BMFA NEWS

[Martin McIntosh]

If I see another photo of a free flight model on here in the next couple of months I shall bin my copy without even reading it. Enough is enough of the editor`s stuff. And another thing, boring pictures of people being given trophies for almost unheard of disciplines is just about the last straw.

Get up to date SMAE/BMFA.

Rant over.

[MattyB]

True, but it's self fulfilling to an extent - they need to full copy, those are the contributions they get, they publish, the majority who have no interest in those disciplines complain and/or bin their copy and don't contribute ("Why bother, all they want is free flight stuff and awards reports" ) and the cycle repeats.

Edited By MattyB on 16/03/2017 20:10:29

[Former Member]

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[kevin b]

I have no axe to grind regarding the BMFA News magazine, but as far as I can gather it is up to date. I don't see any "old" news and all the information appears to be current. It is after al a journal and not comic. It's purpose is to inform the membership factually and not particularly to entertain. Also don't forget that it is not charged for in your annual fees and is sponsored by the (few) advertisers who support it. I should think that any articles included, which are not penned by permanent BMFA staff are either not paid for, or paid for at a very low rate.

It is in fact very similar to the large number oft trade magazines produced by associations all over the country. Probably, because that's what it is ! The BMFA magazine is not produced to promote itself, or to make profit.

I do read in it regularly that the editor is constantly requesting material that may be of interest to readers.

That's the great thing about the internet. WE can complain to our hearts content about anything and everything to everybody without feeling guilty about not doing anything practical about it ourselves. For example, writing a constructive letter to the editor, to which he can then respond (in the magazine) and maybe start some debate on how the membership would like the magazine to be presented.

This is not a rant. It is a statement of fact .Nor is it a local phenomenon.

Edited By kevin b on 16/03/2017 21:34:26

[Cliff 1959]

I must admit seeing pictures of trophies being presented is scraping the barrel in my opinion but if you want to read something of real interest to your discipline then send something in and start the ball rolling.

[kevin b]

Yes Cliff, but it was the annual "pat myself on the back" issue.

Mind you I bet every reader noticed the photo with the very attractive young lady wearing a short dress !

[cymaz]

And the bmfa sanctioned the advert on the rear cover? It flies in the face of ( every pun intended) everything the bmfa are trying to, to be seen to be safe

[john stones 1 - Moderator]

Not read it yet just scanned through it, folk that make an effort get stuff published, seems fair enough to me, looks to be more from likes of Manny, Andy also Duncan's an article, news about BMFA fly ins as well, clubmate's got a Crimewatch picture in as well...very good Bob thumbs up from me, just don't mention Country members

John

[bigbubba]

Forgive my ignorance Percy but who is the other organisation? Is it the LMA? TIA

Posted by Percy Verance on 16/03/2017 20:53:01:

I felt pretty much the same way Martin, but there is a way to put an end to it........

As I saw it Martin, there were two options. Well one really.

1. Leave the BMFA to remain resolutely stuck in their time-warp.

2. Move to an organisation whom seem infinately more *tuned in* to their members. The current membership of this organisation stands at at an all time high as I understand it...... and one of their leading lights is quite active on this very forum.

Edited By Percy Verance on 16/03/2017 21:00:45

[Colin Leighfield]

Personally I think the free-flight stuff is interesting, there isn't much opportunity to see it anywhere else. It is aeromodelling after all. I know that we are all different, but it is about the BMFA and I get all of the rc info I need from RCME and RCMW. Control line and multi rotor don't excite me, but I would hate to see them ignored.

[fly boy3]

I am with Martin and Percy on this one. Perhaps a tick box as to who requires the magazine, and if the answer is no, perhaps a reduction of £5 in subs instead. Just a thought . Cheers

[Colin Leighfield]

You have to remember though that one of the criteria used by government in deciding whether an organisation qualifies for recognition as a credible representative of a particular pastime to be defined as a sport is the production of a magazine. It has to show the range of the activities that it's members pursue. It does do that. However you go about it, you will never please everybody.

[Former Member]

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[Martin Harris - Moderator]

Did I get a different issue? I thought there was some excellent stuff in the magazine which hit my doormat earlier. Free flight bias - really? A quick precis:

Chacksfield Chat - relevant and informative.

IMAC RC aerobatic flying advice.

GBAA RC Aerobatics news.

Two club info. articles.

How the BMFA works.

Nostalgia including control line, FF and RC.

Ah - some free flight - two articles.

Scale reports and modelling tips.

(RC) Achievement Scheme.

EP propeller and other safety issue article.

Indoor Masters report (RC).

F5B RC glider competition article.

Indoor RC comps. preview.

Club profiles.

Ads.

[Former Member]

[This posting has been removed]

[Devcon1]

Not a sense of humour failure but I do object to references to "young ladies in short dresses", why can't she be seen as just a fellow young modeller engaging in the hobby without being objectified.

