I published an update on the BMFA website on 23rd August (https://bmfa.org/News/News-Page/ArticleID/2608/An-update-on-the-UK-regulations-for-model-flyers ) which provided a summary of our position at that time. This was also going to be the basis of my article for the forthcoming issue of the BMFA NEWS. However, the very next day I received a telephone call to tell me that the new Secretary of State for Transport (the Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP) had picked up the case for us and would ‘be in touch...

The EU regulations for Unmanned Aircraft were published in the Official Journal of the European Union on the 11th June and the Implementing Regulation will become applicable on 1st July, 2020. The CAA have recently published CAP1789 which provides a detailed guide to the EU regulations which you can find here: http://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP1789%20EU%20UAS%20Regulations-Guidance.pdf CAP1789 includes a paragraph specifically relating to model aircraft which states: Additional provision...

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Guidance for the safe and effective use of Lithium Polymer batteries in model aircraft is now available to download from the BMFA Handbook and Guidance download page or click on the image below to download.    

We have recently introduced an optional Travel Insurance Scheme for BMFA members travelling overseas for the purpose of model flying. The scheme is provided by ACE Europe and includes a comprehensive range of benefits including coverage of medical expenses, repatriation costs, loss of personal belongings and money, cover for travel disruption, cover for personal liability and legal expenses.  It also provides cover in the event of death or disablement. The Travel Insurance can...

A man from Cumbria has become the first person in the UK to be successfully prosecuted for the dangerous and illegal flying of an unmanned aircraft. Robert Knowles was found to have flown the device in restricted airspace over a nuclear submarine facility, as well as allowing the device to fly too close to a vehicle bridge. Both offences breached the UK’s Air Navigation Order. Mr Knowles, of Barrow-in-Furness, was found guilty on Tuesday 1 April 2014 and fined £800 at Furness and Dis...

It is with much sadness that we report the death of Ron Firth FSMAE, who passed away on 20 Dec 2013 at the age of 85. Ron had been an active aeromodeller for much of his life, and in November 1970 he had been appointed a Fellow of the Society of Model Aeronautical Engineers.   He also served as Society Chairman during 1971-1972.  In later life he became an avid plastic model constructor, graduating from Airfix to scratch-build vacu-formed models...