And so it begins!

 Wednesday evening....  After the usual security checks on the batteries, Kelly and I caught our short flight over to Vancouver and then connected to AC35 to Brisbane.  We made good time and landed ahead of schedule.  With the time change and 14+ flight time it's now Friday morning!

We are spending a few days here before picking up the rental car and heading to Warwick. I have been in contact with fellow team members with Chad & Agnes and the boys arriving Sunday (Brisbane time) morning.  John Bentley arrives on Monday and will beat us all to Warwick. He has some plans for acquiring requisite team supplies (cooler/chairs etc) and scoping out practice sites as well.

Both Michi and Henry have had their final practice flights and boxed up their respective planes.  Looks like Michi had some help :-)  They will arrive on Tuesday morning into Brisbane.

Keiko tests the plane box for comfort. She is getting big!

 I've also been in touch with the organizers sorting out some RX issues for the Jeti system that Henry uses. They use a slightly different band in Australia so that is all resolved... didn't want the plane to fail processing!  Both Brian Dooley and Simon Atkinson have been very helpful!

Also texting with Sergio Valasquez of the Colombian team who arrived just before us along with seeing several posts on FB and other platforms of some of the USA team members arrival.  Jason has already been in country for a while practicing with Bones.

It's now Friday evening and I am beat... off to the rack.

View from our hotel in Milton

Counting the days!

 Hi folks

Well we are inching closer to departure day for team members, spouses and kids.  Several of us are leaving early to take in some "touristy" stuff before arriving to Warwick for the full competition. We are all flying into Brisbane Airport to start with although some of us are arriving on different dates.

 Last minute items are just finishing up ... getting some Australian money, setting up medical/travel insurance, making sure the Jeti RX's are compatible :-)... and Kelly is already checking inflight menus and drink selections so we must be close to departure.   

A big "Thank You" goes out to Doug Sewell for his kind donation towards expenses as well as Deszo Vaghy , former team member, for producing some excellent team stickers to give away to anyone buying us a beer (just kidding) ! Very much appreciated!

Deszo has moved on from competition flying to doing graphics as well as aerial videoing of properties for clients. You can reach Dezso's company Cut Vinyl Graphics at  cutgraphics.com and watch some of his youtube videos at https://www.youtube.com/@Reelmedia1

 

Michi has started to box up his planes and I suspect similar packing by Chad & Henry once the long weekend is over. I know Chad is at the lake dragging his son Thomas around in his new ski boat!  Hey he's practicing speed control and radius's :-)

I am taking several battery packs over for Michi so just doing some due diligence on what is acceptable for carry on. These are all under 100 WH, discharged and ends protected so should not pose an issue. I'll have the airline documentation ready when they inspect them. We've traveled with them many times in the past.

Once again we would like to thank the RCAA Comox Valley Club for their kind generosity in letting Michi practice at their field. It was a long drive but it certainly helped him prepare! 

Team Update #13 - Practice

The team continues to prepare and practice as best we can under the hammer of Transport Canada's Part IX RPAS rules. Michi was once again up to Comox and got in numerous practice rounds with his Akuma. He had some assistance from Murray Johnson, whom at one time was very active in the pattern community. Murray helped out with calling & critiquing and has also caught the bug again and hopes to return to competition soon... as we all do!

 

 We are just a couple weeks away from the start of the competition in Australia and look forward to the overall trip.  I personally need to finalize some medical coverage and also learn how to properly pronounce the names of some towns etc...  :-)  Also need to get some Australian dollars for my pocket!

The AMA Nationals for Precision Aerobatics recently wrapped up in Muncie and it was great to follow the action... even if I was a bit jealous. The FAI guys are all looking hard at P & F-25 now.

Team Update #12 - Donations, Planes & Markings

The team would like to thank the fine folks at RCFCBC for their generous donation towards our upcoming trip.   Whether it's a club, company or personal donation, they are all greatly appreciated!!!  Check out the club's website at https://www.rcfcbc.ca/

Chad has been hard at work getting his Nexus #2 ready for flight. This is his backup airframe that he will take to Australia. What an amazing result after using rattle cans to apply his legendary paint scheme! Looks great!

 

Michi will head up island this weekend to fly at the Comox Valley site. I've loaned him some batteries (mine are just sitting around these days!) that will allow a larger practice window for him without having to manage batteries.  

Plane Markings - Also some changes to the way we need to mark our air frames for the upcoming competition. In the past, it's been the country code followed by our personal MAAC number but now it is Country Code and then your FAI ID Number (that is found on your FAI license).  New decals being cut now! :-)

Team Update #11 - Donations

What an amazing community we live in! Last evening I received an email from long time flyer, fellow club member and friend, Steve Lyne. Steve and Maria had been away on a huge European vacation and wanted, once again, to support the team with a donation.  They came through with flying colors and we thank them for this support. Simply fantastic!

With the hobby hobbled by Transport Canada regulations, the lack of interest in anything radio control has been quite evident.  Our part of the hobby, precision aerobatics (along with sailplanes) has been the hardest hit with the 400' ceiling. Any support, however small, is greatly appreciated!

If you or anyone you know is interested in making a donation towards our efforts please contact me for details.  dave.reaville@gmail.com

Team Update #10 - RCAA Comox Valley rocks!!

The great RC community has come together to help support one of our team members. Michi Akimoto had been delt a brutal hand, first by the loss of the exemption and subsequent implementation of Transport Canada's rules governing RPAS which in turn caused the complete loss of flying privileges at his local club in Victoria. 

Not to be outdone by this impediment, he contacted the PDQ flyers, became a member & arranged for weekend accommodation. For a brief period, this allowed him to continue to practice but sadly, due to heat and the heightened fire situation in the area, the PDQ field was recently shut down. Not to be deterred again, he contacted the folks up in Comox and paid them a visit to see the club setup (it’s actually a dual purpose RC and full scale aerodrome!). After some back and forth messages between myself and Mike McCrindle, the club exec of the RCAA Comox Valley offered Michi full access to their facility in order to practice for the upcoming Worlds in Australia!!! 

 It will require some local orientation and training of procedures but this small gesture on the clubs part, means a great deal to Michi, the team and highlights the brotherhood of the rc community in which we live. Simply fantastic! 

 I suspect that some demonstrations of precision aerobatics will be coming soon the the Comox Valley! Maybe even get some guys out for the Sportsman level!

Please take some time and check out their web page at  https://rcaa.ca/

 

Team Update #9 - Boise/Comox

 In late June, Michi headed off to Boise, Idaho for the Treasure Valley Pattern Contest in NSRCA's District 8. He went by himself as he is trying to get as much flying in as possible. He had a good time with the boys down there and enjoyed the trip. 

 

 With his local club shut down due to airspace issues and his back up club, the Parksville District and Qualicum Flyers (PDQ) field, also forced to close due to a heightened fire threat, he has stretched his drive time to include the folks up in Comox, BC at the RCAA Flying site.  Website here.... https://rcaa.ca/

 

Michi at RCAA

 

It has certainly been a tough go for him on the island. With a little more than a month until departure to Australia, he is doing his best to prepare. Both Chad and Henry have been able to use their home fields to facilitate practice.

 

Storm about to chase Chad home!