Tier 4 ?

[tigerman]

I know a lot of people are saying we can continue to go model flying in tier 4 but are we really pushing the bounder on this .I think we are pushing it a bit . I ,and this is my own view think we should not be flying in tier 4 and I will not be flying until these restriction are lifted but everyone can have their own view on this and act on how they see fit

[Engine Doctor]

Agreed. Very difficult to only have two people meeting at a club site ? We have closed our site until restrictions are eased. Its no surprise that Covid is spreading seeing the way some are behaving and bending the rules to suit themselves. In

[Richard Wills 2]

Completely correct, I will be at the patch tomorrow afternoon enjoying open air recreation, not bending anything at all.

Edited By Richard Wills 2 on 30/12/2020 23:46:32

[john stones 1 - Moderator]

**LINK**

[Gary Manuel]

Use your head chaps.

This isn't rocket science.

[MattyB]

Posted by Engine Doctor on 30/12/2020 23:45:17:

Agreed. Very difficult to only have two people meeting at a club site ? We have closed our site until restrictions are eased. Its no surprise that Covid is spreading seeing the way some are behaving and bending the rules to suit themselves. In

It's really not difficult to setup an online calendar like Doodle or Google calendar for booking slots. Put that in place and the risk is identical to a walk outside on your own, and certainly far less than for activities like shopping in a supermarket. Yes we should take these current restrictions seriously, but the rules are very clear that our activity is legal in Tier 4, so you should not feel guilty for going flying.

[Glyn44]

Did anyone stay up until midnight to see the new tier in?

[cymaz]

Posted by Glyn44 on 31/12/2020 08:01:44:

Did anyone stay up until midnight to see the new tier in?

 

Very good

It maybe ok to go flying with another in teir 4 but would the landowner take exception to  it? I just worry that if anything went wrong, insurance companies would find a reason and or clause not to pay.

Edited By cymaz on 31/12/2020 08:14:03

Edited By cymaz on 31/12/2020 08:14:34

[Chris Walby]

Posted by tigerman on 30/12/2020 23:36:09:

I know a lot of people are saying we can continue to go model flying in tier 4 but are we really pushing the bounder on this .I think we are pushing it a bit . I ,and this is my own view think we should not be flying in tier 4 and I will not be flying until these restriction are lifted but everyone can have their own view on this and act on how they see fit

Clearly you are entitled to your opinion, but what gets my goat are people trying to twist the rules. No one is forcing you to go to the flying field and if you don't want to then don't go, but why try and stop me. Rule setting by stealth and opinion has no place in my book.

If the Gov and BMFA say we can fly, then we can, its then up to personnel choice if you do.

I have been up to the field twice to fly this week, first occasion one other member was there in the freezing fog for about 3 hours. Yesterday I was up there on my own flying/engine testing for about 3 hours, others flew in the afternoon after I had left.

The problem is people go to the field to socialise and they meet in groups, not those that want to go any just fly.

[Robert Parker]

I and fellow committee members of our club agreed to suspend all activities at our patch since we went into tier 4 on December 20th. Based on that going to the patch is not an essential journey and that due to the recent weather and local motorcyclists have made the patch almost unusable anyway.

As a by the way, I spent a week working on a Covid ward just before Christmas I'm not NHS staff but a building contractor we were putting up temporary screens on the ward forming airlocks we are due back next week. During the works working amongst the staff and patients sometimes less than 2m, the staff looked totally worn out and short-staffed. I can only concur that this is a horrible virus and am fully aware that it affects people very differently, for those in the hospitals it is very real. So if you can restrain yourselves for a few months, (the weather is against us most of the time at this time of year anyway) you will be helping yourself and others.

Go on build another plane or two, the flying can wait.

Regards

Robert

[Peter Miller]

John Stones link above shows that the BMFA say it is possible to go flying legally.

Our field is 100 yards square, Our pit tables are on wheels so can be moved easily well apart

The nearest public path is over 100 yards from the edge of the field.

So two pairs of members could go legally and safely.

On the other hand the narrow lane going past my house is a local village walk and going to be designated a "quiet road". There is a constant stream of families going past with children and dogs (Well the dogs are safe anyway) and social distancing at two metres is actually not possible.

I know which I feel is safer.

[Cuban8]

Just because it might be legal, it doesn't necessarily make it right.

[Simon Chaddock]

I do not fly model planes because I have to.

I take the view that in Tier 4 it is more a case of what you should do to minimise the risk to others rather than what it is possible to do.

I will not fly until things change or I am vaccinated.

