Flying remote control model aircraft replaced politics for a few minutes this afternoon with both Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Opposition leader Joseph Muscat testing their skills at the Ta’ Qali Model Flying airstrip.

Both successfully flew their machines and even managed a loop.

First to try his hand was Dr Gonzi, who, this being his second attempt at remote control flying, looked confident and once he had the remote control in his hands became a boy with a new toy.

The less experienced Dr Muscat, was not so confident and made more than one attempt to return the remote control to the instructor during his few minutes of flying.

“The budget was easy compared to this,” he said jokingly.

But like Dr Gonzi, he was focused and concentrated and this paid off.

Dr Gonzi and Dr Muscat were instructed by Paul Heckels, the owner of a flying school in the UK.

Ta Qali this weekend will host a Model Aircraft Extravaganza being put up jointly by the Hal Far Model Flying Association and the Malta Model Aircraft Flying Association. They will display and fly their aircraft for most of the two days.