Despite Covid and thanks to Zoom, the Free Flight Forum took place in November and the 2021 Free Flight Forum Report is now available. It covers a wide range of topics to inform, challenge and inspire you, whatever your free-flight interest and for the first time, it’s in full colour.Indoor Duration - A Challenge to Conventional Design - Tony Hebb; Coupe in a Box - Gavin Manion; Building Other People's Mistakes - Stuart Darmon; The Models of Ray Monks – Simon Dixon;  Si...

It is with great sadness that we report the death of our long-term Patron, HRH Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh.Prince Philip became Patron of the Society of Model Aeronautical Engineers (now trading as BMFA) in 1957 and, despite relinquishing many of his patronages when he stepped back from public duties over recent years, he remained in place as our patron for a remarkable 64 years.  Prince Philip also served two terms as Chairman of the Royal Aero Club and had also served as its Preside...

Gordon Cornell, one of the great characters of UK aeromodelling, has died peacefully at the age of 88. Probably as famous for his eccentric personality as for his enormous talent as an engineer and craftsman, Gordon’s whole life was lived in model aviation, from his professional involvement with FROG and ED in the fifties, to his cottage industry supplying hand- built diesel engines, which occupied him until his brief final illness.         &nbs...

BMFA Nationals 2021Now that most clubs have been able to open again I hope that many of you have had the opportunity to dust off the cobwebs and get back into the air.  With the weather starting to warm up (the last couple of days being an exception!) thoughts turn to what the summer has in store and I am sure that many of you will be wondering what the prospects are for a return to RAF Barkston Heath for this year’s Nationals – both Free Flight in May and the Power Nats in Augu...

The BMFA Article 16 Authorisation includes a requirement for remote pilots to report certain accidents, serious incidents and other occurrences to the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).  This was an existing requirement, but has been emphasised in the terms of our Authorisation.To read the full guidance about mandatory occurrence reporting see https://rcc.bmfa.uk/art16-occurrence-reporting If you have been involved in an incident and are not sur...

Obituary for Chris Tompkins - RIPWe are greatly saddened to report the passing of Chris Tompkins during February 2021. Chris started aeromodelling in 1946 while still at school and joined the Oxford Meteor Model Flying Club in 1948 and was then flying free-flight power and later became active in R/C thermal soaring competitions. He played a major part in establishing BARCS (British Association of Radio Control Soarers) as the special interest group within the BMFA. He was BARCS member ...

WalesThe overarching stay-at-home restriction will be replaced with a new, interim, stay local rule in Wales. This will mean people can leave their homes and travel within their local area – usually within five miles – but this will be flexible, particularly for people who live in rural areas and for those whose nearest shops and public services are further away. Outdoor sports facilities can reopen, including model flying club sites. A maximum of four people from two households can ...

The latest guidance video from the Achievement Scheme Review Committee premieres this evening at 7.30pm on YouTube Click the following link to watch a short trailerhttps://youtu.be/_nc_2a2JptM 

The signs for a return to the skies in England soon are looking promising. The Government COVID-19 Response -Spring 2021 indicates that clubs should be able to re-open from March 29th.  There may also be the possibility for some flying in public open spaces from March 8th; however, this will very much depend on the details contained within the regulations that sit behind the roadmap, which have yet to be released. We will be corresponding with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport...

"Den (Pip) Smith. I'm sorry to report that we lost one of our long standing members affectionally known as Pip to the dreaded virus on 12th January this year.Pip was born on 24th November 1931 so not a bad innings especially as he had previously fought and beaten Cancer over the years.He was an accomplished engineer and took great delight in helping us all with the more difficult modelling jobs like welding, producing stuff on his lathe etc.His friendly helpful smile will be sorely missed by us ...