PMAC was established in 1976 as the Papakura Model Aero Club, the club occupied several sites in the area before establishing at the present site about 1979, which at that time was the A&P Showground. Initially most flying was control line and free flight but now it is radio control. The club had just over 40 members at the end of the first year and at present has approx 130 members.

The club's name was changed to incorporate the word ‘Manukau' due to the Manukau City Council taking over control of the grounds, the club is now the ‘Papakura Manukau Aeromodellers Club (inc)' (PMAC). After MCC took over, the grounds were opened up by the removal of fences which allowed the club to move the flying strip slightly to a more open and unrestricted site.

We have to share the grounds with other sport and equine clubs which mean we have a number of ‘no fly' days throughout the year. These are administered by a ‘user group' who meet periodically to arrange bookings for exclusive use days. Clubs are allowed to apply for exclusive use days when they require the use of the whole grounds to run special events.

The clubs calendar page lists current bookings to date.

The club has two training RC model aircraft along with associated radio control equipment available for beginners to start flying training. The equipment is the 'buddy box' system and caters for any mix of mode 1 (throttle right stick) / mode 2 (throttle left stick), instructor / pupil combination. Also a computer and flight simulator is available for hire.
Training is normally undertaken on a Sunday morning when flying is allowed and instructors are usually present, but it would be prudent to arrange with an instructor beforehand from the list in the newsletter. Contact info@pmac-rc.org for more details and download the Flight Training Manual with log book for full details.

See PMAC History doc. in the ‘Documents' section for the full club history.

If any member feels they can add detail to the history please forward by email.

Thanks to Allen Teal for the complete document.