James Kerr

I had no idea all these things existed, what are they meant for? more importantly, how much do they cost and who collects the money? JK.

Posted by WolstonFlyer on 05/01/2016 18:30:14: James - you will also need to join the SAA to be insured, that is £29 a year and gives you the same insurance as the BMFA. The £20 you have paid to the club will just be the club membership fee. Do not fly until you are properly insured, an accident could turn out to be very expensive. SAA membership details here **LINK** I do understand the £20 is the club membership fee and the Sec did tell me to arrange my own Insurance through the SAA. From what I can see, they accept you are an adult and will act like one, there are no "High Heid Yins" who must be worshipped and I'm just happy to have something to look forward to come Spring. James.

Well readers, I can start off with good news today, I think I have found my perfect place to fly. I contacted the smaller club by Email and the reply came back instantly, I went today to meet the Club Secretary at his home and paid the annual fee £20. He told me the rules of the club were - no over flying the village to the South, or the road to the North, no flying before 12-00 Noon and no Jets and that is it. I made it clear to him that I didn't hold a License to fly "what License" said he, I said I understood from reading other Club rules and Forums you needed to pass some tests first before being allowed to fly alone, "You mean Bronze, Silver & Gold" and I said yes. "If that were the case no one up there would be flying, none of the rest have any of that" I got him to repeat that, he said "Don't fly alone at the field, if you have an accident your insurance will be invalid, if there is someone there, just get on with it yourself, need help just ask, want to do your own thing then just get on with enjoying yourself, crash it, then pick up your sticks and go home." There are around 8 - 12 members right now which he expects to climb to 18 - 20 when the weather improves. The Club is supported by the Local Council who keep the grass strip cut short and tidy so no heavy work to be done by the same old members. JK.

Posted by Simon Chaddock on 04/01/2016 22:31:49: James If you set up a 'profile' on this site I could send you a PM (private message) explaining how I have managed to achieve more or less what you are seeking. Simon. I'm not sure how to make a profile but the Moderator says you can send me a PM without that. I would be grateful to learn anything that would get me up in the air. James.

Rob43, You are about right, I'm going to contact the smaller club and hope there is a space, the Local Council supports them and cuts the field. James.

Posted by Justin K. on 04/01/2016 13:30:02: Not sure on where you live but maybe slope soaring would fit your "free spirit" attitude better than a powerd flight club? Edited By Justin K. on 04/01/2016 13:31:56 I may have to resort to this Justin, my house is built on the south facing slope of an extinct Volcano which stands just 200 yards behind my place. And in answer to ChrisB I live in Central Scotland. I should further explain I am not a complete beginner, I have been scratch building since a school boy and I'm 75 on my next birthday, as for the Futaba thing, I have a Hitec Prism7, which as you may know is a 7 channel, complete with buddy box which I bought with it a long time ago. This may make you laugh and indicate why I'm wary of Clubs at the same time. Ten years ago I decided to join a Club, I told the Big Chief just what I have said and added I have my own model, the Big Chief said "you can't fly that until I have a look at it" (scratch build photo added I hope) So I turned up, the Big Chief took over my box and started my machine, took of and zoomed around a bit, "Very good flier," said he. Then called over the Instructor, "Right start him off Willie" I was given the Buddy Box, Willie took off, tested the controls and flew the thing straight into the ground. JK.

Thank you all for so many replies, first just to answer a few points, yes John Stones & others, I do drive a car and understand that comes with rules & Laws, I do understand that flying also comes with Laws and do understand if enough Multi Rotors intercept Aircraft, run through windows or crash into public places your hobby could be at an end soon. And no, I'm not a Newspaper fishing for a story Its the little extra bits that put me off, there are 3 clubs near me, the first is by invitation only, the second says on their welcome page " We use Futaba equipment here" don't buy anything till you talk with us. The third I feel I might visit, there don't appear to be any put off's on their page, though I might find the membership is full, its restricted to 30. and only 4 in the sky at any one time. We shall see what Spring brings. JK.

Hi everyone, a real newbie here. What I need to ask is, where in this great hobby can a square peg fit in, I'm asking because I feel I might not be the only one who just can't follow exact rules, take orders, only fly on designated days, only fly when a superior is present, only fly if my model meets their approval, I could go on but I'm sure Club members will have come up against much more. I see many Tube Videos where the flyer is on his own in a field, is that the only alternative? will I have to crash my way to perfection on my own? are there others of the same mind who meet up in small numbers? JK.