Want to know a little more about the GMAA? Then read on!

The GMAA has been operating in Geelong for over 40 years, and have quite an interesting history! In this section you can read up on the history of the club, some more about us today, where our fields are located, committee member details and much more.

The Geelong Miniature Aircraft Association (GMAA), as we are now known, have been operating in Geelong for over 40 years. During that time we have had a name change, flying field moves and expansions and seen generations of locals join up and fly with the club.

It all began back in 1965 & 1966 when a number of local modellers began seeking eachother out to help oneother learn to fly their (at the time) single channel radio controlled and control line aircraft and to share knowledge and discuss the latest news in their hobby. Proportional radio sets came into vogue, and with them came more locals interested in radio controlled flight.

Towards the end of 1966 and early 1967, a number of individuals began to congregate and fly their aircraft on the Belmont Common. Most flew trainers, but some of the more adventurous flew aerobatic capable aircraft. It soon became apparent that these like-minded flyers should form a club in order to have rules, control over frequencies and an official flying site on the Belmont Common.

The first ever meeting to form a model aircraft radio club in Geelong was held in June/July, 1967 in founding member Barry Angus' garage. Also present were some names that would be familiar to long-time members of the club: Ralph Tabley, Gavin & Murray Hitch, Len Bent, Peter Williams and Les Squires (amongst a select group of others).

Barry Angus was duly elected president and the club was officially born. A few names were suggested for the club ranging from "Geelong Model Radio Club" to the final result, which had a distincly American ring to it: "GAGS" (Geelong Aero Guidance Society).

The South Barwon Shire gave the club permission to use the common and soon after was erected a steel clubhouse come garage to house the club's equipment. At a later date, due to a (rare) local government grant, a larger concrete brick building was erected. This served among other things as a shelter in inclement weather and a canteen on competition and open days. Early meetings were held in the "Camera Club" shed on the Belmont Common (near where the Belmont Sunday Market is now held) as well as in the "Airforce Hall" in Little Malop Street. In later years meetings were shifted to the old migrant hostel near the Ford factory on Melbourne Road, using one of the mission huts there.

Many enjoyable years were spent flying on the Belmont Common, the Nationals held there in 1972 being one of the more memorable highlights. But the club's time there was limited as suburban progress slowly made flying more difficult and dangerous, with the fear of interference and flying over busy roads becoming unacceptable. The decision was made in late 1976 to search for another flying site, but it was not until late 1978 or early 1979 that the move to a new field in Dog Rock's Road, Fyansford was made. This field is still in use today.

Since those early days of the club, the GMAA has gone from strength to strength. Along the way we changed our name to the more palatable "GMAA", currently have a solid membership base and have even secured a second flying field with excellent facilities in Shepherd's Road, Mannerim. The club holds an "Open Day" each year and takes part in static displays at fairs and functions help to generate interest in the hobby and the club Itself.

The GMAA has a long history, one which we are proud of, and we hope to continue to grow in the years to come and to promote this great hobby of ours!

The Committee

Please note that all committee members can be contacted via e-mail and regular mail. Please check out out contacts page for details.

Monthly Club Meetings

Meetings will be held on the third Tuesday of each month at the Geelong East Uniting Church, Cnr of Boundary Rd & Ormond Rd, East Geelong @ 8:00pm.

Entry is via Boundary Rd, Church car park.

Field Details

As mentioned above, the GMAA have two flying fields in Geelong. Both are fairly easy to get to, just follow the maps below for directions and you'll be there in no time!

Aerial Images

Dog Rocks		Mannerim
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Mannerim Dam

At the mannerim field we are lucky enough to have access to a larga dam from which members are able to fly float planes from on specially organised occasions. Here's a great panoramic picture of the dam with plenty of water in it and Colin Gissing pondering when the next float day will be! Pic by Dave Barling. More pics of float days on the dam can be found in the Photo Gallery section.

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GMAA Club Rules

Like any sporting or hobby organisation, the GMAA has instituted club rules for the benefit of all club members. All existing members should be aware of them, and all new and potential members should study them closely

GMAA Club Rules
(Revised August, 2009)

• No person shall fly a model at the club fields at any time unless they can demonstrate they are an INSURED, FINANCIAL Member of the GMAA or other MAAA associated club, or a "bona fide" visitor.

• All members joining GMAA since 1/7/2000 must have qualified for Bronze Wings before being permitted to fly their models as a solo pilot.

• Aircraft noise levels shall not exceed 96 dba at the Dog Rocks field and 98dba at the Mannerim field.

• All flying at the Dog Rocks field must cease immediately when so directed by the field owner, Mr Bill Honey. Any aircraft deemed to be “too noisy” by Bill Honey shall not be flown at the Dogs Rock field.

• No flying is permitted at either field before 9 AM on SUNDAYS , 8 AM on other days and NO FLYING is permitted on days of TOTAL FIRE BAN.

• No transmitter shall be turned on without a key in the appropriate frequency slot in the keyboard, or hung on the 2.4GHZ board. Only VMAA/MAAA approved keys shall be used. The members name and frequency shall be placed on the key. While not in use transmitters shall be stored in the pound.

• No key is to be inserted OR removed by anyone EXCEPT the pilot with the transmitter, (in other words, DO NOT ask somebody else to install or remove your key. You are responsible for it).

• Instructors are responsible for the correct placement of trainee’s Frequency keys.

• All transmitters shall be certified and have the appropriate certification sticker for up to 2 frequencies on the rear of the transmitter/module, if you wish to use the alternate crystals you must have the change checked by a senior member to verify the change is correct.

• Members shall remain vigilant of low flying aircraft and land immediately if one is detected flying low over the field.

• Twenty minutes key time (flying and starting) is allowed if other pilots are using the frequency.

• Pilots shall not stand on the strip while flying; they shall stand only on the marked flight line.

• No aircraft may taxi behind the flight line or in the pits. No equipment shall be left on the flight line or strip.

• No engine is to be started/restarted “On the Strip”. Engines are to started ONLY in the pits, or at the Flight Line.

• No engines are to be started in the car park. Not only is this dangerous, it’s downright stupid, for the risk in injury to other people from flying stones etc.

• Take off and landing shall be in the same direction (subject to wind direction), landing approach shall where possible be rectangular, clear of the strip, pits and car park, or as directed by the Contest Director or Safety Officer.

• No aircraft shall be flown closer than 30 metres or at any height over any person not involved in the operation of the aircraft

• Dogs and unsupervised children shall not enter the pit area or flight line. Non members may only enter the pit area if accompanied by a club member.

• Members shall accept responsibility for flying safely at all times and at all times shall request the public and other members to abide by these rules.

• No Flying over Dog Rocks Road.

• Fire Extinguisher to be on flight line when starting petrol motors.

• No Pylon racing.

• No models over 17kg to be flown at Dog Rocks field.

• No Hovering of fixed wing models while other planes are flying.

The Committee reserves the right to amend these rules. A change becomes effective on publication in the Newsletter or posted at the flying fields.

GMAA Conduct and Disciplinary Procedure (Published August 2009)

You can download a copy of the GMAA Disciplinary Procedure HERE **.

** You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed to view the file.