At some time in the 1950’s, the Eastern Suburbs Model Aero Club (ESMAC) obtained the plans for a 60 foot line radius Carrier Deck, complete with arrestor ropes, superstructure, etc. It is pictured here at the Albert Park flying field, on the edge of the lake. Contestants were scored for a low-speed run, a high-speed run, then a successful landing on the deck with arrestor hook dropped and extended.

The Roberts third-line control system was used almost exclusively, with only a couple using the floating bellcrank system.

Unfortunately, following construction and when fitting the ropes, the designed 5 pound weights were apparently not available,

but 15 pound ex-window-sash weights were! So, three ropes were attached to just one 15 pound weight at each end - 5 pound per end per rope - right?

The result? -

An effective 30 pound arresting weight per rope instead of the designed 10. The error was eventually discovered, but only after countless models had their arrestor hooks ripped out! Even models using only their undercarriage for being arrested suffered damage.

This deck was subsequently used for many, many years until it literally rotted away.

VCLA Carrier Deck at Moorabbin Airport Oval (close to CLAM flying field)

Thirty years on and CLAMF Aerosports has decided to commence regular Navy Carrier operations once again.

Model Airplane News September 1972 states:

“Probably any flyer, from the Sunday sport to the die hard competition flyer would on occasion like to find a low pressure event in which he/she can be competitive without having to devote his/her life and fortune to achieve this end” ….

Over the years Navy Carrier has gained a reputation for spills, thrills and tumbles – truly a pilot’s event. Navy Carrier also offers enough of a flying challenge with a combination of high and low speed flying followed by a precision? ‘arrested’ landing.

Flying consists of a takeoff from the forward portion of the deck followed by high-speed flight of seven laps. After the high speed

portion of the flight, the contestant slows the model and signals the low-speed of the event (seven laps). When slow flight is complete, the contestant lands the model on the aft portion of the deck so that the tail hook on the model catches one of the arresting ropes. The ropes are tied to sand bags which stop the model.

Navy Carrier forms an integral part of the Club's ‘FUN’ strategy (F2A, F2B, F2C, F2D, FUN) in a move to promote control line flying.

CLAMF Aerosports still retains focus on FAI F2 style competition Aerosports.

CLAMF Aerosports members have constructed a state-of-the-art 8 section deck totalling 32 feet (9.75 metres) in length specifically for the event. See picture below.