Gonzi on a high, Muscat on the verge

With an elated boyish grin stamped on his face as he craned his neck to look at the model aircraft, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi confessed he had always wanted to pilot one of these toys.

"It has been the dream of my life... This is what I'll do when I retire from politics," Dr Gonzi said, as he joined a more nervous Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat flying model aircraft yesterday at the start of the Malta International Model Aero Show in Ta' Qali.

This year the show will feature the aircraft of two renowned flyers from the UK, Ali Machinchy and Paul Heckles, among others. The latter, who owns a flying school in the UK, was nominated official tutor and instructor for the day.

After the two politicians were given individual tours around the models, Mr Heckles handed them the controls and guided them through the process of handling and flying them.

Following a brief explanation, Dr Gonzi confidently took the controls and slowly but surely attempted to manoeuvre the aircraft against the strong winds. Rapt in concentration, his eye never left the trainer aircraft, which soared into the greying skies.

He quickly got the hang of it, and even managed to make his model loop and land safely. This was the second time Dr Gonzi had piloted a model aircraft.

With a nervous smile, Dr Muscat confessed this was his first: "I'm a virgin..."

After listening attentively to Mr Heckles' explanation, Dr Muscat somewhat reluctantly took the controls in hand. Although he managed to make his aircraft loop and soar, perhaps a little too high and a little too far, he was glad when it was over.

He preferred leaving the landing to Mr Heckles, who reassured him that flying a model was more difficult than flying the real thing.

This made the budget look easy, he joked, sighing with relief and reassuring those around him that although he might not be an expert flyer he had got his driving licence on his first attempt.

The Malta Model Aircraft Association and the Hal Far Model Flying Aircraft Association have joined forces for the first time to organise the show, having normally held separate events. About 120 aircraft will be featured. The highlights of the show are the aircraft owned by Mr Machinchy and Mr Heckles: a turbine-powered glider, estimated to cost €15,000, and a turbine-powered helicopter. The events, including an air-raid simulation, will run until Sunday afternoon.