AFTER more than 60 years, Cronulla Model Aero Club is still up in the air in more ways than one.
The club, which has been flying since 1953, is yet to find a permanent home.
Members fly their model planes on Crown land off Heathcote Road, Menai, that it leases on a year-to-year basis.
The club has about 100 members aged from eight to 88 and meets several times a week to fly their scale models based on actual aircraft ranging from WWI and WWII fighter planes to modern day jets and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones).
"We have a mound of correspondence and reports dating back to 1986 trying to secure a permanent fly field," said Cronulla Model Aero Club president Greg Hoy.
"We had been promised part of the SITA site but were unsuccessful.
"We are soon to have discussions with ANSTO to utilise an area just outside their no-fly zone.
"But until we have a permanent home we can't plan for the future."
Mr Hoy said the club was not afforded the same benefits of other clubs in the shire.
"We don't have a clubhouse with a toilet, water, electricity and regularly suffer illegal dumping and vandalism," he said.
Recently, the club had to call off its activities for a week when illegal dumping on Heathcote Road blocked the gateway to their airfield.
"I could not imagine a local cricket club having to suspend play for a week because they could not gain access to their playing field," Mr Hoy said.
"Unlike other mainstream sports our activity extends well beyond the age of 40.
‘‘We have an ageing population in the shire; this is the type of sporting activity that needs to be embraced.
‘‘The activity caters to both men and women, the disabled, the young and old, and the young at heart.
‘‘A lot of fathers and sons are members so it is a family-bonding sport.
‘‘Many aero-modellers move into the aviation industry. Some of our junior members have gone on to become pilots for major airlines.
‘‘It provides social interaction for all ages and all social-economic and ethnic backgrounds.
‘‘We have 14 different nationalities in our membership.
‘‘We are one of the very few recreational activities that operate under civil aviation regulations.
‘‘Our models can range in size from 5cc up to 180cc and have wing spans ranging from one metre to three metres.
‘‘It means we can’t just fly them in a public park. We are asking the council, ANSTO and SITA to try and identify a suitable site.
‘‘Twenty-eight years is a long time to be be in negotiations with the council.’’
Mr Hoy said visitors were always welcome at the Cronulla Model Aero Club.
Details: 0417 284 615.
What would be a suitable permanent flying field for the model Aero Club?
