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- Last Updated: 27 May 2020
- Published: 23 December 2011
COVID-19 IMPACT
A number of state associations have suggested suspension of all flying activities. There are numerous events advertised on this website. Check with the event organisers as it is most likely that imminent events will have been cancelled.
Read President Ralph's First Report
2020 F5J Trophy #5 - Is Being Planned
Hopefully COVID-19 will not prevent this signature event from taking place later in the year.
Click here for the flyer so that you can make tentative plans to attend.
2020 Vic Thermal & F5J State Titles
Great October event in Mildura. Click here for details.
MAAA NSIG Report
Read President Ralph's report on NSIG to the MAAA - click here.
Looking For Something About Electric Flight In Australia?
You've Found It. AEFA, An Australian Organisation Fostering And Promoting Aeromodelling Using Electric Power.
The AEFA began in the mid ‘90s. In those early days, meetings, rallies and newsletters were the only methods we had to share our knowledge and passion. While times have changed we believe it’s important to continue sharing our experience, problems and solutions to mastering electric flight. This website is one of the main avenues for doing that and here you'll find things to help you enjoy electric powered models.
In our ‘Resources’ section we have compiled information that can be classified as electric flight 'know how'. For many, understanding the technology, or selecting components for an electric model, is a daunting prospect. We want to help. Our focus is on those matters that are pertinent to electric flight and some of the differences from the IC world. We will try to point you in the right direction, present as broad a view as possible, and maintain brand independence.
Getting together as electric modelers is another way we can pass on what we have learned. Our ‘Events, Competitions and Rules’ section provides information about where and when electric events are planned and the competitions that might be run at them. It’s also a section where new ideas about events and rules are published along with those for regularly flown contests.
The section ‘ About the AEFA’ is just that. It explains our origins, recognizes some of the key individuals that have pioneered electric flight in Australia and provides information about how we are organized and operate. Because we want to stay in step with current and emerging practices for connecting and collaborating with each other, we now concentrate on communicating via this website plus a network of ‘focus’ email groups. News and information is circulated for each categories depicted in the graphic at the top of this page, namely:
- electric gliding,
- Electric Old Timers,
- general news and rally information.
Details on becoming an AEFA member (membership is free) are in our 'How to Join' page (here).
Solutions Update
A couple of updates to our Solutions Via Rule of Thumb page have been made, namely Mike O'Reilly's guide to Trimming a model, and Marcus Stent's thermalling notes now live here.
- Details
- Last Updated: 27 May 2020
- Published: 24 April 2014
President’s Message
In my first report as President I want to pay tribute to the outgoing committee for their stewardship of our association and in particular to Trevor Smith. It was Trevor’s determined negotiation and resolve that saw the AEFA recognised as the Electric Glider National Special Interest Group (NSIG). In doing this Trevor has made a great contribution to our association. You can find the first annual report of the Electric Glider NSIG on the AEFA web site.
I would also like to introduce your new committee and thank them for nominating:
President: Ralph Dephoff (yours truly)
Vice President: Terry Scolari
Secretary: Charles Powell
Treasurer: Phil Stevenson
Committee Member: Mal Pring
Committee Member: Peter Pine
Committee Member: Alan Mayhew
At last count our association numbered some 439 members. It has been my pleasant duty to welcome our latest – Jason Barry, Peter Finlay, Russell Pearce, Darryl Herman, Barry Stonestreet, Jim Wilks, Ray Dicker, Steve Copelin, David Mira-Bateman and Mati Tabur. Thanks for joining up and I hope you enjoy your association with us.
In recent times we have all been dealing with the restrictions thrust upon us by Covid – 19 including being forced from our flying fields. However, for many, being “forced” into building and repairing our squadrons was of some compensation. On the positive side, there has been considerable interest, participation and sharing in the AEFA zoom chats. Thanks must go to Peter Pine for suggesting this and being the moderator. Personally, I’ve enjoyed the zoom chats and picked up many great modelling tips from the experts. It’s a great way of keeping in contact with our flying friends.
Prior to taking up flying some 7 years ago I had no idea of the diversity and extent of electric powered model flying in Australia. The main challenge that I see facing the AEFA is to nurture this diversity. In no small way, this includes the running of the National Electric Flight Rally (NEFR), a premier event much valued by many of our members not only for its variety but for a chance to catch up with friends. Unfortunately the 2020 NEFR had to be cancelled due to COVID – 19 restrictions. This said, we are forging ahead with the planning for NEFR 2021.
COVID – 19 is also casting a shadow over another event run by the AEFA, namely the annual F5J Trophy. Despite the restrictions (which appear to be easing) your committee is preparing for the 2020 event in November. We have taken the view that it’s easier to cancel it if we have to rather organise the show at the last minute in a panic. This event includes the selection trials for the 2021 F5J World Championship and planning must proceed despite the shadow caste COVID – 19. You will find details under the F5J Trophy tab on our web site.
In closing, may I say thanks for electing me as your president. I now know how Steven Bradbury felt when he won gold.
Stay safe
Ralph Dephoff