S E Area newsletter - BMFA South East Area...tion and test, annual pilot test and registration of...
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S E Area newsletter Inside this issue: Chairman’s Chat 1 - 2 Ashdown and Long Man permits 2 - 3 S E Area Calendar 4 AGM Minutes 6 - 8 OGM Minutes 9 - 12 Flight Fest organiz- er needed 3 Rather a slim news- letter this time due to the lack of articles, just my ramblings and some offi- cial notices. I would ask you to note the official parts even if you skim over my ramblings. A big congratulations to Cliff Whittaker from Fel- bridge Flyers for his award of Honorary Mem- bership to the BMFA. Cliff has been working tire- lessly in the background with Dave Phipps to en- sure the new drone regu- lations have the least amount of impact on Model Flying as possible. This has taken an ex- traordinary amount of work to get us where we are today, which is a long way away from where it started, which was along the lines of £65 registra- tion and test, annual pilot test and registration of each aircraft with a cost to be determined. So a registration cost of £9 and if you hold a BMFA Achievement Certificate no need to take the com- petency test. Not that the CAA or BMFA online tests are hard, so this is not a bad outcome. What we must also not forget are the Exemptions from the legislation that have been negotiated, like no 400ft height limit for fixed wing aircraft below 7Kg. The after school model aero club I run is going from strength to strength, we now have 12 students that attend. Two female students have been en- couraged to join us and are giving the chaps a run for their money on the building front. They appear to have better dexterity when working with fragile mate- rials. We are currently building Freebird Ornithop- ters built from plans from https:// www.ornithopter.org/ plans.shtml. As its an old plan, all the dimensions are in good old feet and inches so I sup- plied a conversion chart but when you get down to 1/16th 1/32nd and 1/64th they don't convert to mm very easily, but we seem to be getting there. It was in- teresting seeing the stu- dents trying to bend wire to make the hinges for the wing. They had to bend two pieces of 2” 1/32nd wire into as a simple “Z” Chairman’s Chat December 2019
Transcript of S E Area newsletter - BMFA South East Area...tion and test, annual pilot test and registration of...
S E Area
newsletter
Inside this issue:
Chairman’s Chat 1 - 2
Ashdown and Long
Man permits
2 - 3
S E Area Calendar 4
AGM Minutes 6 - 8
OGM Minutes 9 - 12
Flight Fest organiz-
er needed
3
Rather a slim news-
letter this time due to the lack of articles, just my ramblings and some offi-cial notices. I would ask you to note the official parts even if you skim over my ramblings. A big congratulations to Cliff Whittaker from Fel-bridge Flyers for his award of Honorary Mem-bership to the BMFA. Cliff has been working tire-lessly in the background with Dave Phipps to en-sure the new drone regu-lations have the least amount of impact on Model Flying as possible. This has taken an ex-traordinary amount of work to get us where we are today, which is a long way away from where it started, which was along the lines of £65 registra-tion and test, annual pilot test and registration of each aircraft with a cost to be determined. So a registration cost of £9 and if you hold a BMFA Achievement Certificate no need to take the com-petency test. Not that the CAA or BMFA online tests are hard, so this is not a bad outcome. What
we must also not forget are the Exemptions from the legislation that have been negotiated, like no 400ft height limit for fixed wing aircraft below 7Kg. The after school model aero club I run is going from strength to strength, we now have 12 students that attend. Two female students have been en-couraged to join us and are giving the chaps a run for their money on the building front. They appear to have better dexterity when working with fragile mate-rials. We are currently building Freebird Ornithop-ters built from plans from https://www.ornithopter.org/plans.shtml. As its an old plan, all the dimensions are in good old feet and inches so I sup-plied a conversion chart but when you get down to 1/16th 1/32nd and 1/64th they don't convert to mm very easily, but we seem to be getting there. It was in-teresting seeing the stu-dents trying to bend wire to make the hinges for the wing. They had to bend two pieces of 2” 1/32nd wire into as a simple “Z”
Chairman’s Chat
December 2019
shape and both had to be identical to make the geometry of the flapping work. After much ”Can I have another piece of wire as these are not the same” requests I ended up making a bunch of them myself for those who found bending wire to a pattern diffi-cult. By the time this goes out they should all have finished the models and will see if and how they fly. One student has a Dancing Wing Hob-by Sunbird kit, an Electric RC glider, and is building it at the club. He is making fair progress and very keen but struggles with keeping things square as the motor mount will need some packing to set the thrust line correct.
