Page 56 - MFW June 2024

The F3A Trans Tasman was held at the Hamilton MAC
field, 16/17/18 February 2024.

This is the first time NZ have been able to host a Trans
Tasman since 2017 due to covid interruptions. A Trans
Tasman was held in Australia at Tin Can Bay in 2019, and
in 2022 a TT result was combined into the Australian
Masters held in Casino. So great to be able to run a TT
Team Australia with their models (L to R) Scott Kay, Jason Arnold, Shayne
back on NZ soil, with both F3A and Masters pilots flying, Lysaght, Mike Ralph & Shane Suffolk
20 pilots all up.
The Hamilton site was chosen for its great setup, south
facing, superb runway, and not too far from the Auckland
Airport for easy pickups. It ticked all the boxes.

When the Australians found out we would pick them up at
the airport & accommodate them, it was an easy and a
couple of guys from Tasmania signed up right away. By the
time the event week came around, we had 6 ozzy pilots on
Team NZ (L to R) Steve Johnson, John Knox, Hamish Galloway, Frazer
their way !! It was a bit of a squeeze at Bogans house, but Briggs, James Danby (Res), Sean Galloway & James Farrow (Res)
with some local billets sorted out too, we got them all fitting
in, with over flow pitching tents on the lawn.
Tasmania, Shane and Claire Suffolk from Queensland,
The event was immediately followed by the Rumble in were all propping up the bar by the time the pickup van and
Hawkes Bay, allowing the visitors to double down on their trailer with Bogan at the wheel pulled into the terminal.
trip, and fly in two events. Shane & Claire Suffolk did Steve Johnson from Brisbane had already been collected
exactly that, with some mid week “Tiki Touring” on the way by Paul Tomlinson and was attacking the duty free bag.
to the Bay via Rotorua and Taupo. John Knox had some fun in the night, two late arrivals at
midnight, namely Jason Arnold and Shayne Lysaght, with
Thursday was setup day, Dave Wilkins, Derek Whelan, model boxes to big to fit their rental vehicle. By 4am it was
Lyndon, Bogan and club local on the spot Sel Melville, all sorted !!
stood the new NZRCAA 10×5 marquee up, in about 90
mins. Followed by an armada of gazebos for the judges to Friday – official practise day and arrival of the kiwi fliers.
sit under, lines painted on the runway, and the poles stood By midday a long queue to fly was forming, and in perfect
up, things were looking good !! Putting the centre marker weather too !! The kiwi and ozzy flags had been raised,
out in the maize crop was a bit of fun for Dave and Bogan, and they showed a light breeze from the west as the
but with the gps box marking app “F3A Zone Pro” locating occasional thermal moved through. By 6pm it was time for
the right spot was a piece of cake. Then it was off to the refreshments, pizza, and then Steve J reminded us we
airport to pickup a bunch of visitors who had all landed late needed to get on with some fun, so let’s fly some Classic
in the afternoon. Scott Kay and Mike Ralph from before it gets dark !!

55