History

by Richard Tapp

Southern Soaring League (SSL) was formed in 1973. For most of its life, the club has had around 80 members. There are three members of more than 25 years standing and many more with 20 and 15 year badges. This strong core is at the heart of the club.

The first flying field was in the Adelaide Hills but early in the club's life permission was obtained to fly in the parks that surround the city of Adelaide. For those who don't know, the central business district of Adelaide is essentially a 1 mile square, surrounded by a 1/2 mile wide band of parks. We believe that such a central flying location is virtually unique. After initially flying in the South Parklands, the current venue is within the Victoria Park racecourse.

Club members have also always been able to fly at the Hallett Cove Conservation Park, 25km south of the city centre. This offers reasonable slope soaring for a range of conditions. Landing areas are particularly good and the face of the slope is largely covered with bushes, which have eased the arrival of many a model. The slope can be descended for model retrieval, although the flora is fragile and rare and such excursions must be minimised. For this reason combat is inappropriate.

There are other sites used by members around the Adelaide Hills and down the south coast, but they are generally not suitable for beginners or large numbers of users. One exception is Tappanappa, which although a (relatively) long trip from Adelaide is perfectly suited to beginners and as many models as there are frequencies available. For this reason a "slope picnic" is held there each year.

The club has always had a strong competition program, with one contest per month being typical. This was reflected in the composition of Australia's first World Championships teams, with Mike O'Reilly (5th) and Stefan Smith (6th) in 1977, Mike O'Reilly and Simon Morris in 1979, Stefan Smith in 1981, Michael O'Reilly (6th), Stefan Smith and Greg Dale in 1983 and Michael O'Reilly and Greg Dale in 1985. In 1977 and 1983 these Australian teams were placed third. Southern Soaring League was the driving force behind the 1985 World Championships being held at Waikerie in South Australia, but it would be remiss to not acknowledge that the manning of the contest saw the most extraordinary "gathering of the clan" from all over Australia. It was a tremendous occasion, with great camaraderie, but it drained SSL of enthusiasm. I am not aware of any SSL member giving serious consideration to being a member of a world champs F3B team since then!

SSL was instrumental in the formation of the Australian Chapter of the League of Silent Flight (LSF). The initial petition amongst resident members was organised by SSL members and over the years SSL members have held office on a number of occasions. SSL members are strong supporters of the annual LSF tournament at Jerilderie, often with 15 or more members attending that event.

The club has had its own newsletter almost from the very beginning. This newsletter is exchanged with many other clubs, both within Australia and overseas. Amongst our better known members is Martin Simons, author of the definitive text "Model Aerodynamics" and contributor of aerodynamics articles to magazines internationally. He is an active modeller who builds both scale and sports models.

For many years the club has rostered instructors for every non contest Sunday. This discipline works reasonably well, as it relieves the willing workhorses from perpetually instructing, and brings out some of the less active but still experienced members, to do their duty. Beginners are encouraged to phone the instructor the previous day;this is highly motivational for the instructors! Unfortunately, very few beginners do this.

The park lands venue is not always available and is not suitable for all activities, particularly F3B (trees and wandering public discourage low fast flying) and scale models (aerotow not permitted). After a frustrating search occupying several years, the club puchased a flying field near Strathalbyn in December 1998. This was only possible with the financial assistance of the Model Aeronautical Association of Australia and the support of Model Airsports SA. You will find details of the field elsewhere on this website.