Who said it always rains at Lilydale? Well at last we were finally able to run the 20 lap handicap pylon race that was originally scheduled for earlier this year.

Adding extra interest to the day was the appearance of the first of the LDMFA’s official club competition model, the RCM Expert. The classic low wing sports model has been adopted by the club as an easy and cheap to build R/C model aircraft that will be used for a schedule of Pylon Racing, Aerobatics and Fun Fly competitions.

This has a great flow on effect in that it will give R/C modelers an appreciation of different facets of the hobby, introduces them to competition flying, albeit in a fun atmosphere. It improves general flying skills and also fosters the age-old art of actually building a model aircraft from a plan as opposed to the ever-popular AFR models available.

At Lilydale there are between 15 & 20 of them being built with more at Croydon, PARCS, VARMS and even as far as Werribee.

Back to the 20 Lap Pylon event.

On the day, people arrived from many different clubs as well as locally 'off-the-street'. After test flights and setting up of the pylon course, we were ready to go. Three rounds of five heats were to be flown. We had the less experienced flyers teamed up with the more experienced so as to give everybody a good chance.

Besides some unfortunate mid-air mishaps, all had a great day flying around the pylon course.

Lilydale managed to sweep the field with all the places being taken by members. Come to think oft it, they were all committee members!!!!

First Place: Gary Davison

Second Place: Lew Rodmen

Third Place: Les Mariner

All in all a great day was had and it was topped off with some nice sunny weather for late Sunday afternoon general flying.