RCM&E 50th anniversary fly-in

[001]

Sorry, can't make it, I will be in Scotland.

[Danny Fenton]

LOL Peter nice try...........

 

Timbo The club has its own infernal combustion trainer, courtesy of the BMFA that may be available. I am not involved in organising the event but i am sure Chris B would be able to confirm if this could be available.

 

I personally like the idea of a 15 minute slot per hour to give newcomers a buddy flight to see if they like it. But that's just me I have no idea what is planned.

 

Cheers

Danny

[nasa_steve]

I don't suppose there's a chance of one down south somewhere David much as I'd love to go I'm at Weston park the weekend before and I don't think I'll be able to get another pass steve

[David Ashby - Moderator]

Peter - you've plenty of time to get that 'A' before the event. Look up a local club examiner, get some practise in and then arrange the test. Why not go along to the 'A' and 'B' test day at Old Warden on 7th May?

[David Ashby - Moderator]

Posted by nasa_steve on 14/02/2010 19:13:20:
I don't suppose there's a chance of one down south somewhere David much as I'd love to go I'm at Weston park the weekend before and I don't think I'll be able to get another pass steve

 No Steve, Greenacres is nice and central and a great site too.

[David Whitehouse]

Hi Guys

Just to let you know that most if not all of our Instructors will be Involved in setting up and helping to run the event, and hopefully sneaking a quick flight.

so I don't think there will be any training available on the fun fly days. (will check and update if I am wrong)

 

But like Dave said further up, there is loads of time to get your  ‘A’ certs.

Edited By David Whitehouse on 14/02/2010 19:59:20

Edited By David Whitehouse on 14/02/2010 20:05:23

[Kelly]

Good Stuff  look forward to it

 

No flying for me, no plans to get an A cert ,ever   .

 

BMFA seem happy to take my money ,so why do I need one for what is a fun fly day .

 

Shame to rule  people out  for the lack of an A cert. .

 

Kelvin 

 

 AKA Waldo Pepper .

[David Whitehouse]

Hi Guys,

 

Just to let you all know that most, if not all of our instructors will be involved in setting up and helping to run the event... and hopefully sneaking a quick flight themselves

 

So I don't think there will be any training available on the fun fly days, (will double check and update if I am wrong ).

 

Like Dave say's further up, there's plenty of time to get your A' Certs.

[Peter 'Ivanna Crashalot' Savage]

Twenty? Come on everyone has a price!

[Martin Harris - Moderator]

Peter - contact the London Area (and National) Achievement Scheme Co-ordinator: Peter Spurway Tel; 01727-851223 and I'm sure he'll find a way to get you tested.  Why not do your B while you're at it and in 6 months time get your club to nominate you as an examiner candidate? Then you can help sort out problems like this for your clubmates!

 

As for the bribe required, flying safely, tidily and reading the BMFA handbook will probably suffice...

[Tim Hooper]

Excellent news about the fly-in!

 

I've flown there several times at their annual E-fly-in, and can confirm that the Greenacres lads (and ladesses) put on a tremendous event.

 

Not to be missed. 

 

FWIW It seems a little presumptuous to expect the fly-in hosts to spoon-feed an A test to visitors.  If you ain't got one, then why not just spectate?

 

tim

 

[Peter 'Ivanna Crashalot' Savage]

ah 01727, thats local won't get anymore local than that, might send him an email then, be a lot easier when i learn to drive

[nasa_steve]

 

hi all

   FWIW Tim is right here guys the A is easy to get and is required by the host club before you can fly an a fly-in held at their field .as it stands the site is open to the public and the local coulcil require the A certificate as a minimum to fly solo there.

     Peter Spurway as already put forward will put you in contact with an examiner local to you we cannot get any fairer than that all you need do is fly safely and answer a few questions and an A certificate you'll have. use the link below and that will take you to the site that tells you what you'll need to do to get an A certificate.

 

http://www.bmfa.org/achievement/index.html

 

as it stands i'm not aware of any club's that hold fly-ins that will let you fly solo at their site without an A certificate as a minimum. its not a case of being pedantic its a recognised national standard that show's you are competant with a model aircraft.......much the same as driving a car legally on the road really.

nasa

[Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator]

It is even more fundemental than that. Our club flies in a large country park owned by the council just like the Greenacres set up. The council feel the need to "cover their backs" liability wise, but want to allow the model flying to go ahead. By insisting on a local rule that says people can only fly unaccompanied if they hold an A cert the council are content that they have covered themselves in the event of an accident. They have set a reasonable, nationally recoginised, standard of competance as the condition. A standard that is set by the recognised governing body of the sport - ie the BMFA. So that would be their defence in the result of any action.

 

Put simply, without this stipulation those of us that fly on council owned land simply wouldn't have our flying fields!

