We had hoped to provide a full update on the terms of our Article 16 Authorisation, which will define the future operating parameters for members when the European Regulations for unmanned aircraft (including model aircraft) come into effect on the 31st December 2020.  However, we are still thrashing out the final details with the CAA so will miss the print deadline for this issue of BMFA NEWS unfortunately.  We will of course communicate details to members through all available channels (includ...

England The Government have released updated guidance that comes into effect from 2nd December when local restriction tiers will replace the current National restrictions in England. Based on this guidance, and subject to Parliamentary confirmation, Model Flying Clubs in all Tiers can re-open; however, you are expected to operate in a Covid secure way. See https://clubsupport.bmfa.uk/6-steps-to-covid-secure The rule of 6 also applies in all Tiers and you should not organise gatherings of mor...

The British Model Flying Association presents 'In the Air Tonight' a series of webinars introducing the viewer to the many aspects of the amazing sport that is model aircraft flying.Each week the focus will be on a different discipline or element of model aircraft flying.To register for this Webinar go to https://zoom.us/webinar/register/2116061315205/WN_vZ97g-GIS96DhIkix3Rs3g AeroModeller magazine was launched in 1935 and in September this year celebrated its 1000th issue. Current editor Andrew...

The 73rd Annual General Meeting of the Society of Model Aeronautical Engineers LTD took place this afternoon, 14th November 2020 as an online webinar. The proposal put forward by the BMFA Council that membership fees remain unchanged for 2021 was accepted. We can therefore announce that the fees for 2021 will remain the same as for 2020 and are as follows. Senior £38 Junior £17 Family Partner £25 Family Junior £13 We can also confirm that the optional plastic membership card will also remain...

The AHA (Association of Helicopter Aerosports) is looking for 2 team managers  - one for F3C and the other for F3N for the 2021 World F3CN Championships in Romania (30 July – 6 August).  Ideally you would have experience of international competitions and have a good working knowledge of F3C / F3N and the FAI Sporting Code.  Duties will include preparations prior to the WCs ie. organising team uniform, team travel and accommodation and the day-to-day management of the team during the event.  G...

Members should continue to keep themselves updated on current government and NHS advice.  Please see  https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus for the latest information. Members are advised to follow the precautions provided by the NHS at all times details of which you can find here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/   England 5/11/2020 - 2/12/2020 The Government introduced restrictions from Thursday 5th November until 2nd December (at the earliest), which limit the reasons why peop...

Please note this guidance has been updated. See https://bmfa.org/News/News-Page/ArticleID/2695/LATEST-COVID-19-RESTRICTIONS-AND-MODEL-AIRCRAFT-FLYING-Updated-09-11-2020   Further to the announcement from the Prime Minister on Saturday regarding new restrictions in response to the rapidly increasing cases of COVID-19, we must now update our advice for England to reflect this.  Members should continue to keep themselves updated on current government and NHS advice.  Please see  https://www.gov....

Due to restrictions on face to face meetings it has been decided to hold the 2020 Free Flight Forum online using Zoom, opening at 10.00 GMT (London time) on Nov. 15th. Chaired by Mike Fantham, the speakers and topics are:    Simon Dixon – The Models of Ray Monks; Mike Woodhouse – Tame your F1B and Related Thoughts; John Emmett – Possible Future Uses for Electronics in Free Flight (Rule Changes May be Needed); Peter Martin – Simulated 3D Flight Dynamics- An Approach to Gain Insight for Trimm...

    To ensure your club activities are COVID Secure please see https://clubsupport.bmfa.uk/6-steps-to-covid-secure See Government advice on Covid alert levels (Tiers) at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-covid-alert-levels-what-you-need-to-know   Please note restrictions in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland differ from England. For Wales see https://gov.wales/coronavirus For Northern Ireland see https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/coronavirus-covid-19 For Scotland See https://...

JOHN STEVENS 1936-2020 Typical of aeromodellers of his age, John began in the hobby with free flight, progressed into control line and then – in the era of RCS reed gear – into radio control. He took advantage of Plessey sponsorship to graduate with an engineering degree, then moved to Air Link Trainers in Aylesbury in the ‘60s working on flight simulators, at a time when the technology utilised a camera ‘driven’ around model scenarios, with the mocked-up cockpit mounted on hydraulic jack...