The Evolution of Jet Action

In about February 1994 a small group of club members brought an idea, a vision to a club meeting. That vision saw a model air show being skilfully and professionally organised and conducted by the club and attracting large numbers of members of the public to serve two main interests; to elevate the profile of a hobby/sport which previously sought to play matters close to its chest and avoid contact with the public, and secondly, to raise much-needed funds for the club to assist with the rapid development of facilities. On the Queen's Birthday long weekend in June 1994 the Club saw that vision materialize.

About 27 local and interstate pilots came to Monarto to fly state-of-the-art jet aircraft in a series of competitive disciplines and display flying. An extensive promotional campaign including posters, flyers, press coverage, radio commercials and television features resulted in an influx of about 5,000 members of the public over the two days of the flying program. In April 1995 the club continued with the established formula and conducted the second Jet Action event and, whilst the weather held off long enough to complete the first days program, the heavens opened on the Sunday and the day became a washout. Luckily the event broke even financially and a decision was made to continue with the event the following year with a significant upgrade of facilities. In January 1996 the club laid a 100m x 10m bitumen landing strip at a cost of $15,000 becoming the first model aero club in the State, and one of the first in the country, to do so. It was a gamble aimed at attracting a higher level of pilot participation and it was one that paid off!

Jet Action '96 saw a very high standard of model competing for a wide range of prizes and trophies and once again the spectator support was of the order of 5,000 - 6,000 people over the two public days. Jet Action '96 was heralded by the Australian aero modelling community as one of the most successful events in the history of the sport. The small band of dedicated club members who pull together the treads of this event devote their energies over an extended 7 - 8 month period and, as the day draws near, call upon up to 50 volunteers from the Club ranks to assist with the myriad of tasks to be seen to in order that the event operates smoothly and efficiently.

 

Jet Action 2008

what a magnificent weekend it was!

As many people said over the weekend, we were really blessed with the weather & it allows those distant memories of trying to have fun & fly in 40 degree heat in March fade away. As you would no doubt be aware we had representation from every mainland State in Oz (OK, OK I know I left the Territories out of that). The relaxed, laid back style of the event means that no-one should feel pressured to fly at any particular time or, in fact, at all & it was evident from the many smiling faces that you wouldn't want it any other way these days.

We had 27 pilots register over the weekend & I wonder just how many 100's of litres of Jet A1 were consumed over the 3 days (for that matter I wonder how many bottles of red ....err, & scotch..... went West as well) Richard Mudge & Dave Wearing-Smith did their collective best to burn quite a few litres of Methanol also.

There were certainly a few more EDF jets around the field this year & I wonder when we will start to see some of the larger strain of EDF's appear ---- perhaps next year? Bill Hamilton's Salto 1/3rd scale turbine-powered glider was really something different? Very impressive!

Jet Action 2008 Event results in .pdf format can be downloaded here.

Thank you all once again for your support & participation.

Jet Action 2008 images are now in our Gallery... Click here to view the event

 

Dates:	2009 TBA
Times:	Public welcome from 10.00am on Sat and Sun as Friday 30th is closed to the public due to it being pilot set up day (action winds down around 4.00pm each day)
Entry Fee:	Free for spectators (& no parking fee)
Catering:	BBQ style food & cool drinks (incl. bottled water)

 

Provisional Flying Program can be viewed here