AERO CLUB NEEDS OUR HELP

FOR several members of the Toowoomba Aeromodellers Association, flying model aeroplanes isn’t just a weekend hobby – it’s a father-son pastime spanning generations.

An original member since TAA formed 33 years ago, Neil Davy said he looked forward to introducing the fourth generation of the Davy clan to aeromodelling in a few years’ time when his grandson was a little bit older.

“My Dad was a life member of this club before he passed, and now I’m a life member and my son is also a longtime member and my two-yearold grandson can’t wait until he’s also able to join and fly planes with us,” he said.

“It really is a hobby that can be enjoyed by the whole family which is a very special thing in my opinion.”

But the Davys may not be able to welcome the next generation to the Toowoomba Aeromodellers Association, as time is running out for these Westbrook-based pilots.

If the club can’t find a new headquarters to call home by September TAA may be forced to stay grounded .

“We’ve called our Westbrook-Wyreema Road location home for the past 25 years,” TAA secretary Chris Watt said.

“This farmland used to be owned by Queensland Correctional Services, who let us fly here.

“Then 10 years ago they granted us a lease which is unfortunately coming to an end in September with the new owners unable to extend it.”

“We’ve now got less than five months to locate somewhere new to fly our planes, and when you think about the logistics of moving a club like ours with all of our amenities and flight requirements it isn’t a lot of time.”

Mr Watt said the club had been searching for a new location to relocate to for a number of months without much luck due to the severe shortage in land.

“We are looking for anything from 10 to 100 acres of reasonably flat land anywhere within the Toowoomba region so long as the flying field is 3.5 nautical miles (6.482 kilometres) away from Wellcamp Airport.”

“We just really want the community to get behind us and help us find a new place to call home so that we can keep flying.”

To get in touch with TAA regarding any potential new locations, call Chris Watt on 0412 442 937 or email chriscathywatt@optusnet.com.

MAYDAY MAYDAY: President Simon Biber (front left) and Secretary Chris Watt (right) with club members and visiting members of the Toowoomba Aeromodellers Association which is looking for a new site to call home as its lease on its Westbrook-Wyreema Road property will finish in September.