Peter Android

Posted by ChrisB on 03/01/2017 20:36:05: The page below describes the law..and not just for drones. **LINK** Thank You Chris. , Yes, I have read this .

We can only hope that the CAA roots for UK Aeromodelling then . Money should never override safety , in a perfect world ............ BTW I have never subscribed to trial by media , and there must be a lot of classified information not for public display , for security purposes . rightly so. But it's nice to get some " allowable " info from those who are more closely involved once in a while , or at least in the same horse trough . Interesting comments on  applied Patents , could this simply to stop others copying their technology ? A Tactic widely employed by Automotive manufacturers . strange how each " new " generation of Car's end up looking loosely the same though.     Edited By Peter Android on 03/01/2017 22:49:16

Thank you for the Clarification BEB , I think . Since it has now been pointed out that the bmfa are not Agents of the Law . I wonder whom would best provide legal advice , should anyone become entangled or estranged within the ambiguity of " Compendium " 658 ? Could be a very dangerous game to play .

If CAP 658 is simply guidance ? Would someone kindly point out exactly what is the actual Law then ? I have lost count the number of times I have heard 658 quoted as " Law" The only total radio failure I ever personally experienced is when I got accidently shot down on the same 35 Mhz Channel . my fault , I had changed crystals when fettling the model at home , and forgotten ! 2.4 Has been a godsend in that respect. Countless deadsticks over countless years have resulted in either a glide , or a ditching , landings were / are a blessing Banter , Applause or Good natured abuse are part and parcel , and is what makes us Human . Point is , I had / have the option to do so. assuming of course at least some servo's are still operational . not software. Blind Faith in technology , worries me. a lot.

Well , I do not pretend to understand the workings of artificial intelligence or clever software . 51 Years of Aeromodelling has taught me something though . but I am not expert at anything in the modern sense of the word. In my own , very simplistic common - sense world , if a flying " device" or whatever it is tagged at any moment in time , which appears to be the major cause for concern. That relies on purely artificial means in the first place to enable it to fly , or remain in a stable condition , at some stage , will breach the ANO in ref to persons or property , simply because it cannot respond , remain stable or even fly . on human interaction - when things go wrong . The human failsafe is not available to preform a controlled - safe landing . Yes , it may have a clever failsafe holding / landing / circuits etc . but it still cannot avoid that which is illegal to trespass upon. in a dead stick type of situation unless I am being totally naïve ? Could it be that those who promote the development of such machines have a vested interest. There are many roles for commercial drones that I totally applaud, usually involving the prevention or saving of lives , Could these be removed from the 2 .4 Ghz spectrum ? or whatever they fly on , and be made available by special licence only on another frequency unique to themselves .this being accountable ? As a long time member / supporter of the BMFA ( in the Main) I have always felt to be registered / accountable . As a boy, I too recall nipping down to the post office for a " radio Licence " for my Mum. a ten - bob note used to cover it My own personal preferences do not come into this, never have . Neither am I about to fly down into the weeds by posting links to where this has actually happened on countless occasions . In order to avoid pouring flames on the fire , what I say , or write , is of course open to conjecture , but what I think , remains private. Common sense ought to prevail , I hope I am but one man , one vote ( if I was ever asked) and will not be browbeaten by others. Happy New Year to All . and lets hope we can all keep flying . Cheers

My observations apply to the current Drone situation , commercial or not . They do not comply with the ANO , and cannot do so.

Erfolg has pointed to the real issue of " safety" and rightly so. When undertaking a BMFA - A test for example , a looooooong time ago. 1st attempt . At one particular point , I was required to make a dead - stick landing , wether I liked it or nor not ! the ( glow) engine had gone from a low - tickover , to nothing , in the most inappropriate place you could wish for , given the limitations of the flying site . After achieving what I considered to be a proper recovery , ending with the model into wind and safely touching down. on the runway . cutting to the chase , Noooooooooooo , Sorry . would you like to take it again ? uttered said Examiner , whom I was conviced had relatives that resided in Walmington on Sea ? After a cup of tea , and friendly advice , A further , successful , A -Test ensued . In my Eyes , Captain Mainwaring had just promoted Himself to Captain Sensible and was my soul mate for life. He was , of course , absolutely correct . On my 1st attempt , my efforts to " save " my model aeroplane , which I did . I had completely overlooked the fact that I had overflown , on a dead - stick , both persons and property at low level , and in close proximity . His concern , quite rightly , was that I did neither of these things , complying with the A.N.O , and the model should have been ditched in a safe place. and should not have overflown aforementioned persons or property . Sooooooo , then , as Fixed wing ( dead stick ) and Heli Modellers ( autorotation) also comply with aforementioned A.N.O How ? can a " Drone or Multicopter etc , when it goes belly - up , , avoid persons or property , or indeed the Airliner / Full size that has just come into close proximity ? when it is relying purely on (software to enable flight , and has no Human intervention possible , at least in part . when things do and will go wrong . ? This is bad enough with line of sight , but adding a camera only compounds the issues , massively It / They may ? have return to base function , which can also go faulty , but it cannot respond like the best computer on earth , the mark 1 eyeball an d the HUMAN Brain . I fear that safety will , and is , been overlooked for sheer profit .

