Free Flight loses Middle Wallop

[john stones 1 - Moderator]

**LINK**

[John F]

It was only a matter of time really. It's been on the cards for over a year.

[ken anderson.]

strange and short notice for the April meeting............. wonder what the reason is behind it....? ...my guess the times we are living in at the moment/security ...

ken anderson....ne...1........ wonder what the reason dept.

[John F]

Putting the lateness in cancellation aside the main reasons are specified here: https://bmfa.org/News/News-Page/ArticleID/2352/Future-of-Free-Flight-Conference-report

In short the models don't have any control and therefore, due to changes last year, cannot allow free flight on MOD land as the model could land almost anywhere, including out of the boundaries of the field.

 

Edited By John F on 19/04/2016 19:12:12

[Monz]

Could be this sudden cancellation is due to POTUS visiting from 21 to 24 April, so all MOD sites will be on high alert, of course that then will be used to conveniently cancel all other FF events.

[John F]

No Monz, the link I posted above explains.

Free flight on MOD land is no longer allowed. Some civilian land is also affected but they are not listed.

Barak Obama visiting will have little effect on 95% of the units.

Edited By John F on 19/04/2016 20:34:43

[Geoff S]

So in the event of our ever being able to use Barkston Heath for the Nationals (which I think is no better than a 50:50 chance) the notorious but extremely entertaining chuck and duck free flight evening sessions will also be banned by the MoD. It seems that our hobby and pastime is being attacked from all directions.

Geoff

[John F]

Quoted direct from the link above:

"The performance of our current models is too high for them to be
contained within our current sites, especially when flown to our current
rules.

Site owners, especially the military, have become more risk averse and
wish to see that we have proper control over what we are doing. Control
of models and staying within site boundaries is expected.

We do not always comply with the ANO and this is becoming difficult to
explain. We must show due care to keep within the law."

Hardly being attacked from all directions but rather a victim of the aero-modellers increasing success, I would say.

[Kevin Wilson]

I wonder if a simple radio operated dethermaliser would go someway to alaying fears. The craft would then be under control, albeit a rudimentary failsafe.

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[Keith Lomax]

Posted by Geoff Sleath on 19/04/2016 21:41:50:

So in the event of our ever being able to use Barkston Heath for the Nationals (which I think is no better than a 50:50 chance) the notorious but extremely entertaining chuck and duck free flight evening sessions will also be banned by the MoD. It seems that our hobby and pastime is being attacked from all directions.

Geoff

This year's Free Flight Nats are still on (as far as I know) for the late May Bank Holiday Weekend, at Barkston.