SA Model Glider team 2018 (F3J)
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Model Gliders F3J
SA Model Glider team 2018 (F3J)
are practicing Model Gliders F3J
in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
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The team
Craig Goodrum (Senior) – Craig is the most experienced SA international competitive glider pilot. He has been to multiple national championships over the years and a big driver behind the development of young RC glider pilots in South Africa. Craig also represented South Africa in 2017 at the F3K World Championship. Craig says: “I have been doing this too long for a biography – F3B, F3J, F3K….. still haven’t won. Had lots of fun, made great friends, saw interesting places, crashed a few planes, taught kids some useful stuff and some not so useful stuff and used a lot of sunscreen. I hope to keep doing this until the body, mind or money or all 3 run out.”
Alan Smith (Senior) – Alan was born to a flying family. He grew up flying everything and anything from age 5 and started with RC gliders at 12. He flew gliders and control line at National level at age 13. After some years of speed skating, he returned to flying. Being very competitive he has taken part in numerous F3J and F3K world championships and other international events including F3B. He achieved 4th place in 2017 F3K World Championships. He enjoys flying Old Timers, helicopters, float flying, slope flying, control line aerobatics, free flight, electric flying, and pylon racing
Juanita Smith (Senior) –Juanita would be one of the few woman participants in this year’s world championship and she has 10 years of flying experience and has been the team manager at previous World Championships. Juanita is also one of the very dedicated people supporting the South African Model Aircraft Association activities for many years. Juanita says “I fly but sometimes my arms get tired then I walk”
Aldo Vos (Junior) – Aldo Vos started his interest in model planes from when he could remember going with his Dad to the flying field. He was interested in flying from very young and owned his 1st fixed wing at age 11 and was flying solo 2 weeks later. He is also very into drones and drone racing but started to focus on competitive glider flying since age 14 and put in all effort in 2017 to become the new no 1 model glider pilot in South Africa and flies several different classes of gliders at age 15. Coached by Experienced pilots, Craig and Alan who helped our previous Junior pilot, Tiaan van Rooyen in 2017 to achieve Gold in the F3K world championship and another 1st place at an international competition, Aldo has the best backing behind him to prepare for his first world championship.
Michelle Goodrum (Team Manager) – Michelle is the team manager with many years of flying experience and team management background. Michelle was key in ensuring a winning bid to host the 2012 World championship in South Africa. Michelle would have been team manager for the 2017 F3K team but was diagnosed with cancer and had to undergo treatment and surgery. Her determination and fighting spirit got her back into the sport and will ensure the team is supported and managed to ensure a smooth championship to ensure the pilots can focus on their flying