The BMFA mag has, I think, improved greatly and to me is a welcome window into all that goes on in modelling, it also felt better this month. ( My only gripe is the multi page gong edition, maybe tone that down to one or two pics and just publish the list of awards)

John

Edited By Devcon1 on 17/03/2017 05:30:31

[cymaz]

Posted by Tom Sharp 2 on 17/03/2017 01:58:23:

Posted by kevin b on 16/03/2017 21:58:08:

Yes Cliff, but it was the annual "pat myself on the back" issue.

Mind you I bet every reader noticed the photo with the very attractive young lady wearing a short dress !

 

Looked all night but can't find the young lady in the short dress.

Ummmm, neither can I .....plenty of contenders for the old fellas knobbly knees award 

Edited By cymaz on 17/03/2017 05:50:11

[Andy G.]

Posted by Martin McIntosh on 16/03/2017 19:36:45:

If I see another photo of a free flight model on here in the next couple of months I shall bin my copy without even reading it. Enough is enough of the editor`s stuff. And another thing, boring pictures of people being given trophies for almost unheard of disciplines is just about the last straw.

Get up to date SMAE/BMFA.

Rant over.

Martin....... Perhaps you should collect your toys from the floor and put them back in your pram and sit for a while to consider what the initials BMFA actually stands for! In case you are unaware it is the British MODEL Flying Association. If the BMFA only catered for Radio fliers then it would be the BRMFA! Many members fly free flight, and even control line, me included in that. So before you embark on major whingefests just remember that freeflighters and control line fliers pay subs too which keeps membership up and fees down. Maybe, rather than dismissing other disciplines out of hand you should read it and see what is involved. Believe me, successful competition ff is far harder than radio flying.

[Tony Bennett]

i fly both rc and FF and i can tell you that getting a FF model flying is near nigh impossible straight away.

with rc you can trim as you fly, not so with FF.

I like the bmfa mag exactly as it is, it is informative and interesting.

what would you rather have, a mag full of artf reviews?

Tony B

[Andy Green]

I like to read the BMFA News, probably because I have tried Free Flight / Control Line in my youth.

Its designed to inform more than entertain I think and Manny always has an interesting column on what going on, with insurance reminders and the work they are doing behind the scenes.

Personally I'd be happy paying an additional £5, to support the NFC.

Andy

[XK50]

Suggest we don't write off free flight, just yet.

If any 250g regulatory "cut-off" comes here, I can see a renewed interest in these lightweight designs, probably assisted by micro radio, just to side-step all the bureaucracy.

I've even got a 1950's control-line handle, here, somewhere.

XK50

[Chris Jones 7]

I fly FPV and Multirotor mainly and while I would like to see more articles on these disciplines I would not like it to be at the expense of free flight and control line etc.
I do feel that there are too many photos of people recieving trophies especially in the issue with the formal dinner awards whatever they are. A simple list of who won what and maybe one or two pictures would be more than enough and thus free up space for other articles. If anything, I do sometimes feel the articles are a little long winded and could do with being edited a little more robustly but on the whole I quite enjoy the magazine.

Edited By Chris Jones 7 on 17/03/2017 08:57:29

[Peter Christy]

As someone who edited a specialist body newsletter for a number of years, I can assure you that getting copy from members is like trying to get blood from a stone!

Any editor of a specialist publication like this will snatch the arms off potential contributors! If there appear to be more free-flight and control-line articles, its because members of those disciplines can actually be bothered to write about their activities!

The BMFA does not have a staff of journalists working on this magazine. Even commercial operations like RCM&E have few full-time editorial staff. The BMFA mags depends heavily on contributions from members. No contributions from a certain discipline, no coverage! Simples!

I had this argument a couple of years back with a vociferous group on a heli forum. One of the members took me at my word and wrote an article. It was immediately published!

Q.E.D.

--

Pete

[MattyB]

Posted by fly boy3 on 16/03/2017 23:11:41:

I am with Martin and Percy on this one. Perhaps a tick box as to who requires the magazine, and if the answer is no, perhaps a reduction of £5 in subs instead. Just a thought . Cheers

Been suggested many times, but I wouldn't hold your breath whilst this generation is in charge at the top of the BMFA. It seems the leadership are (not unreasonably I suppose) keen to protect the right of those who want to receive the magazine in hard copy, but do not believe those of us who would far rather consume it electronically have the same right to choose, even though it has the potential to cut some costs.

Posted by Andy Green on 17/03/2017 08:45:54:

...Personally I'd be happy paying an additional £5, to support the NFC.

Andy

Nothing is stopping you from contributing, but please don't speak for the rest of us on this one. The BMFA has set out the funding model for the National Centre (i.e. development beyond the initial phases is funded only through the revenue it generates plus donations/grants) and they need to stick to that, not come round with the begging bowl to the wider membership.

[Former Member]

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