Page 6 - MFW June 2025

Presidential Ramblings
Kevin Botherway
MFNZ President

The past couple of months there has been heaps of memberships and qualifications etc. With this system to
events and competitions scheduled and run throughout date, we have had a 48% percent uptake in the use of the
the country with a great summer had by all. digital membership card. If you haven’t received your
invite for the digital pass or are having issues with it,
MFNZ calendar is online and lists all events happening please contact Paul Clegg (admin@mfnz.org)
along with NDC dates let each area rep know or fill out the
form attached if any specific event you would like Its critical you keep us UpToDate with your correct email
published. address so your membership card and details can be
sent out.
Sadly, the Omaka Airshow was cancelled due to the
weather forecast and MFNZ had prepared a stand and Pilots are off around the world representing NZ in the
display for it. modelling area and wish them good luck and every
success. Congratulations to Joe Wurts the new F5J world
The wings renewal program has kept us very busy, and champion in Argentina this February. The aerobatics
all wings’ badges will be valid for a 5-year period (phased team are over in China competing in F3A world cup.
in from 2025). The renewal process will include an online
airspace and rules quiz followed by a short flight test and NDC (National Decentralised Competition) is going very
oral site related questions.All of these will be well this year with a super big thanks to Allan Knox for
administered by Model Flying New Zealand wings collating results and competition structure.
examiners. For all the information on the process have a
look at the MFNZ website. The 78th Nats planning is well underway dates are set for

https://www.mfnz.org/members-pilots/wings-programme/wings-renewal/ 29th Dec to 3rd 2025 in Hawkes Bay.

Wings renewal date will be based on membership There are so many benefits of MFNZ membership David
number. There’s a table of numbers on the website Griffin has popped together a great article later in the
displaying the band of numbers allocated to each year. magazine which outlines these.
MFNZ is working on an instructor handbook, and a sub-
committee is developing systems as we roll this program MFNZ has approved the formation of a new SIG (Special
out. Interest Group) “The Big Model Rallies SIG” This SIG
operates by arranging with clubs to host rallies
MFNZ has produced our new membership card system. throughout New Zealand.
MFNZ members will all have their cards in digital form or
a PDF, which is emailed to them. This allows Make sure you enjoy the hobby and above all be safe!
contest/event directors and clubs to check on

SAFETY IS NO ACCIDENT

I Learned About Flying From That !!

They say safety is no accident and this notion was 4. Always maintain effective communication with your
driven home last weekend at the McLeans Island Scale assistant.
Fliers field. A model that was being started and warmed 5. Never orient your model down pit lane during start
up broke free of its fork style tail restraint, transited a up.
couple of metres or so down pit lane and started 6. Finally, never rely solely on some gadget to keep
chewing into another model. I am, however, relieved to you (and others) safe. If you opt to use a tail
report that no one was injured. restraint, then please ensure that it is firmly
attached to the planet.
So, here’s what I learned…
1. Big models with big engines and big propellers don’t Having read these points hopefully you will develop a
have to be running flat out to cause serious sense of what occurred and how several factors
damage. focused into a single instant in time can quickly cause
2. When it all goes bad, it’s truly up to the gods as to calamity.
whether people get injured or not. (this incident WARNING
could easily have had a horrific outcome) Again, safety is no accident. ROTATING PROPELLER
3. Never ever take your eyes off a model with its CAN CAUSE SERIOUS
engine running. David Read INJURY OR DEATH

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