electric sailplane. How about introducing yourself with a personal profile, Tressea?

Also on the site are pages about the club, directions, a list of members, links (with a very nice one to ModelFlight, I might add!), a guestbook and a new Message Board that Bud has just put up. Oh, and the page I love the most and never miss - Pictures! One or two have found their way on to our photo gallery, of course!

Nice club, nice website, nice people by the sound of 'em - it would be equally nice to meet a few more here on ModelFlight!

Take a visit - go to http://www.flyingcardinals.org