Kirstin Nicholson, The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper
The whirring of planes could be heard from town on the weekend as the Cohuna Model Flying Club held its first event at the airfield since the pandemic began.
Fifteen competitors took part in the Victorian Miniature Pylon Racing Association’s (VMPRA), pylon racing competition over two days. Three classes were on offer – Quickie 500, F3T and F3D.
The event signalled the first event of the season in which competitors accumulate points in the hope to take out the title of season champion.
Gary Whitbourn, president of the VMPRA, said entrants from across the state took part for the thrill and enjoyment of an ‘extreme’ event that is not the normal run of the mill flying event.
Two people fly the planes, a pilot and caller, and they must have their wits about them. It takes concentration and quick reflexes to manoeuvre the planes around the 10-lap 4km course without penalty, flying at 250–300km per hour. It’s all over in a little over a minute – but the record is a mere 54 seconds.
Anyone with an interest in model flying can contact Cohuna Model Flying Club secretary, Trevor Taylor, on 0428 564 644.
This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 18 August 2022.
