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Ranjit Phelan and Karl Harrod at Bundaberg World Champs:
I suppose pylon came of age in Australia when the Australian Miniature Pylon Racing Association was formed in 1975.(AMPRA)
The organization was created at a special meeting held to discuss the future of Pylon Racing in Australia at 29th Nationals which were held in the state of South Australia in the Loxton area.
This was memorable because I was made the National co-ordinator - a role which I served for 23 years.
AMPRA is instrumental in keeping everyone on track in regard to the classes we fly. There is nothing more destructive to the growth of any form of modeling to see it being fragmented by break away groups all doing their own thing.
We run the AMPRA pylon championships every year at a relative central location. This is held over three days where our three major classes are flown. It also is used as a part of our Australian Team Selection for the F3D class.
It is a good weekend where everyone gets to together for socializing. We Call it Ear Bashing! Incidentally we never throw Prawns 0n the Barbie.
AMPRA is recognised as a special interest group by our controlling body the Model Aeronautical Association of Australia (MAAA) - (CLICK HERE).
Attached to the MAAA is the Technical Sub Committee for Pylon. This organisation is headed up by a Chairman who has a member in each state of Australia.
This group advises the MAAA in relation to pylon matters. It does not have any power to make changes to anything. However it can make recommendations. It generally polices pylon within Australia - advising of loop holes in our rules - and taking action - through MAAA rules Conferences - to have them changed. So the State bodies with their representatives do have the final say in what we are allowed to do. This seems to work rather well as I cannot remember officials going against any of our wishes. Perhaps because we think them through fairly carefully prior to making the final draft for submission.
After the MAAA have sanctioned any changes - and if applicable - these changes would be submitted to the FAI CIAM for voting. Otherwise they are implemented into our Australian Rules Book. For example our FA1 - QM - F400 - and Half A classes are local rules only - not International as is the F3D class. Our FA1 class is similar in every way to the International F3D - the only difference is our course layout has been modified to increase safety and shorten the length of the field needed to run the event. This is simply done but repositioning the #2 pylon cut judge.
I will make an effort to keep this site up to date, as I am very interested in Pylon Racing, and I am proud to be a part of the Australian Racing Scene.