The BMFA online portal for new and renewing country membership for 2018 is now active. https://www.bmfa.org/Join-Renew/Join-the-BMFA 2017 has been a great year for the BMFA and model aircraft flying, lets make 2018 even better. NUMBERS DO COUNT! The BMFA's strengths are its proven expertise and its membership. Without the backing of its clubs and members we could not have accomplished the many things that have given us national and international credibility and recognition. The sheer weigh...

Sadly we have to report that Dick Edmonds, known to many in the aero modeling world , passed away on 14th October 2017, aged 87. Dick was born and grew up in High Wycombe. As a young lad Dick was always keen on aircraft spotting, especially during the war years, when the town’s furniture industry was diverted into making aircraft parts – particularly for the largely wooden Mosquito After the war he started his hobby of aero modeling with Free Flight, then went on to Control Line and eventuall...

The DfT (Department for Transport) have today announced their intent to create new legislation to regulate drones.  A draft Bill outlining the new laws is in preparation and will be presented to Parliament in the Spring.   The new laws are consistent with the regulations being drafted by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and will introduce new requirements for education, training and registration of drone users (and their drones above 250g) along with new powers for the Police who wil...

Good news from the Annual General Meeting today. There was confirmation of both the Free Flight National Championships at RAF Barkston Heath over the Spring Bank Holiday Weekend of 26th - 28th May and the RC, Scale & control Line Nationals also at RAF Barkston Heath over the August Bank Holiday weekend of 25th - 27th August. The Silent Flight Nationals will also take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend of 25th - 27th August at BMFA Buckminster. Also at today's Society Annual Genera...

North east flyer and Contest Secretary, Brian Martin, has died. Brian flew power models in all forms from the 50s to the late 70s, before switching to rubber, going on to feature in the British F1B team on several occasions. Brian didn't miss a single free flight contest season in over 50 years, before stepping down from competition in 2012. A small family funeral was held this week. Brian sadly suffered with Alzheimer's and Dementia in his final years. If you'd like to donate towards Alzheimer...

Please note the Free Flight gala that was to be held on Sunday 12th November has been postponed until Sunday 17th December.   This is due to a very poor weather forecast.

A member was burgled last week whilst he was away and the models plus engines listed below were taken. Please email Andrew Lothian on andrewl.wrcfs@sky.com if you have any information that may lead to the return of the models or apprehension of the culprits.   Vq Zero, Vq Me109, Ryan, Asm Cessna, WM Super Cub and Blackhorse Renegade, Saito 150 & 2 x 62s, CRRC 55 Twin, CRRC GP26r & Irvine 52.

The agenda for the forthcoming Technical Council meeting to be held at Chacksfield House on Saturday 14th October at the BMFA Offices at Chacksfield House, 31 St Andrews Road, Leicester at 11am can be downloaded from the link below.   https://www.bmfa.org/The-BMFA/Minutes-Archive?Command=Core_Download&EntryId=2266

The new BMFA members handbook has been released and is available to view online and download from http://handbook.bmfa.org/   Hardcopies will be included with the next BMFA News.  

Norman Butcher FSMAE; 15.10.1928 – 13.08.2017   It is with great regret that I inform you of the passing of Norman Butcher FSMAE at the age of 89. A prolific and successful aeromodeller, Norman always had two ambitions, the first being to earn a living from the model trade and the second to achieve success in competition. He succeeded magnificently in both. Coming through the then traditional routes of glider and rubber power in the 1940s, he moved on to i.c. power, creating many of his own...