Echuca-Moama Model Aircraft Club secretary Fred West with a training aircraft. Photo: Emily Donohoe
Photo by
Emily Donohoe
Echuca-Moama is a thriving community that is only growing. One of the many reasons people love the region is the multitude of groups they can be part of.
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To help you find the right group, check out our ‘Why not join ...’ series each week, where we focus on a community group.
In today’s edition, Emily Donohoe speaks to Echuca-Moama Model Aero Club.
There are many opportunities for the mechanically minded or those who have an interest in aviation at Echuca-Moama Model Aero Club.
For more than 30 years, the club has been based in the region, moving into a dedicated space in Kanyapella around 26 years ago.
It was at this time club secretary Fred West got involved, stemming from a lifetime love of aviation.
“I was always interested in aircraft as a kid, like most people that fly model aircraft,” he said.
“I got my full-size license and I thought ‘well, I enjoy models as well’, so that’s what got me in.
“I came back to the hobby from being into it when I was a kid.”
Mr West has watched the development of model aircraft from his childhood to now, where technologies have advanced its offerings.
While in the club, he learnt the art of the flying, also taking on the secretary role 22 years ago.
“When I was a kid, you made it out of balsa wood, and these days you can buy things that are almost ready to fly,” he said.
“I came out here and the guys out here taught me how to fly models, and got the bug.
“Electric (models) are probably becoming more prevalent ... when I first started, you would never think you could fly an airplane with a battery.”
At the club’s site in Kanyapella, they have a runway, shade shelters and a clubhouse.
Members can access the field, one of four Victorian Model Aeronautical Association state fields, at any time they like, with a 24-hour access key.
There are also dedicated group meetings every Sunday.
“The club has meetings on a Sunday morning usually,” Mr West said.
“If the weather’s fine, people come and bring their models out, everybody just has a go and flies their planes.”
Fred West at the group's Kanyapella field, where the club has a dedicated runway, clubhouse and shade shelters.
Photo by
Emily Donohoe
On Saturday, March 15, club members are hosting a ‘come and try’ day from 10am to 4pm, giving the community a chance to try out the hobby and meet members.
Visitors will have the chance to use the flight simulator and learn from some of the club’s experienced members.
“We’ve got instructors who fly and couple of training aircraft,”
“We give them a go on a flight simulator, and then we take them out (with) an instructor.”
The club is also hosting the Festival of Flight on Saturday, April 5 and Sunday, April 6.
Attendees camp out at the field, enjoying a barbecue together on Saturday night and many opportunities to fly and learn about aviation.
In October, the club will host its annual smackdown, an aerobatics event.
People can also attend four weekend sessions with the club as a guest before joining as a member.
All are welcome in the club, including under-18 members, who have their first year of membership fees waived.
“We’re always looking for new members,” Mr West said.
“For people that are interested, they can come out on any given Sunday, as long as the weather’s nice, there’s usually somebody out here.
“People are happy to give them a bit of a fly.”
To learn more about the Festival of Flight or to get involved in the club, reach out to secretary Fred West on 0418 362 100 or through club@emmac.com.au
The Echuca-Moama Model Aircraft Club field is on Watson Rd, Kanyapella, near the Falcon Motel.
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