The Area indoor competition at the K2 Leisure Center will be taking place on Saturday 15th February next year; it will be the 45th running of this annual meeting. This year we were able to break even for the first time for a number of years and I hope we can do the same next year. Why not come along and spectate or have a go. Competitions are made up of a number of different classes. Catapult glider (max span 12 inches), HLG, EZB, Living Room Stick, Gyminnie Cricket, Open Scale, Peanut Scale and Legal Eagle. Plus mass launches for the Butterfly and Hangar Rat. If you don’t fancy competing then just come along for the fun fly section. Flitehook models https://www.flitehook.net/ are due to be there on the day for any modeling supplies you may need. The Area will be running its usual events next year; see meeting minutes for events. We will also look at running an Area Examiners/Instructors workshop but we need Instructors and Examiners to sign up to make it worth running. More information will be sent out early next year. This only leaves me to wish you all a Happy Christmas and New Year and hope for clear skies and light winds in 2020.
Stuart Willis --oo00oo--
If you have kept up-to-date with the Area meetings and read the last newslet-ter you will know the BMFA has changed the way it funds the Areas. Up to now the Area has funded the licences for Ashdown Forest and Long Man, with assistance from clubs that use the sites. But with the changes to Area funding the cost of the licences will have to be born by those who use the sites.
S E Area newsletter Page 2
Ashdown forest/Long Man Permits
As of 2020 if you do not compete in Free flight Competitons on the Forest, or are a member of East Sussex Soaring Association or Slope Soaring Sussex, you will need to purchase a Permit to fly at either of the flying sites. The Permit will cost £10 per annum per site and can be purchased online from the Area website at https://southeast.bmfa.org/ under the Area Flying Sites Tab. Once you have entered your personal details and selected which site you plan to fly at (you will need to purchase a permit for each location), submit your Credit or Debit card details and you will then receive a confirma-tion email with your Permit details, which you will need to have available if you get asked for it by Rangers on the Forest or by East Sussex Soaring As-sociation members at Long Man. Please note the Card Payment System is the same as the BMFA GoMembership uses and NO card information is collected or kept by the BMFA.
