Sport
17 January, 2026
Hosting aerial world champs
WHILE most sporting and hobby club activities remain suspended over the Christmas-New Year break, there is one group who sees the period as a matter of “business as usual”.
Mareeba-based MASCOT model aircraft enthusiasts were out on the Sunday morning between Christmas and New Year, and every Wednesday and Sunday thereafter at their Adil Road airstrip with their aircraft well and truly into aerial action in the skies above.
However, this year will provide the local club and indeed the whole Mareeba and Tablelands area with a massive aerial attraction.
MASCOT Club president Murray Towne said ‘while quite a few of our club’s model aircraft enthusiasts have been flying at various locations over the years, our Adil Road facility has proved second to none”.
“The strip has been laser levelled and it is supported by a host of other facilities that are way above the standards normally evident in similar clubs, especially in rural areas,” he said.
Mr Towne said that being the case, the local MASCOT organisation was approached to host a world championship event for electric motor powered gliders.
“Towards the end of last year, an Australian FAI F5B Electric Model Glider Association inspector visited our facilities, assessing the high standards of the strips, facilities and applicable area height approval (free fly) zones.
“Subsequently, our club received the event approval at the end of last month, so Mareeba will host the 10-day long powered glider class world championships in early August this year.”
Competitors at the world championships come from most major European nations, China, USA, Mexico, Japan and many other nations.
“The FAI F5B world championship for electric model gliders usually attracts competitors, their sponsors, crews and families to a region for some time, so our hosting this marquee event offers many opportunities for accommodation, supply of food, tourism opportunities and so on.
“Additionally, the championships will be open to the public to see world class aircraft modelers in action, flying in local conditions at our MASCOT facility just outside Mareeba.
“This really is a major sporting coup for our club, town, shire and region and we will be seeking partnerships for all manner of essentials,” Mr Towne said.
Mr Towne can be contacted on 0429 878 010.
