Model flying is the UK's largest airsport with a rich and proud history of aviation pioneering. Our fun, exciting and challenging sport is enjoyed by participants of all ages and abilities, with diverse interests from traditional model building and flying, through to the very latest drone technology. As the UK's governing body, the British Model Flying Association proudly represents over 30,000 members and 800 flying clubs. Founded in 1922 and mandated by The Royal Aero Club of the United Kingd...

From 14th September new restrictions apply to social gatherings in outdoor spaces in England and Scotland.  The number of people allowed in an outdoor gathering has reduced from 30 to 6, appropriately socially-distanced unless from the same household.  However, organised sport is one of several exemptions to the new restrictions, provided that it is conducted in accordance with COVID-19 Secure guidelines. The guidance below offers practical advice on the measures that should be taken by model f...

The CAA have issued a notice that the jamming activity being conducted by the military affecting airspace in and around Salisbury Plain and the New Forest will now be finishing at night fall on Monday 14 September rather than 18 September as reported previously (see the original information HERE). The activity may affect some electronic situational awareness devices and UAV systems operating on 433MHz, 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz. Jamming may impact systems up to 1000FT AMSL within a geographical area bo...

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...

Members will be aware that the Government is re-introducing tighter restrictions on social gatherings from Monday 14th September. As yet there is not enough information available to determine how this will affect model flying.  We will issue further guidance on the website as soon as such information becomes available.

In this seminar the BMFA Club Support Officer and Risk Assessment expert, Kevin Watson, will talk about the need for and process of conducting a risk assessment at your model flying club and aim to demystify the process.   The seminar will take place using Zoom on Thursday 24th September at 7.30pm.   If you would like to join in teh seminar you will need to register using the online form at https://clubsupport.bmfa.uk/ra-seminar

2020 FREE FLIGHT FORUM – venue change The thirty-sixth BMFA Free-Flight Forum will open at 10 a.m. on Nov. 15th, the day after the AGM, at the Mercure Daventry Court Hotel, Sedgemoor Way, Daventry NN110SG, not at Buckminster. This year we have a wide variety of speakers and the topics they’ll cover are:  Simon Dixon - The Models of Ray Monks; John Emmett  - Electronics in the Service of Free Flight; Stuart Darmon - Building Other People's Mistakes[M1] ; Phil Ball -  Building in Lock-Down; Su...

We have received notification of three ‘jamming trials’ which may impact the operation of model aircraft and drones.  The details are as follows: Luce Bay, Scotland – 14th September – 4th December: http://skywise.caa.co.uk/jamming-trial-8-sep-4-dec-luce-bay/  affecting GPS and 2.4/5.8GHz  (Start date changed from 8th Sept) Wales & SW England – 7th – 11th September: http://skywise.caa.co.uk/jamming-trial-impacting-gnss-gps-7-11-september-wales-and-sw-england/  affecting GPS on drones ...

PETER KING  11-8-40 to 23-8-20 Born during the Blitz, Peter King joined the Surbiton club in 1952 and placed third in the Frog Junior free-flight contest at the Nats the year after, at the age of 13. He later joined Croydon & DMAC but at the same time taught himself clarinet and alto sax, developing a great feel for modern jazz, in particular the be-bop techniques of Charlie Parker. At the age of nineteen he was asked to play alto at the opening night of Ronnie Scott’s jazz club in 1959, a...

It is intended to hold the thirty-sixth BMFA Free Flight Forum on Sunday, Nov. 15th, the day after the AGM, at the National Centre at Buckminster, starting at 10.00. This year’s Forum depends on several things. The COVID-19 situation in November is unknown, and at present we need at least six more papers to make a viable Forum. Because of that it is important that you check on the BMFA website news page: https://bmfa.org/News/News-Page   before travelling. The decision will be made and announc...