Welcome to the Toowoomba Amateur Radio Model Aero Club

The Toowoomba Amateur Radio Model Aero Club - TARMAC - is a well established club with a friendly atmosphere made up of members with a passion for flight and a broad range of aviation interests. Jump in your car and take the short drive out to our field. We'd love to see you!

Golden Jubilee Celebration

During 2024, we are celebrating our golden jubilee - TARMAC's 50th anniversary. For five decades, our club has been a hub for model aviation enthusiasts, bringing together like-minded individuals who share a fervor for flight. Join us in commemorating this milestone as we reflect on the countless memories, adrenaline-fueled flights, and the vibrant community that has defined TARMAC over the years. Here's to 50 years of tearing up the sky!

A brief look at our history

In the early 1960’s, aeronautical model enthusiasts were using a large tract of unimproved land on the corner of North & Tor Streets, Toowoomba, to engage in their sport. For many reasons, including the safety aspect and the encroachment of suburbia, this location, later to be developed into a sport ground and called the “Rockville Oval “, gradually became unsuitable. A new site was needed and in 1963, John Stacey, a private pilot and keen free flight and remote control aircraft buff, noticed an area just off the New England Highway at Hodgson Vale which had excellent potential. After meeting with the land owner, Mrs Ivy James, an agreement was reached which allowed for models to be flown at this new location. Since that time and with much help from many members, TARMAC has developed into a thriving club with wonderful facilities, friendly members and a vast array of models.

In 1998, MAAA purchased the property and granted a long-term lease to TARMAC through the MAAQ, thus ensuring our clubs home, well into the future. Our members will always be grateful to Ivy James for allowing us to use a section of her property, to John Stacey, Merve Williams, Brian West and Rod Borne for their foresight and persistence in forming TARMAC and to Dr. Jeffrey Phillps for his dedication and resolve in pursuing and obtaining a long-term tenure of the TARMAC site.

Meetings

The Official Club Meetings are scheduled for the first Sunday of every other month, specifically in February, April, June, August, October, and December each year. Our Annual General Meeting (AGM) is conducted during the August meeting. All meetings commence at 10:00 am at our field. Members are encouraged to fly before and after the meeting.

Events - 2024

April 25th - Join us for our ANZAC DAY Warbirds & Classics Fly-in

June 9th - Join us for our Pilots Choice Fun Fly - Celebrating our Club's 50th Anniversary

TARMAC Committee

The TARMAC executive committee consists of a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. TARMAC also elect support personnel. These positions include a Field Officer, a Security Officer, a Chief Flying Instructor and a Webmaster. Members vote on all positions at our Annual General Meeting which is held in August.

2023/2024 Committee

• President: Doug Woodcock
• Vice President: Ray Baines
• Treasurer: Graham Norris
• Secretary: John Fergusson

Flight times

Our field welcomes members every day, with powered models permitted for flight starting at 8:00 am. Members are most often present on Wednesdays and Sundays, weather permitting, to enjoy flying their models. Feel free to come out to our field and enjoy the fun.

Membership

Whether you're just beginning in this great sport, a seasoned pilot or anywhere in between, you are always welcome at our club. Check the Membership page for all the information you need to join us at TARMAC.