Promotion FAQ's

Why do we need promotion?

The promotion is about reinforcing locally and nationally that model flying is a positive, significant recreational activity, which is enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds. Promotion is about letting more people know what we do!!

Why should we do this?

Unless you own a large tract of land well away from built up areas, you need the cooperation of a landowner in order to indulge your passion for model flying. Model flying is subject to acts and byelaws from central Govt ( CAA, Airways Corp, Radio Spectrum management, Min of Defence) and local Govt ( usage consents and noise). So, we operate in an environment largely controlled by others.

The more people discover what a great bunch of people we are, and model flying is a fantastic pastime/sport  the more likely we are to gain their  support.   Support we will need to survive as noise regulations and urban sprawl eat up our club flying sites.

Club flying fields are by their nature sited away from residential areas, so unless we actively promote ourselves, how will anyone know what we do?.  Unless we are proactive, our membership number will not grow and facilities will be harder to secure.

Lots of model fliers who are not members of the NZMAA, and fly subject to no control at all. If they have an accident all of us get tarred with the same brush. It is in our interests to draw “independent” fliers into the fold, and reinforce the NZMAA as the recognised national body for model flying in NZ.

 United we stand, divided we fall!!

What is the council doing for promotion?

Membership numbers, the “status” of model flying and its future lies with the Clubs. The promotion plan is intended to support clubs with resources and assistance, so they can not only enjoy their model flying,  attract more members but also reinforce model flying as a valued recreational pursuit. Some of the tools/ resources are listed elsewhere on this page.

How will this plan advantage me?

It may not advantage you directly, if you are part of a club that has a secure flying site with all the facilities it needs with guaranteed tenure and all the financial resources it needs However many clubs/ individuals  are not in this position and rely on the goodwill of others  to be able to enjoy their model flying.

If model flying is recognised as a legitimate community recreational asset, along with rugby, basketball, bowls, aerobics, mountain biking, painting, , hunting ‘n’ shooting etc your club has a much better chance gaining the resources you need to operate.

The bottom line is that it is not only what you do that counts, it is what every one else sees you doing that gains you support. That is what this promotion is about.

How much is it going to cost?

 Budget details have been published in the MFW and on the Website.. The funds come from reserves accumulated over the recent years and so do not impose a burden on current membership subscriptions. The budget, including $30 000 over 3 years was discussed and approved unanimously at the July 2007 AGM.

Why change the name?

The current members know what the NZMAA is about, as they have been bitten by the model flying bug and have joined the Association. The membership ranges from those who scratch build to their own plans, traditional kit builders through to the large numbers who only  fly ARF models.

 It was felt that the current name does not communicate what we actually do.

 Council commissioned some research with non modelers on their perception of the model flying and some name options  including the current name. The response across the whole age range to NZMAA was lowest in the “most preferred” stakes and highest in the “least preferred “.

What does rebranding mean?

Basically a “brand” are  the values associated with a name. Marketing companies spend millions of dollars trying to Brand “  products/services  with particular values  and attributes in the  hope people will be to attracted by them. A brand is essentially the reputation that a “name” earns. For NZMAA our brand is how we are perceived by others

The characteristics we want see associated with model flying are listed in the section Stage 1 rebranding.

As the NZMAA does not have millions of dollars to spend, our “brand” or reputation will be shaped by what we are seen to be doing and how we act. So every member is a key element is building a positive brand that will gain us new members and support locally and nationally.

Who's making the final decision and do I get a vote?

 Members vote to elect the Council, who manage the Association on behalf of all the members.

So Council make the decisions, but they do seek  feedback from the membership , and have done so over the name change.