Is this the end of aeromodelling?

[Paul De Tourtoulon]

6 hours ago, Andy Stephenson said:

I don't think I even knew I needed a licence back in the 60s, I just went and flew my single channel bang-bang on the common.

"Flew", my bang bang just banged itself into the ground, maybe the furthest flight was 25 yards ( exaggerating again )

[kevin b]

19 hours ago, Andy Stephenson said:

I don't think I even knew I needed a licence back in the 60s, I just went and flew my single channel bang-bang on the common.

I think that is what has caused the current situation, only it wasn't the common but an International airport (allegedly).

That is the difference between the average intelligence level in the 60's and now.

As the gene pool gets shallower it also dilutes the intellect. 

 

I used to laugh at some of the antics of some of our American cousins. Now I look around and just shake my head.

Edited March 2, 2023 by kevin b

[Graff]

It's a slippery slope with these regulations (that ONLY exists because there's big money pushing the agenda), there'll be more and more restrictions for regular line of sight model airplane flyers.

The group that should be restricted is the drones, not model airplanes.

Here in Sweden, we have to pay a yearly fee of £10 to have our registration number.

All of our model airfields are to be registered with the national traffic administration.

If we fly outside of the registered airfields, we have to have a drone license, which costs £25 and if failed has to be paid again, and again, and again.... Which is what happens, as we model fliers don't know much about drones....

On top of that, the model flying insurance isn't valid anymore if you fly outside of registered airfields, and not many insurance companies accepts model airplanes....

We have been told that the yearly fee can be raised indefinitely as the fees are to pay for the administration of the registry.

And the fewer who registers themselves, the more it'll cost.

The raised the fee with 200% since last year with that very explanation.

 

[Peter Jenkins]

It seems to me that those of us in the UK have, so far, fared a good deal better than elsewhere.  Let's hope that the CAA, and more particularly the Dept of Transport, its parent, doesn't change tack.

 

It is very clear from the current war in Ukraine that UAVs are here to stay.  Like all aeronautical advances, it's the military that first puts the money into technology.  It is now clear that the civil side has decided that there is a market for UAVs, or drones. and that their usage can be quite widespread.  This can range from pipeline and electricity line inspection to transfer of organs from one hospital to another.  We shouldn't get too hung up about Amazon deliveries as I suspect that they might yet not work too well.  However, judging by the number of drone based shots in an increasing number of TV programmes as well as Estate Agent use, we are likely to see an increase in drone traffic in the not too distant future.  It would, therefore, be in our interest to have our normal operating fields protected from overflight of commercial drone routes.

 

I am less concerned about the increasing cost of registration provided we're not going beyond £25 per annum.  That's around the cost of 5 litres of glow fuel.  Apologies if that is a deal breaker for you but we have to consider that we never have and never will own the airspace above us.

[Tony Richardson]

Hi all, first let me say I have no idea how the BMFA operates with air transport regulators in the UK so I offer no comment other than to all model fliers to be vigilant, observe and obey the rules laid out for you..

 

There is a lot of anger and frustration over here at the moment because we, the general modeling public, have been put into a position where we have a lot red tape to negotiate brought on by the reckless and selfish actions of a few.

 

First we now have to pass an online certification test consisting of 35 questions, most of these questions are related to fullsize aircraft not models, when you pass that you are required to register your models for a minimal fee of $5 per model, it's a one time fee.  Now the fun begins you must keep a log book of all your flights with each model, as with a full size, you must also keep a log book detailing any and all repairs on each and every model, something as simple as a prop change must be logged, prior to flying at your chosen site you must do a site survey - basically file a flight plan ( log it ) stating weather wind etc, it probably sounds far more cumbersome than it will eventually be luckily most of Canada is still in the throws of winter so time yet to get our heads around all this.

 

There are two levels of " Drone " certification ( lord I hate that word ) but we are now all considered drone pilots in the eyes of Transport and Nav Canada.

Basic level covers the pilot for club fields etc,  Advanced level certification for those that fly in restricted airspace, unfortunately some 50+ club fields fall into this category, meaning members of those clubs will need an advanced certificate to fly, that may change in the future, the advanced exam is 50 questions allowing two thirds the time required for the basic, followed by a flight test by an approved Transport Canada examiner - really starting to sound like a full size aircraft pilot now isn't it.  A lot of needless rules because of the selfishness of others. 

 

All I can say to you is, support you organization BMFA even if you have issues with how it is run or setup, remember the more voices you have advocating for you the more likely you will be heard.. 

 

MAAC our organization is still working with Transport Canada so maybe all is not lost.

 

And for those of you who will surely ask, Yes I did take the exam and pass because I wish to fly this season, we all know government moves at the speed of a two legged elephant so change will not come quickly..

 

 Tony..

Edited March 5, 2023 by Tony Richardson

[Peter Jenkins]

Tony

 

I'm sure that MAAC has already contacted the BMFA to find out how they managed to negotiate the rules with our Dept of Transport under which we in the UK operate.  If they have not done so, might I suggest that you ask them to contact the CEO of the BMFA, Dave Phipps, to get chapter and verse on how he presented our case.  Dave also worked with EASA, the European Aviation and Safety Organisation which does the same job as the UK CAA, to get them to see sense.

 

I hope that we don't have another big fight coming along on conspicuity!

[Tony Richardson]

Hi Peter, what is your altitude limit in the UK?

[Peter Jenkins]

Hi Tony

 

Very briefly, if you are a member of one of the 4 model associations granted a waiver then when operating outside an Aerodrome Traffic Zone or any other controlled airspace and your aircraft max all up weight is not more than 7.5 Kg then there is no altitude limit other than you must maintain unaided visual contact with the model at all times.  As I fly FAI aerobatics with an electric aircraft that is weight limited to not more than 5 Kg this works fine for me and my sport.  The maximum height I've seen from my telemetry has been 1,200 ft but is usually between 900-1,000 ft.

 

If your model is over 7.5 Kg MAUW then you are limited to 400 ft unless you have applied for and been granted a licence to fly above that height.

 

Above 25 Kg MAUW you are required to comply with the large model aircraft rules that cover inspection during building, and a requirement to fly a minimum number of hours before flying the aircraft in public.  You also need an appropriate certificate from the LMA for competence to fly.  

 

All BMFA members are required to passed the BMFA's basic flight examination and passed the modified drone law test managed by the BMFA.  That lasts for 5 years.  You must also register with the CAA on an annual basis as an Aircraft Operator - current cost £10 - but most do this when they pay their BMFA subs annually so you don't need to deal with the CAA.

 

If you are not a member of one of the 4 model associations then you have to go through the CAA competence rules