Interest in model aircraft flying in Malta commenced in the thirties, a few years prior to World War II.. Being a small community, only a handful of enthusiasts existed and their activities were obviously limited to rubber powered models, although Mr Vassallo, a naturally born engineers, recalls that during his childhood days, he had experimented with solid fuel engines composed of highly explosive substances! He recounts how he had experimented in other engineering and electronic processes, as well as developing the concept of a single reflex photographic camera in the very early forties. Amongst other mementoes of the past, Cristinu boasts of a considerable collection of what are called heat engines, which, although not relevant to our hobby, are a technical achievement in themselves.

But going on with my story; during the war, no activity took place for obvious reasons, but enthusiasts had a major influence from foreign troops operating from Malta, especially as regards Aviation. To this day, the mention of a Gladiator, a Spitfire, a Hurricane, a Stuka or a Messershmidt recalls those dark days. Post war activities in model aircraft mostly originated from personnel in the Armed Forces who were stationed on the island and who had the same interests prior to the war. Magazines on the hobby started appearing and although Malta had passed through very bad times, recovery was fast. Mr Curmi recounts of his early days as a boy scout when he used to join visiting groups to the military airfields and how he had formed part of an organised section of the Boy Scout Movement at the time. Called the Air Scout Group, these young enthusiasts delved in the hobby with whatever material and contacts they could lay their hands on. Around 1948, miniature engines appeared on the market and interest continued to increase, although at the time it was already hard to make a living, lest alone spend your hard earned money on your hobby.

In 1952, another step was taken towards the establishment of a club - the same group of people, now no longer in their teens, formed the Sliema Aero Club. Apart from local enthusiasts, the club enjoyed as sprinkling of service personnel, mostly from the Royal Air Force, which, at that time, had a fully operational base on the islands. Mostly due to the influence by these personnel, permission was granted to use an operational airfield called Ta' Qali for flying models when the full size aircraft were not being flown. Today, the Association's flying site is still at Ta' Qali.

At this point in time, I was a teenager and I came into the picture as an observer of full size aircraft at Ta" Qali - I rmember cycling from my home village to watch the Venoms and Vampires land and take off, and that is where I also saw my first radio controlled models. I also recall another small site where only control line activity took place in a very organised manner - the models were very elaborate, and apart from the aerobatic types, some excellent scale models were also flown. Among these I remember a four engined Viscount, A hawker Sea Fury, a Catalina and a Gannet. Pioneering this field was Mr Joe Cassar, who has already been mentioned. Joe recollects those days when aeromodellers were not grouped together under one club but used to meet in various places around the island, since control line flying did not requiire much space. He also recounts the days when control line flying was completely and skilfully mastered by him and a few otjhers, and how they had earned all the top honours in competitions held with groups of control line flyers from the Services.
The airfield where flying used to take place became surplus to the Royal Airforce round about the mid-sixties and considerable efforts were made by the Committee of the Association to establish a firm footing on part of the runway - the south end. This was acquired on an encroachment basis and the Association started growing in its members from half a dozen diehards to a couple of dozen (that's where I came in!) Proportional radio equiopment appeared in the late sixties, and previously, only single channel equipment with hard valves and high tension voltages were utilised. The only model shop on the island at that time, apart from a couple of minor shops, was the Graupner agent and the price of this equipment was very expensive. Nevertheless, members who were better off acquired it, others sought to import other brands and we entered into an era of self taght remote control flying with real joysticks instead of switches. In 1974, the Association passed through a turbulent period as the site which we had was required by the authorities for the building of a large factory, and after months of negotiatiopns, the Committee managed to acquire another part of the now disused runway, the North End, which has remained in the Association's hand to this day.
The seventies saw great strides in the hobby and the Association's activities, and membership grew steadily. Competitions were held regularly, mainly aerobatic and scale, although fun flies were also organised. The standard of flying improved greatly and as equipment became more reliable and cheaper, models became more elaborate and refined.
The least practised branch of the hobby within the Association is gliding. Terrain in Malta is not adequate for this type of flying, although the more adventurous members did try their hand at slope soaring, mainly on a horseshoe shaped slope facing NorthWest, the prevailing wind. Landing area is not existent in this locality, however, and the risk of going home with a broken model is quite high.
During the eighties, members of the Association,with some help from a sponsor, managed to participate in national aerobatics competitions in Italy. This was achieved by enrolling under the Italian flag as associate members of the FAI, as subscribing the Association in the FAI entailed considerable expense.
These members, Messrs Louis Runza, Joe Pule, Martin Cassar and myself, during the two years in which they took part in these National championships, obtained quite high placings. Lack of funds and sponsorships, however, prevented further participation.
As President of the Association during the period 1990-1992, I endeavoured to improve our site, and strifed to obtain official recognition of the Association with the local authorities. Attempts were also made to obtain a corporate membership in the FAI but lack of funds again prevented implementation.
The idea of an open day event was also developed during this period and actually originated from a Concours D'Elegance which was originally sponsored by our National airline, Air Malta.
The open day, in fact, became an annual event since 1993, and has attracted a large number of spectators. During its two days, the Association usually gives various displays of the different types of models, and has also roped in other organisations connected with Aviation. The Armed Forces of Malta have participated with their helicopters and light aircraft, the Aviation Museum Foundation has also lent a helping hand by exhibiting some of their pieces,and the Italian Mission and our National Airline has used the event for promoting their services.
The Association today has about 120 members, issues its official Newsletter "Newsbeat" and has its own Home page on the Internet.