In 2019 there were a number of successful FlightFest Events that resulted in new members. The BMFA would like to get all Areas involved in 2020 Flight-fest so, to this end, the Areas have been asked appoint an Area FlightFest Coordinator to liaise with head office and clubs that want to run events. This was discussed at the recent Area meeting, but no one came forward at the meeting to take on the job. The BMFA is loosing members at an alarming rate; this must mean that Clubs are also. We therefore need to encourage people to take up the hobby/sport and join clubs, which will in turn bolster BMFA membership. I know clubs in the Area run Family Days, Fly ins, etc. so if I can persuade someone to take up the position of FlightFest Coordinator, I would like the person to bring all the club and Area events under one umbrella of an Area’s FlightFest that could be promoted by the whole of the BMFA. There is a large amount of support documentation images to help out with promoting events at https://bmfa.org/FlightFest If you feel this is something you would like to take on then please contact me at: [email protected] or 07950458764
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Area FlightFest Coordinator wanted
S E Area newsletter Page 4
2020 S E Area Events
DATE TITLE VENUE CONTACT
15th February Area indoor
Free flight
K2 Crawley [email protected]
26th July Area Scale Day Hastings Club
field
1st August Cloud Tramp Epsom Downs [email protected]
Area Chief Examiners
NAME E-MAIL PHONE DISCIPLINES
Mike Sun (Cheam) [email protected]
02086430417 FW SF
Kevin Beale
(Lower Beeding)
01403891118 SF
Garry Bunclarke
(Whitstable)
gar-ry.bunclark@isgplc
01227794098 FW
Mick Galvin
(Horsham)
01403242871 FW
Dave Knott
(Worthing)
01903501462 FW HELI
Colin McGinn
(Herne Bay)
01622850995 HELI
Rob Creasey
(Bexhill on Sea)
01424 733067 FW HELI
Derek Henzell
(Staines)
07831510674 HELI
James Gordon
(Caterham)
07966 439835 FW
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S E Ar e a N ew s le t t e r
Editor
Norman Carter
Mertony Furzefield Road
East Grinstead
W Sussex RH19 2JN
S E Area website
www.sebmfa.org.uk
SE Area does have a facebook
page which is useful for circulat-
ing information - don’t worry you
don’t have to sign up to Face-
book and we won’t ask to be
your friend (or even like us!!).
Disclaimer - The ideas expressed by authors are their per-
sonal viewpoint and not necessarily those of the BMFA
https://www.facebook.com/BMFA.South.East.Area?
Contacts
Whos who in S E Area……...
Chairman: Stuart Willis, 1 Midgeley Road, Northgate, Crawley RH10 8EE. Tel 01293
402733. Email: [email protected]
Vice Chairman: Robert Richardson, 43 Rocks Park Road, Uckfield, TN22 2AS. Tel
01825 762372. Mob. 07850843917, Email: [email protected]
Treasurer: Jim Tucker, Rathkirby, London Road, Crowborough, TN6 2TX. Tel 01892
661203. Email: [email protected]
Secretary: Chris Searle, 19 Austen Close, East Grinstead, W Sussex, RH19 1RZ. Tel 01342 325535. Email:
Council Delegate: Stuart Willis, 1 Midgeley Road, Northgate, Crawley RH10 8EE. Tel
01293 402733. Email: [email protected]
Newsletter Editor: Norman Carter, Mertony Furzefield Road, East Grinstead, W Sussex, RH19 2JN . Tel
01342 327077. Email: [email protected]
Education Co-ordinator: Taj Manning, 16 Savill Road, Lindfield, Sussex, RH16 2NX.
Tel 07734 986168 . Email: [email protected]
Achievement Scheme Co-ordinator: Bob Hart, 2 Sunnymount, Station Road, Rotherfield,
East Sussex. TN6 3HJ. Tel 01892 852137. Email: [email protected]
Flying Discipline Secretary: Alex Cameron, 31 Stafford Road, Langley Green, Crawley, West Sussex, RH11 7LA. 07804748333. Email: [email protected] Webmaster: Stuart Willis, 1 Midgeley Road, Northgate, Crawley RH10 8EE. Tel 01293
402733. Email: [email protected]
Minutes of the BMFA S E Area held on 13th November 2019
The AGM commenced at 07:30pm
Present;
Apologies from;
Minutes of the previous meeting;
Agreed to be a true record.
Matters arising from the previous meeting;
Nothing.
Name Area Role Club
Stuart Willis Chairman Felbridge Flyers
Robert Richardson Vice Chairman Hastings MFC and Horam MFC
Jim Tucker Treasurer Wealden and Hastings MFC
Chris Searle Secretary Felbridge Flyers
Bob Hart A.S. co-ordinator Wealden MFC and Eastbourne MFC
Richard Pidduck Member Caterham and District MFC
David Lambert Member E.D.M.A.C
James Gordon A.C.E Caterham and District MFC
Paul Holmes Member G.A.C
Ian Garrett Member C.A.M.F.C
John Collins Member G.A.C
Emma Chase Member C.A.M.F.C
Name Area Role Club
Roger Marples Member E.D.M.A.C.
