We have a bumper issue this time with a report on a fantastic Dr. Kinsella Scale Day, a competition to design a new club logo and much more.

Stop Press! .......Stop Press!

Your Secretary Peter Wauchope was invited to a reception recently hosted by Derry City Council. The guest of honour was the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson. Other notables included John Hume MP, MEP and Deputy First Minister Mark Durkan.

The purpose of this gathering was to announce the role that the City of Derry will play next year in the run-up to the Special Olympics in Dublin. Derry will host the Argentine Special Olympic Team during the week prior to the commencement of the Olympics. Approximately 160 athletes will be visiting the City and the Council are anxious that their stay should be a memorable one.

Never one to miss an opportunity, Peter approached Derry City Council with a proposal for the NWMAC to host a model airshow where the special display pilot would be none other than the Argentinean maestro and current Tournament of Champions, Champion Quigue Somenzini. Quique finished runner up to Christhope Payasent la Rue at the World Aerobatic Championships in Cork last year. For those of us who watched him fly only one word can illustrate his abilities - fantastic!

Peter's proposal has been favourably received by DCC and whilst they have not yet completed their deliberations it's looking good. Watch this space!

Having been honoured with being elected as your Chairman at the EGM on the 15th June it would be my wish that my first message to the Club would reflect upon the positive rather than the negative. Regrettably due to some recent communications that have been circulating among the membership, I feel that I must address the content of these.

It is somewhat difficult to decipher exactly what the issues are that the writer of the letters wishes to highlight due to the incoherent style, but the gist appears to be that they are of the oppinion that the EGM of the 15th was unlawful. The committee will be responding to the signatories in detail in due course but the facts are as follows.

The committee is elected by the membership to administer the business of the Club. I called a Committee meeting to which all serving Committee members were invited, informing them that the issue of a possible EGM was on the agenda. Three Committee members, who happen to be the signatories of the communications referred to above, refused to attend but two of them had previously expressed a desire for an EGM. An EGM was duely called with each member of the Club being informed of a date, time and venue. An agenda was also circulated which was designed to give both sides a free and fair opportunity to put forward their case.

At the EGM the three Committee members did not appear. No appologies from them were received. Under AoB the status of the three non-attenders was raised from the floor. A discussion took place and subsequently a motion was proposed for them to be removed from the Committee. This motion was carried unanimously. The vacant positions were subsequently filled from the membership.

I will leave you to pass your own judgement on the above events.

Rumours are now circulating that those members that attended the EGM have now formed their own club! These rumours are entirely untrue and without foundation. I wonder from whom they originated?

Despite the difficulties there are many positives to reflect upon as we approach the half way stage of the flying season. The training nights are popular and most of those attending are making good progress. This Club Newsletter is well established and many members have expressed how useful it is in keeping the membership informed, especially those that cannot make the field on a regular basis. Thanks to Ciaran Roddy our website is up and running and as mentioned above we held a very successful Kinsella Scale Day, hosting visitors from five other clubs. My thanks to Ross and Aidan for having the site looking so well. To Peter and the 'Rat' for judging and a "well done" to George on his second place.

Happy landings!

Martin Lyttle.

Dr. Kinsella Scale Day - Sunday 23rd June 2002

The sun shone, the rain stayed away and the visiting pilots came in their numbers. The only downside was the strong crosswind that proved sonewhat troublesome for some of the more lightly loaded aircraft.

Five visiting clubs were represented with the longest travelling pilot being Graham Mc Millen from Cavan. Also a first for our scale day was the number of scale helicopters entering the competition with Robert Graham entering a Lama and Kevin Smyth with a Hughes 500.

For those of you not familiar with the format of our scale days, a brief explanation may be useful.

Points are awarded for documentation being presented, with a three view photograph being the minimum requirement. Additional points are awarded for the complexity of the building process with an own design and a built model attracting the most points, descending down to a bought model with no building input attracting zero. Flying marks are awarded simply for realism in flight. Flying to static marks are at a ratio of 2:1, so even a bought model has a chance. Flying is "off the peg" and as informal as possible.

Whilst your chairman got the sausages on the pan,flying got underway with Robert Graham first into the air with his Ultimate Biplane. With the ice broke it was non-stop flying for the rest of the day.

Clifford Mc Elwee brought along three aircraft including the electric ME110 that he reviewed in the last edition of RC Scale International. However it was his Fokker V11 complete with lozenge camouflage, which was ultimately successful taking first place. Clifford also took third place with an Airsale Models RCAF Chipmunk that flew extremely well on an OS 52FS.

George Hemphill was the highest placed NWMAC pilot with his lovely Spacewalker from the Sig Kit powered by an MDS 148. It was the first time in nearly two years that George had flown the model but you would not have guessed.

George Hemphill looking suitably pleased with his 2nd place.   NWMAC chairman Martin Lyttle, presents the Kinsella Shield to Clifford Mc Elwee (South Derry MAC). Note where the cars had to be parked due to lack of space.   Clifford Mc Elwee's Canadian Air Force Chipmunk. Lovely flyer.   Billy Ayton gives scale to his electric ducted fan Learjet.

Ross Mac Kenzie's recently refurbished Piper Cub. Super Tigre 90 powered.   The winning model at the Kinsella Scale Day, Clifford Mc Elwee's Fokker D VII. Clifford is a member of the South Derry MFC.

Undoubtly one of the most successful scale days to date with plenty of relaxed flying. What was especially pleasing was the number of visitors that came up at the end to express how much they enjoyed the day with the promise to return next year, with even more models!

COMPETITION.... COMPETITION....COMPETITION

Can you come up with a new logo for the club? A logo that could possibly be used on a range of club clothing such as caps, T-shirts, fleeces etc. If so, you could win a prize.

The logo should:

1. Clearly identify the NWMAC with the North West / Foyle area.

2. Modelling or aviation orientated.

3. Non-political in content.

Closing date will be 31/08/02. Please send your entries to the Membership Secretary, Aidan Lafferty, 125 Urney Road, Clady, Strabane.

Training Sessions.

The Thursday night training sessions have got off to a good start with an encouraging turn out most nights, weather permitting. It is important that beginners keep up the practice. Remember the instructors are giving up their time to make you a better flyer.

	Some of the trainees with their instructors.

Club Website Up and Running.

Thanks to Ciaran Roddy we have a new website. Check out www.geocities.com/northwestmodelaircraftclub or access can be gained through the BMFA website at www.bmfa.org.uk