** IMPORTANT UPDATE ** CAA PROPOSALS PLEASE READ & SHARE ** We would like to thank all members who have responded to the CAA consultation at https://consultations.caa.co.uk/finance/drone-registration/ and who have written to the Aviation Minister, CAA CEO and your local MPs’ Yesterday (3/5/2019), the BMFA's CEO has been contacted and asked to attend a meeting with the Aviation Minister, Baroness Vere of Norbiton. This has come about directly because of YOUR reaction to the CAA's proposal...

Updated list of Mandatory Questions. To take in to account recent changes to the regulations that affect the flying of model aircraft the list of Mandatory questions has been updated to reflect the changes. The new list is reproduced below and is also available to view on the achievement scheme website at https://achievements.bmfa.org/mandatory-questions the online quiz has also been updated to reflect the changes. See https://achievements.bmfa.org/quizzes/mandatory-questions-quiz All the sta...

Once again we would like to thank members for their efforts responding to the CAA consultation and writing to the Aviation Minister, CAA CEO and your local MP. We know a number of members have arranged meetings with their local MP which is a fantastic way of ensuring their engagement with the issue.   If you have a meeting arranged with your MP please email andy@bmfa.org and we can provide you with information and guidance which will be useful to you during your meetings. If you haven't yet ...

Further to the recent publication of CAP1775 which launched a consultation on the CAA's proposed arrangements for registration fees for operators of unmanned aircraft, the UK model flying association (BMFA/LMA/SAA & FPVUK) held a meeting last night with advisers. The text in CAP1775 is far more serious than the issue of registration fees alone.  The consultation reveals that key policy decisions (such as age limits, not allowing us to register members on their behalf and repetitive competen...

Following the recent sudden announcement of Flight Restriction Zones around protected aerodromes capturing the operation of all unmanned aircraft of any weight and at any height (and the unreasonable three week notice period given for our clubs and members to comply), the CAA have dropped yet another bombshell on us with no prior warning. They have today published a consultation (CAP1775) on their proposed charges for the registration of all operators of unmanned aircraft – which includes all ...

The Free Flight Forum Report is now in its thirty-fourth year. This year’s is just out and it’s the biggest yet, with no less than 17 papers, covering a vast range of the topics that make free-flight so fascinating.   Only Joules and Forces- Peter Watson; Classic 1/2A Models - Simon Dixon; Trimming the Sopwith Snipe - Mike Smith; Russell Strips - Russell Peers; Testing June 2016 Tan Super Sport in April 2017 - Tim Chant; Developments in Carbon Wing Construction - Stuart Darmon; ...

Following the recent changes to the Air Navigation Order (ANO) which introduced Flight Restriction Zones (FRZ) around protected Aerodromes (with effect from the 13th March), the CAA have now updated the PERMISSION for Association members to continue operating ‘conventional’ model aircraft (excluding multi-rotors) weighing less than 7Kg at heights exceeding 400ft.  The full text of this PERMISSION can be viewed HERE. There are a couple of important features contained within the new PERMISSION,...

Obituary by Terry Jones Northern Ireland Area Secretary & Achievement Scheme Co-ordinator It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Robert Wallace. He lost his battle with cancer and passed away peacefully at his home on 3rd April 2019. He leaves behind his dearly beloved wife Jacqui, much loved daughter Paula, son-in-law Columb, much loved granddaughter Clara. Robert was not only my good friend but also my mentor, small in stature but with a huge heart, I always say the bigge...

The application form for the 2019 Showline at the BMFA RC, CL & Scale National Championships in August is now available to download from the BMFA Nationals website at   http://bmfa-nats.org/power-nationals/showline  

Following the changes to the Air Navigation Order (ANO) which came into effect today, we have received a number of queries from members and clubs regarding the status of the existing CAA Permission to operate model aircraft (not including multi-rotors) of less than 7Kg above 400ft (and also the FPV Exemption) issued last year for the benefit of those operating within one of the recognised UK Associations. The Permission/Exemption documents require updates to reflect the recent changes to the te...