Taj Manning Education co- Mid-Sussex Flyers
John Phllips Member E.S.S.A
Peter Burgess Member E.S.S.A
Martin Jones Member E.R.F.C
Rob Stanley Member Slope Soaring Sussex
Alex Cameron FF Comp Sec Crawley & District MAC
Peter Bennett Member North Kent Nomads
Officers reports;
Chairman and Council Delegate;
The Area has been unable to fill the post of PRO for the past few years, and this year is no different. Saying this, the Area’s social media, website, emails and newsletter appear to be working well, keeping clubs and members
up-to-date with what is going on in the Area.
The Area ran its indoor competition at the K2 Leisure Centre in February this year, with a change of day from Sunday to Saturday. The move to a Saturday appeared to add to the number of spectators we had. This seemed
to be from parents of youngsters at K2 for other activities who saw the models flying and deciding to return with their children later in the day to have a better look and, as kids do, “Dad can I have one”, leading to the traders doing a roaring trade in ready to fly models. For the first time in a number of years the event broke
even.
A number of flying events have been organised and run this year; Fun-Fly, Electric, Scale Fly-In and Scale compe-titions. All bar the Electric Fly-In the turnout was better than in previous years. We believe this is due to the
information getting to members via the various media outlets we now use.
We did not run any Examiners Workshops this year due to the lack of take-up amongst examiners across the
Area in previous years. We will review this in 2020.
After the success of the school enrichment day the Area ran at the Warden Park Academy in 2018, we were asked back this year, and to do it over two days this time. The days were made up of an introduction to the BMFA, an explanation of the different types of models, and flying disciplines covered by the BMFA. Then the
students got the chance to build a BMFA Dart, trim it out, then fly it. Finally, back to the classroom for a Quiz and prize giving to the best students over the day. Over the two days over forty Darts were built and flown. It
has proved very popular with the students, some joining the after-school club. We have been asked back in
2020.
The funding for Long Man and Ashdown Forest licences will have to change in 2020 due to the changes in the
way Areas are funded. The cost will now have to be borne by the people that fly on the sites. We plan to use the Area website to enable people to purchase permits to fly on Long Man and Ashdown For-est. People that belong to clubs that fly at Long Man will not be required to purchase permits as these clubs
already contribute a large part of the licence cost.
Likewise, people that fly in the competitions on the forest will not need a permit as part of the competition
entry fee will go to the cost of the licence. This will be discussed at the OGM to follow the AGM
We are still seeing more clubs represented at Area committee meetings than in previous years, which is very
encouraging, and we would like this to continue.
Vice Chairman;
Nothing to report.
Treasurer;
Current funds = £3783.00
Estimated expenditure in 2020 = £2430.00
Estimated income in 2020 = £1730.00
Difference between expenditure and income = -£700.00
Estimated balance end of 2020 = £3083.00
Secretary;
Nothing to report.
Achievement Scheme Co-Ordinator;
The following Area Chief Examiners were ratified for 2020 by a unanimous vote.;
Kevin Beale, Gary Bunclarke, Mick Galvin, Dave Knott, Colin McGinn, Derek Henzell, Rob Creasey, James
Gordon and Mike Sun.
Education Co-Ordinator;
Nothing to report.
Flying Discipline Secretary (Free Flight);
Nothing to report.
Re-election of Officers;
The following positions were due for re-election his year;
Vice Chairman
Secretary
Achievement Scheme Co-ordinator
Education officer
All current post holders were prepared to continue and no other nominations had been received. It was pro-posed by Richard Pidduck and seconded by Dave Lambert that the existing committee members due for re-
election were re-elected for another term. This was carried by a unanimous vote.
Returns to BMFA Head Office;
Jim Tucker will send in the Area Accounts at the end of the year.
