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National Champions decided in Wagin

Over 200 balsa wood chuck gliders, provided by the MAAA, were given to the children in the public gallery. Perhaps some young minds were ignited with a fascination for aviation and the magic of flight.

With the help of the 1st Subiaco Scout group over $1200 was collected for at the gate from the 500 spectators who attended the event. “We were surprised to find many ten and twenty dollar notes in the collection tins”, said Steve Maitland as the collection tins were emptied . This amount along with a $400.00 contribution from the pilots was donated to the Royal Flying Doctor Service who use this airstrip to ferry patients to and from the region in need of medical attention.

Spectators came from Albany, Margaret River as well as Perth and as far north as Geraldton. Another group were "grey nomads" who had been touring WA, and were in Wagin by chance. Some came from as far away as Victoria and enjoyed the spectacle. Many of the locals came hearing the sound of the aeroplanes at the airfield, only 2km from the center of Wagin.

Japanese champion, Inoue Junichi won the Freestyle event and wowed the spectators. Many watched openmouthed, saying “I never thought an aircraft could do such things”. Jun was sponsored by Wagin Shire to attend.

Western Australia’s Mark Easton won the precision part of the competition at the Unlimited Class for the second year running. Queenslander, Aaron Garle, who has competed at numerous world competitions and display events in the USA, Japan and throughout Australia, wowed the audience with his freestyle skills and was placed second in the Unlimited Class.

The ASAA awarded Queensland’s Aaron Garle its 2017 Pilot of the Year Award for his aerobatic performance and contributions over the year. David Garle received the "meritorious service award, Cameron Robinson the "Rising Star Award and Flyn Wain the "Junior pilot of the year" award.

The Shire of Wagin has encouraged our Association to make use of their Airfield. Remote-controlled model aircraft and drones are usually prohibited within 5.5km of a full-size Airfield. We’ve had a lot of assistance in getting this event organised, from Civil Aviation Safety Authority approval to Shire support and generous funding from the State Government.

The placings are:

Basic: 1^st Jeremy Lea (10,000) 2^nd Paul Dvorak (8364) 3^rd Nigel Molyneux (6540)

Sportsman 1^st Christopher Walker (9827) 2^nd David Murdock (9682) 3^rd Eddie Roux (8794)

Intermediate: 1^st Cameron Robinson (9000) 2^nd Harris Morrison (8300) 3^rd Dean Allison (8108)

Advanced: 1^st Flyn Wain (9000) 2^nd Chris Stuart (8211) 3^rd Rod O’Neil (6229)

Unlimited: 1^st Mark Easton (8948) 2^nd Aaron Garle (8754) 3^rd Inoue Junichi (8019)

Freestyle (3 rounds) 1^st Inoue Junichi (1750) 2^nd Aaron Garle (1670)

Congratulations to all place getters, especially the winners in all classes and the recipeints of the ASAA Awards.

Another thank you to the Sponsors: TourismWA/Eventscorp, Desert Aircraft Australia, BoomaRC, DLEnglines and Hobby Australia, MAAA and other donor and volunteers.

Finally a special callout to recognize the generosity of the winners of the raffle who donated their prizes to Harry Allison - a young man clearly destined to make a mark in Scale Aerobatics with the help of his dad Dean.

Peter Bryner

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2022 ASAA Nationals

Wagin Airfield, Western Australia

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September 29th, 30th and 1st October

Available for setting up camping from Sunday 24th Sept at designated locations. Flying can commence Monday 25th provided an airways radio is being monitored for full-size aircraft and RFDS activity. Wagin township is about 2km away.

Those who camp at the field will have access to a generator. Shower and toilet facilities will be brought in for the duration. Anyone planning to use the camping area should contact a local organiser for assistance on arrival. Camping, including showers and toilets, is also available at the Wagin Showgrounds and Caravan Park. The usual fees for camping on Shire grounds apply. Fees for camping at the airfield are $5per per person per day to cover the cost of providing toilets and shower facilities. This will be collected at registration. A specified hangar will be available to shelter aircraft if the weather becomes unkind.

Registration

Registration begins at 9.00am Thursday till 5.00pm and again on Friday 7.00am-9.00am. The registration tent will be easy to spot. Pilots please do not forget to bring your heavy model registration and your MAAA membership cards. Fail safe settings for throttle will be checked during Thursday or prior to your first flight.

Thursday afternoon and evening we are running a Judging School, (experts willing and available!). The ASAA AGM will be on Saturday evening followed by a dinner at the Recreation Center (about 2km in Wagin itself). The ASAA Dinner is by invitation and pilots will find their ticket in the pilot pack. Additional tickets ($35.00) can be purchased on the ASAA Website until 14th September. Transport there and back will be by Community Bus.

Flying can only occur with the operation of an Airways Radio (on 126.70MHz). VF rules apply during practice and a 1000ft height restriction will be in place over the competition days.

Catering: The pilot registration fee includes breakfast and lunch over the three days of the competition. Hot water for coffee and tea provided and extra drinks can be purchased. The pilot pack will contain vouchers to redeem each meal or drink.

This is an event that has been promoted to the public in and around Perth as well as to people in the region. With State Government funding, public access and use of a full-size airfield comes a level of organisation and risk mitigation that places a high level of responsibility upon all concerned. At the pilots briefing the full guidelines will be covered.

Public entry to the event is free. Gold coin contributions will be solicited from the public with proceeds donated to the Royal Flying Doctor Service WA. Gifts for children will be handed out.

The competition is comprised of two main components - aerobatic sequences and a freestyle event. The aerobatic sequences are both known (previously published and flown by competitors around the country for 2017) and unknowns (published worldwide for this weekend only and never previously flown). Each day will showcase five levels of difficulty with 2 known rounds and one unknown round.

The freestyle event is separate, with one 4 minute routine flown per day. This is judged for skill, artistic merit, use of the aircrafts flying "envelope" . This will be the last item for each days flying. Usually this is spectacular, full of excitement with smoke and music for atmosphere. Come and see for yourself.

Setting up for Wagin Competition, October 2016