 

Peter, I think the advice to contact the local area examiner is good - go for it. I'm sure you'll find the 'A' a piece of cake. Just bone up on the safety sections in the BMFA handbook and familarise yourself with the test schedule (which is pretty basic) and it will be clear sailing for someone with your experience!

[Peter 'Ivanna Crashalot' Savage]

Heck i can do a figure 8 at a regular height!

[Martin Harris - Moderator]

Believe it or not it isn't meant to be difficult and examiners will look for reasons to pass you - not fail you. It's only a straight forward test that you have reasonable control of your model and know the basics of safe operation.

[IanN]

Posted by Tim Hooper on 14/02/2010 21:23:49:

 

 

FWIW It seems a little presumptuous to expect the fly-in hosts to spoon-feed an A test to visitors.  If you ain't got one, then why not just spectate?

 

tim

 

 

Exactly. Simple choice - either book a test and get on and do it, or don't bother (& stop complaining). The A test is a perfectly reasonable requirement.

 

I'm one of the very many club fliers who haven't taken the A or B. Went solo, carried on ok, no desires to fly away from my club field so never had the need.

 

Now I'm quite keen on this RCM&E event, and its given me the spur I needed. So, I'm going to practise the routine and book my A. If I don't make it then I've no business putting anyone else in the field on that day at risk

Edited By IanN on 14/02/2010 23:47:12

[harold smith]

HI all

 

Great news about the funfly at greenacres It's a fab site and have flown there many times  at there funflys

 

just a little clarification if poss is this a electric event or power? as there website has it as a ic power event  

 

 

Thanks

Harold 

[Flanker .]

Sounds great. Any subsidies for ex pats ? A question David or someone in the know.

 

I have an A Cert. But where is it?  Do the BMFA keep records? I am not a BMFA member now. How would I prove it these days?

 

'Nway If I can make it I will

 

F

[David Ashby - Moderator]

Harold - both electric and i.c. 

 

Guys - I think the 'A' cert debate at fly-ins has been conducted elsewhere here so it's not required here, appreciating concerns of course. The 'A' is a pretty easy test to take so, as Ian says, let it be the spur you need to come along. Flying at a new site is good experience and will broaden your horizons in ways you can't imagine - you'll be a better flyer for it    

Edited By David Ashby - RCME Administrator on 15/02/2010 09:07:32

[David Ashby - Moderator]

Flanker - expats pay double  

Don't know re the A cert issue, you might want to check with the BMFA?

[Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator]

Flanker,

 

as long as you can remember/find your old membership number BMFA should be able to find the record. It should still be possible even with just your name and the club name - but more difficult!

 

BEB

 

PS I think they are likely to be more sympathethic about looking for your records if you explain that you live outside the UK now and that's why you are no longer a member!

[Chris Bott - Moderator]

Flanker don't forget we have to be insured too, so that will mean joining the BMFA again I'm afraid.  If you do that, your rating should be shown on your documents shouldn't it?

 

Chris 

[Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator]

Chris,

 

yes Flanker will need insurance, but there are other acceptable insurances -  he could well have it via the national organisation where he is based? The usual public liability thing is cover up to at least £5m - BMFA actually goes to £10m if I remember correctly.

 

BEB

[Chris Bott - Moderator]

Just so everyone knows what to expect:-

We always try to have as much fun ans possible at our fun fly.

 

However, we also have to consider visiting public,  visiting fliers and spectators, club members and also our continued use of the facility. So we run with a structure and a few rules which form the procedures that everyone that flies must stick to. Within these rules there is there is plenty of room to enjoy ourselves and they really are easy to stick to.

 

We have transmitter control, where ALL transmitters are kept except when flying.

We have a flight line and a flying boundary, no model must cross these lines while flying. 

We have a pilots box and flight line marshals who keep things moving. These guys are experienced at this and want us all to fly what we want how we want. But they will point out when things are not being done correctly. This is for every ones safety, and to help us stay within the rules, therefore what they say must be adhered to.

We have a huge pits area roped off from the public. Engines are not started here.

We have starting boxes - for er... starting engines. Models are carried from these to the flight line and not Taxied.

Clearance must be sought for takeoff. Low passes and landing must be called.

No one walks out on to the strip without a marshals clearance. 

Transmitters are taken back to the Tx tent straight after a flight. 

None of this is at all onerous on us pilots, and things usually run pretty smoothly.

If we have more pilots than an informal system can cope with, we move to pre booked slots. In this case pilots will have to book each 15 minute slot in advance, get the model prepared and started in the first 5 minutes of the slot and fly for the remaining 10 minutes. We can arrange "themed" slots for say warbirds or biplanes or whatever if necessary.

 

Please don't think this is over prescriptive, it actually works very well.

 

Looking forward to meeting many new friends..

Chris