The BMFA is the National Governing Body for the sport of model flying. Its aims are to promote, protect, organise and encourage model flying within the UK. (see the Articles of Association)Typically there are around 750 affiliated clubs and a combined membership of over 30,000 members, all of whom have entered a partnership to ensure that model aircraft and drone flyers have a voice and their rights are recognised by the authorities.

The mandate for the BMFA to do this comes from the Royal Aero Club, dating back to 1922, the Civil Aviation Authority and the UK Sports councils.

The BMFA also represents the UK in the international forum through its recognition by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) and its model flying sub committee, Commission Internationale d'Aeromodelisme (CIAM).

WHO RUNS THE BMFA?

The membership elects officers to represent them at all levels of the organisation. All members of affiliated clubs have a vote and their club representative is entitled to vote at the AGM and their Area elections. Club representatives also have the right to represent their club at Area meetings. Should a club wish to raise any issues with Council, this is proposed through their Area Committee, which is represented on Council by the Area delegate.

Therefore, the BMFA is a true democratic organisation whereby every member has the opportunity to influence BMFA policy. Once elected, the responsibility for running the BMFA rests with the Council of Management which is in effect the Board of Directors of the SMAE Ltd, the BMFA's parent company. The Council of Management consists of 32 elected members and is responsible to the membership. It is governed by the Articles of the Association.

Council is supported by other specialist councils and committees:-

  • Areas Council: which consists of: elected representatives from each of the 14 areas, the Honorary Secretary and Public Relations Officer, and is responsible for all club and area issues, and the achievement schemes.
  • Technical Council: which consists of: elected representatives from the technical committees, the Technical Secretary, the Competition Secretary and FAI Delegate, and is responsible for all competition and safety issues.
  • The six technical committees: which consist of elected representatives and are responsible for the detailed administration and organisation of the various model flying disciplines.
  • Executive Council: which consists of nine elected officers of the Association and is responsible for managing the Association's business matters.

All of the above are responsible to the Council of Management and meet 2 or 3 times per year with the exception of the Executive Council that may meet more often as business demands. Elected officers and representatives serve for a term of 2 years although may stand for re-election should they wish to do so.

OBJECTIVES OF THE BMFA
  • The promotion, protection, organisation and encouragement of model aircraft building, flying and development in all its aspects in The United Kingdom, through the medium of clubs and individual members; assistance and guidance to model aircraft clubs or individuals; collaboration between members of the Society; and co-operation on behalf of members of the Society with the Civil Aviation Authority or other government departments and any other bodies and organisations in the United Kingdom and overseas.
  • To produce, collect and distribute information in connection with model aircraft or the model aircraft movement on such terms as Council shall think fit.
  • To encourage and support research in model aircraft design theory and construction.
  • To control and record model aircraft performance within the areas under the jurisdiction of the Royal Aero Club.
  • To act as promoters of National and International model aircraft meetings, contests and exhibitions; as publishers stationers and booksellers, general traders, dealers agents and manufacturers, both wholesale and retail' of any articles of any description which may assist the development of model aviation;
  • To establish and support, financially or otherwise or aid in the establishment and support of any educational scheme or establishment with benefit to the model aircraft movement;
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 weight of numbers of model aircraft fliers we represent has enabled us to be heard at the highest levels. Therefore, we require continuing support as without you the BMFA would not exist: your membership and club affiliation is important so that we can continue to represent the interests of all modellers in the UK.

Major achievements have been: Sports Council recognition, the negotiation of the CAA limitations under which model aircraft are flown to ensure we retain the right to fly in common airspace without draconian restrictions, the introduction and retention of the 35 Mhz band, the retention of flying sites for free flight, indoor and R/C, and the implementation of the National Trust agreement.

We are a respected organisation and can move forward into the future with confidence to promote and protect the sport of model flying in the UK.

OUR MOTTO IS: "UNITED WE ACHIEVE"

United we have achieved and will continue to do so.