[cymaz]

I shall keep sorting out the slot bookings made by club members. Six it is....no more no less ( currently in T3)

[Cliff Bastow]

My club has limited flying to only two members at the club at a time. They have set up a simple online booking system on Calendrly. We are only allowed to attend at our booked time and are allocated a 90 min slot. If we arrive early we have to remain in our car until our booked time.

Seems a sensible and safe approach to me but everyone has to make there own choices.

[cymaz]

In our club we’ve had a booking system for months. Members email me with the day and am / pm slot. It goes on the club site. First come, first served.

When the slot’s full...it’s full. As members turn up for flying they sign the register to confirm they’re there.

The club can then easily track and trace. It was a bit of a faff to start with. Now everyone is used to it.

When in tier one, numbers were more but we’re now at six.

[Matt Carlton]

The issue isn't the risk to ourselves or others whilst we are flying. The risk is, imho, the journey to and from. That journey carries risks in terms of breakdowns ( recovery people, garage workers etc) accidents (emergency services, hospital resources etc) and ancillaries (petrol, oil, washer fluid from shops and petrol stations) That is the biggest area of concern, not what happens at the field.

If we are to minimise our exposure to others except for essential journeys, then sadly, that covers model flying. If you're lucky and can walk to your field, then great. My field is a 20 minute drive, which I believe is not essential. I can get exercise by walking from my home.

We can, and do, make all sorts of excuses and caveats for why the rules don't apply to us based on various technicalities and loopholes, but the spirit of the restrictions is that we stay put unless it is essential (work, food, health).

Maybe if we'd all grasped that particular nettle a bit more vigorously in the first instance, things may be different. As it is, I'll stay at home, build, daydream and gaze wistfully out of the window. My selfish desire to fly a toy aeroplane is not worth putting the health of my family, myself and others at risk.

[leccyflyer]

Spot on Matt.

[Paul Marsh]

To tell you the truth, not to be a doomsayer, but 2021 will be worse than 2020, don't think there will be any shows or events happening next year, we've gone backwards and not even New Year.

best thing is we curl up and die, human race is had it. As long as there is humans around, there will be Covid.

[Gary Manuel]

 

Edited By Gary Manuel on 31/12/2020 11:31:26

[Trevor Crook]

Our club has set its electronic booking system to 2 people, plenty of room to spread out, but a bit cold and soggy for me at present. I would go flying with a clear conscience as I regard the risk of catching or spreading the virus while doing so is near zero. Never had an accident or breakdown in nearly 50 years of driving to the field. I see mixing with several people indoors as the main risk.

Incidentally, the car parks at our local angling lakes are absolutely rammed.

[Gary Manuel]

I've been flying a couple of times whist the maximum group number was six. I've lost track of what tier / lockdown / restriction this was called at the time.

On several occasions, I found myself drifting towards other people and saw other people drifting towards myself and others. This was both whilst flying and whilst doing field-work. I came to the conclusion that despite best efforts, it can be very difficult to avoid the very real risk of yourself and others drifting together whilst concentrating on other things (flying or working).

I have a heart condition and suspect that I would not fare too well if I caught the virus. I have therefore taken the decision to avoid subjecting myself and others to this risk, whilst the pandemic is at large. I do not judge others who choose to accept this risk, as long as they take care. We are all responsible for our own decisions, our own actions and our own fate.

Hopefully, the vaccines will overcome any mutations the virus may develop and we'll reach some sort of normality within the next few months.

May you all have a safe and Happy New year.

Edited By Gary Manuel on 31/12/2020 12:11:50

[Andy Symons - BMFA]

Posted by Paul Marsh on 31/12/2020 11:21:12:

To tell you the truth, not to be a doomsayer, but 2021 will be worse than 2020, don't think there will be any shows or events happening next year, we've gone backwards and not even New Year.

best thing is we curl up and die, human race is had it. As long as there is humans around, there will be Covid.

Cheery!!

[ken anderson.]

having attended two funeral yesterday of canny lads I grew up with who fell off their perches due to dicky tickers....Tier 4 is nothing in comparison ….. live life to last and enjoy everyday etc...….

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE from me....

ken anderson...ne...1...2021 dept.

[john stones 1 - Moderator]

Mixed thoughts for me, our members have been great all through this. In Tier 3 for now, but only small numbers going to the field.

Tier 4 ? I'd be happy to let those working have sole use of the field, should be workable as we're a small club, not my decision though.

Someone having an hour out the way, whilst within the law ? No one would say owt if you walked your Dog, wrap up warm lads.