I certainly hope TJ continues , one of the nicest people you could ever wish to deal with . I recall that He started out supplying fellow Flyers and Clubmates with modelling items on a none profit basis , purely as a favour to His Buddies. And the business took off from there ( no pun intended) . Never likely to threaten the big boys , He ambles quietly along earning a very small piece of the modelling pie. offending nobody. with an open honesty that puts the likes of rip off max to shame. ( My Opinion) The hardest bullett to bite ,is often the loss of such character's , when their modelling business has been forced to close . The fact that you originate from " Southern Softie" upbringings have been overlooked , for now . A facelift may be in order though - the person not the website . Carry on TJ , if yer can . old luv.       Edited By Peter Android on 30/12/2016 21:50:21

**LINK** Some of you may enjoy this ? A Modelling buddy ( Sam) test - flying His late Father's Puppeteer ( Diesel) after a long period of storage, which is circa '20 years old . Sam then passes the Pup' over to His -Son for a flight or three . P.A.W 60 I believe . which throttles superbly ( for a diesel ) That is to say , Three generations of the same Family , have now Enjoyed the same Model Aeroplane. Wind conditions are far worse than appears ( I was there ) No substitute for experience. as they say. Respect .

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/576401/Better_Defence_Estate_Dec16_Amends_Web.pdf Again , Since this is a Model Flying Forum , Myself being one of them and an ex - brat , I would urge all modellers to read this . As I previously tried to point out, great swathes of both Urban & Countryside may be affected by " Rationalisation " which is the Governments spin on this. I fear that Model Sites / Clubs may be affected , are Modellers to be barred from entering / flying on M.O.D land in general ? what's left of them that is . after the housing developments get under way . Have the forthcoming changes at Cranwell / Barkston alone signified the end of the Nats ? I hope not . Many of you will have fond memories of Halton , thank you to those who contribute . My post is not any kind of political statement , which do not belong on here , simply a nod to all ex - brats and how these defence changes may yet affect Model Flying. Cheers.  Edited By Peter Android on 13/12/2016 11:39:10

http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafhalton/ In 1971 , up and down the " Hill" twice a day , 3 x Bands , one of my ex - brat buddies still Drums in the R.A.F Golden Oldies band , who are very well received where ever they venture. Cheers.

For those who are centred upon model flying - solus , And have little or no interest in the R.A.F or Government " Rationalisation " ? not a judgement , each to their own . however , there are some bitter pills to swallow here. The Devil is in the detail. Ref b. Stage 2 in the blue highlighted section . This transfer is to be completed by 2020 , which of course means massive infrastructure changes to both Cranwell and Barkston Heath. Coupled with the likely closure of the current technical training at Cosford , who may also re - locate to Cranwell. The Implications are onerous , as far as Model Flying Goes . https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/better-defence-estate-strategy You may do well to study the associated pdf file at some length. The Government website / pdf , though recent , is not up to date and things are moving forward at a pace , literally as we speak. Not being a Barrack Room lawyer , and being a spokesman purely for myself - as always , it would appear to me at the very least , from the published facts , that Military establishments are to be given over to Housing Development on an massively unprecedented scale . IMHO Far from contributing to the Military Budget , they are decimating it and those who live , exist and depend upon it ? The Fat Cats involved in this will be rubbing their collective whiskers in glee , most of the closure / re - development sites are prime - top dollar land , with associated mega - buck housing prices . My Heart goes out to the Military personel who will be severely affected by all of this, and the infrastructure that are co - dependant. This is likely to have a profound effect on Model Flying in the UK , and possibly many Model Clubs ?  As if things weren't bad enough with the palaver over EASA proposals. Has this got your attention ?   Edited By Peter Android on 12/12/2016 21:50:40 Edited By Peter Android on 12/12/2016 22:02:36

http://www.oldhaltonians.co.uk/ It is with great sadness that . on Dec 10th the decision to close / move R.A.F Halton has been issued. Ref: Group Captain Duncan Grant (Retd)   10th December 2016 - A MESSAGE FROM DUNCAN GRANT- YOUR CHAIRMAN As part of the Governments " Rationalisation" Plans This will bring closure the most significant period in the History of the R.F.C - R.A.F thanks to Lord Trenchard's Legacy . though hopefully not it's end . As other Brats will testify For over 70 years Halton was the R.A.F No1 school of Technical Training before it's uprooting to * R.A.F Cosford Without Halton , the Rothschilds & Lord Trenchard , The Creation of the R.A.F as we know it , or even at all , could not have taken place . May I urge any ex - brat or other interested parties / supporters to pay a visit the Apprentice Museum at Halton , if Humanly possible , whilst they still have the chance . I would like to thank my Good Friend Bob Rodham ( Ex - Brat ) and supporter / contributer / website creator of numerous apprentice causes , and  Halton 223 Entry Website,  for His continuing Support. This is in respect of the Thousands of Apprentices who passed through Halton's Gates and were / are the unsung Heroes of Numerous Conflicts. Regards to all P.     Edited By Peter Android on 12/12/2016 17:07:59 Edited By Peter Android on 12/12/2016 17:19:02

Not sure if this has been posted elsewhere , whatever: Due in no small part I am sure, to yet more supportive persons , Early Bird Tickets are now on sale for Cosford 2017 http://www.cosfordairshow.co.uk/tickets.php