Chris Searle will complete the online Officer Information following the AGM.
The meeting closed at 7:55pm
Minutes of the BMFA S E Area OGM held on 13th November
2019
The OGM commenced at 20:00
Present;
Apologies from;
Minutes of the previous meeting;
Agreed to be a true record.
Matters arising from the previous meeting;
Nothing more has been heard about the he aerobatic “C” test request which was passed to James Gordon in
May.
Name Area Role Club
Stuart Willis Chairman Felbridge Flyers
Robert Richardson Vice Chair- Hastings MFC and Horam MFC
Chris Searle Secretary Felbridge Flyers
Jim Tucker Treasurer Wealden and Hastings MFC
Richard Pidduck Member Caterham and District MFC
Bob Hart A.S. co- Wealden MFC and Eastbourne MFC
David Lambert Member E.D.M.A.C
James Gordon A.C.E Caterham and District MFC
Paul Holmes Member G.A.C
Ian Garrett Member C.A.M.F.C
John Collins Member G.A.C
Emma Chase Member C.A.M.F.C
Name Area Role Club
Rob Stanley Member Slope Soaring Sussex
Peter Burgess Member E.S.S.A
Martin Jones Member E.R.F.C
Alex Camer-
on FF Comp Sec Crawley & District MAC
Taj Manning Education co-
ordinator Mid-Sussex Flyers
Peter Bennett Member North Kent Nomads
Roger
Marples Member E.D.M.A.C
John Phillips Member E.S.S.A
Officers reports;
Chairman and Council Delegate;
I attended the September Full council meeting.
The morning and part of the afternoon was spent going over the account for the
year ending March 2019 that showed a surplus of £6337 and the proposed budgets
for the next financial year that are to be put forward at the AGM this 16th Novem-
ber.
There is no proposed increase in membership subscriptions despite the continuing decline in member-
ship, this is due to the cutting back of all departments proposed budgets. With the unknown impact of
the Drone Registration 2020 budgets may have to be review throughout the year.
The recommendation of Membership Fees for 2020:
Senior £38
Junior £17
Family Partner £25
Family Junior £13
Reports back on the NAT’s this year were excellent from the RAF staff. The 2 days of fine weather did
not increase the number of spectators through the gate. Although the accounts are not finalised yet its is
expected that a small loss was made. Although not guaranteed until the RAF says so it is hoped that the
NAT’s in 2020 will run.
Time was spent going over the DRES system and the work that Dave Phipps Roger, Hopkinson MBE
and Cliff Whittaker have been doing. Some of this has changed since the meeting so will not cover it
here.
The list of 2019 Award winners were discussed and approved but as I’m not sure if they have all been
informed I will say no more.
The FIA competition licence cost was ratified and will remain the same for 2020.
The investigation on getting parts of the BMFA charitable status is still under way. Kevin Richards who
has done a lot of work getting charitable status for organisation will be helping the steering committee.
The proposal from South Midland Area for a BMFA Award for Club Newsletter or Website of the Year
was withdrawn.
I attended the Area’s meeting in October.
The subject of area funding and the submitted area budges were discuss for some time. Of the 7 areas
that submitted budgets there was an increase of about 40% so some may have to be cut back. At the
time of writing I have not heard about ours.
The safety review committee are interested in incidents that do not end in insurance claims to this end
an online “Non-blame” indecent form would be published to enable people to report such incidents. This
will give them a better idea as to the type of incidents that happen.
The F/W B certificate flying Video is to be published soon (this has now been done) It is recommended
that people register with the ASRC website so they will get informed when achievements updates are
published. The 2020 updates are now available from the ASRC website.
Some time was spent on the 2019 Flight Fest initiative and its running in 2020.
This is to be covered later in the meeting.
Area returns will be done via online forms.
Vice Chairman;
Robert informed the meeting that he had been in contact with Andy Symons regarding trial flights for visitors and the Drone registration scheme. This generated much discussion on how the scheme will work which
raised a number of questions.
