GONZO

John, as always I'm not telling anyone what to think just reporting on a conversation and what I think.

I'll convey your opinion of my friends decision and of him to him. Alan, I can't say I fully agree with your first statement especially with respect to freedom of speech and its erosion in the UK by various laws. There are other issues but not for here.

My, the forum is populated with 'saints' who've never ever broken any laws! Who'd of thought. I never mentioned anyone by name, but if the cap fits. I also was at pains to point out its not the money or test. We both could, if we so desired, easily pay £100/y or more if we felt it justified. So, I'll say it again, it's the principle. A concept that some seem to have difficulty grasping. It was an unprompted disclosure from my friend that came out of the blue. As I've previously posted I am going to try CL for the first time and keep my powder dry until I see what 1st July brings.

Many people in the past have given up much more than a hobby because laws cause a conflict of principle, imprisonment, hard labour camps and even their lives. All given up because of a conflict of principle. That's what this is, feeling that strong that the whole DRES nonsense is so wrong that you will not condone it by participating in it. If that means no more aeromodelling the so be it. The phycological distress suffered if one does not act on ones principle can be severe and is called 'cognitive dissonance', first documented in the 50's. I would respectfully suggest that their desire not to go to jail over say 'freedom of speech' or to continue to live over more serious principles far exceeded your personal desire to continue a hobby. Also, if people of principle had not been prepared to give up much more than the personal gratification of continuing with a hobby this society and your life would undoubtedly be very different. You can take from my post what you like as to whether I was making a point or just commenting on a conversation. If you don't like the colloquial term 'sheeple' substitute 'order followers'. Edited By GONZO on 20/11/2019 20:06:48

Well, I had a long chat with my friend this afternoon. Amongst many topics the nonsense that is DRES and the 'criminalisation' of flying toy planes when not compliant with the registration etc. He said it was the final straw and was giving up entirely, that's everything including mag subs etc. So that those who barrack those giving up please understand it's not the £9, it's not the stupid test, it's the principle. He's the chap who lives at the end of a single track lane up in the hills of North Wales with his own 1,000ft field at the bottom of his bungalows garden. So, to all those 'sheeple' who are falling over themselves to join this pathetic charade, ITS THE PRINCIPLE that's the crux of the matter.

Posted by Andy Symons - BMFA on 18/11/2019 23:04:07: Posted by GONZO on 18/11/2019 22:05:42: Have we had any clarification as to the airspace and site requirements for model aircraft for the first half of 2020? Does the A3 site requirement apply and what about public open spaces especially with footpaths? Nothing has changed, carry on as you were. Andy, Do you mean carry on using the less onerous and restrictive BMFA site and distance guide lines or use the CAP 1789 distance requirements as shown in the table on page 32? (model aircraft fall into site/airspace requirements category A3) If its carry on using the BMFA distance guidelines when does CAP 1789 site/airspace requirements, specifically A3 which pertain to model aircraft, come into force?

Have we had any clarification as to the airspace and site requirements for model aircraft for the first half of 2020? Does the A3 site requirement apply and what about public open spaces especially with footpaths?

Well I've firmed up on my approach. Never did CL in my modelling past so am taking this opportunity to give it a go in 2020 as it side steps the registration as an operator requirement. Probably get the flyer number by way of my BMFA achievement rating(not that I'll need it for CL). A few sub 250gm planes to complement the 50" stunter will complete the 2020 inventory whilst I wait for the dust to settle and see the way things are heading.

We could even have the club safety officer in a different uniform overseeing activities from his 'little tank'!

Excellent! I think a group of model flyers in the middle of a farmers field, so dressed, would cut a dash and command some degree of authority

I'm digging out my combination lock brief case which I used when PPL flying. It contains all my charts books etc and the mechanical 'computer' used for navigation. But, I think this does not go far enough. I think we should give our activity the gravitas it obviously deserves from the regulations. So, to that end I propose we all agree on a form of aircraft captains uniform with lots of gold braid and a peaked cap. This attire to be worn on all occasions we go flying. What do you say?

SLECUK This works.

Brian, I don't understand that reply. I was talking about the basis of law not consumer law or attitude. My understanding is that UK law was always based on the presumption of 'free men' and as such unless an action was prescribed against by a law then you were legally entitled to engage in that action. On the continent I understood the presumption came from the other point of view and an action could only be lawful if the action was prescribed in law. I'm no 'legal eagle' and may be describing this wrongly but I'm sure I've got the idea correct.

I've been a member of the BMFA and the SMAE before since the mid 70's. I got my 'A' in early 1980. But, if there is no opt out for paying the registration fee I shall leave the BMFA. This will probably mean I'll leave the club as its affiliated. which means I'll leave the hobby as a flying participant and just make and fit out planes that I have and run up my engines at home. Edited By GONZO on 22/10/2019 09:48:12

Ron, never used to be in this country. But was the way on the continent.

IMO this is the classic "suck them in then slap on the extras" preceded by the other classic "outrageous demands followed by conceding, in the face of outrage, to near what you actually want". The fee; bound to go up as its only yearly and is well below that which is required to cover costs of scheme. The test; a pointless 'cant fail' for now or the BMFA 'A' until 30th June 2020(?), then what - a precedent has been set of an exam pass before flying and its easy to make more difficult and charge. There is another exam previously detailed due to come in on this date that has a fee and is to be taken at test centers. Its easy to tighten the noose and strangle model flying to death in the future. I don't want to get political but have you noticed how our basis of law has changed over the decades since we've been in the EU. It used to be, in this country, that unless the law stated you could not do some thing then you were free to act. Now we seem to have gone to the continental way of unless there is a law saying you can do something you cant act.

A bit of searching reveals that there is no memory battery in my Futaba Tx.

The yearly registration allows for a rapid increase if they choose(I'm just very suspicious and don't trust officialdom).

At £9 / year it's still 5X the cost in the states, not forgetting it's free in France

Better hope we don't let those behind this back in the country **LINK**

I confess this is an area I am totally ignorant in. How long do these internal batteries last? I've got a Futaba FF8 that's over 25 years old and no problems yet. A FF9 that's' just under 20 years old and two FF9 super that are almost as old, all with no problems. They've always had a main battery installed and kept charged. You say the internal batteries are 'lithium' (rechargeable type?), do they get charged by the main battery(possibly when the Tx is switched on) and the reason people have had to replace them is because the Tx has been left for some time without the main battery installed/Tx switched on?

Well, just for a change of war type I've decided to watch 'Independence day' and the sequel this afternoon. Pure fantasy entertainment when you just suspend ALL knowledge on physics/science /etc and enjoy with a generous supply of nibbles and drinks

What war was not specified, so; 1/ The Last Samurai 2/ Band of Brothers 3/ Pacific 4/ Zulu 5/ The tv series on the American Civil War (the one with the Ashokan Farewell theme) and as a nod to the modern atomic age one of the nuclear war disaster films; Threads, The Day After etc for when I just want to see large mushroom clouds and massive destruction.   Edited By GONZO on 20/10/2019 07:40:42

So why start all this and do the check in the first place. Just do as the BMFA suggest and make it a PERSONAL responsibility, KISS.

Alan, yes of course but there are rubber FF flyers whose models weigh less than 250gm. ps the power not the modellers are rubber Edited By GONZO on 17/10/2019 15:00:20