When training using a buddy box which if the instructor is in charge whose ID number should be on the
aircraft?
If using club owned aircraft to train someone which number should be applied to the aircraft?
Does the BPC test exempt a person from taking the CAA test?
How can people register if they don’t use computers? The BMFA’s statement that insurance cover could be in question in the event of a claim creates uncertain-
ty which needs clarification.
Stuart stated that a meeting between the BMFA and CAA is scheduled for 14th November and training is on
the agenda and also there is a paper version of the test available.
All the club representatives present agreed that item (5) needs a definitive statement from the BMFA to re-
move any uncertainty and Stuart Willis agreed to raise the question on behalf of the Area.
Treasurer;
The Area should ensure that a small reserve is available for unexpected expense.
Secretary; Chris had booked the meeting room for all the 2020 dates and details were passed to the Chairman and the
Treasurer.
Achievement Scheme Co-Ordinator; A situation had arisen whereby a test for club examiner was unable to be carried out by the local Chief Exam-iner. The next closest C.E. is some distance away which led to the realisation that there is a lack of C.E.s in
the centre of the Area. Stuart offered to put a request in the next newsletter and Chris would email clubs in the mid Kent area. In the interim Stuart confirmed that travelling expenses could be paid if another CE trav-
elled to the applicants flying site and Bob agreed to put this to the next nearest CE. Bob suggested that we run an Achievement Scheme Workshop in 2020 and the meeting agreed with this pro-
posal.
Education Co-Ordinator;
Nothing to report.
Flying Discipline Secretary (Free Flight);
Nothing to report
SE Area Events in 2020;
Fun Fly at North Kent Nomads
The North Kent Nomads Club can host the event again in 2020 and it was suggested that early July would be
preferable. Provisionally it will be a competition day for anyone to enter, so no certificates will be needed. There will be two classes, novice and the more experienced and there will be a range of competitions to suit
everyone. The day will hopefully be a great time for getting club flyers into fun fly and having a lot of fun at the
same time.
ERRFC Electric Fly in and Scale Day
The ERRFC Club are expected to run both events again in 2020.
Area Scale Day at Hastings Club
Scheduled to take place on the 26th July 2020.
Cloud Tramp on Epsom Downs
Scheduled to take place on the 1st August 2020.
K2 indoor meeting
Scheduled for Saturday the 15th February 2020. Advertising copy has been sent to the modelling press.
Flight Fest In 2020 this initiative will be driven by the Areas with a target of 20% of clubs being involved. A co-ordinator is required from within the Area to plan the dates between participating clubs and also liaise with Andy Symons in
promoting the events. The Area will need to somehow find a person willing to take on this role.
Area Bank Account;
A new bank account has been arranged with Barclays, they will arrange the transfer of funds. The new account will have 3 signatories to ensure that the Area can continue to function in the event of one of
them being unavailable. Head office will be informed once the new account is up and running.
Area 2020 Budget;
The new Area budget will come into effect in April 2020. There is a basic allowance of £600.00 (A)to cover eve-
ry day running of the Area. It has been estimated that expenditure on Area events and activities will be £2830.00 (B)which is offset by an income of £1420.00 (C)from events and the Ashdown Forest site. This results
in a funding request of (A+B-C) £2010.00. The new licensing system to help fund the Ashdown Forest and Long Man sites will be available in 2020 on the Area web site. A £10.00 payment for each licence will be made to the BMFA who will return £9.50 to the Area.
The Ashdown Rangers can check that only licence holders fly there and ESSA will manage the Long Man (which is nearly funded by ESSA anyway). The rental payments for 2020 are already included in the current Area funds
and the licence revenue will provide for 2021 onwards.
A.O.B;
None
D.O.N.M;
8:00pm on 8th January 2020
The meeting closed at 9:40pm.
