The following was received from the British Model Flying Association:- 

Further to the recent publication of CAP1775 which launched a consultation on the CAA’s proposed arrangements for registration fees (£16.50 per person per annum) for operators of unmanned aircraft, the UK model flying association (BMFA/LMA/SAA & FPVUK) held a meeting last night with advisers.

The text in CAP1775 is far more serious than the issue of registration fees alone.  The consultation reveals that key policy decisions (such as age limits, not allowing us to register members on their behalf and repetitive competency requirements) appear to have been imposed on us in the absence of either consultation or the further discussions the DfT/CAA publicly promised. 

The policies outlined are inconsistent with the EASA Regulations for model flying associations, because they mandate requirements which should instead be subject to negotiation and agreement with us prior to incorporation into our operational authorisation.  As the scope of the consultation is limited to the fee arrangements, it does not invite comment on these wider policy issues.

As the CAA/DfT have evaded engagement with us on policy development since the end of 2018 and have now seemingly closed the door on us with CAP1775 , we believe that it is now time for members to hold them directly to account.

The attached document (UK Model Flyers – Call to action) summarises the views of the UK Associations, explains what we hoped to achieve and outlines where we believe the CAA/DfT have failed our members, who are the largest single stakeholder group affected by CAP1775.  Hard copies of this document will also be sent to every member with the next issue of the BMFA NEWS.

This call to action is just one element of a wider co-ordinated campaign.  There is still a long way to go with this and please be assured it is by no means the end of the story.

(Manx Model Flyers members were sent details of types of response letter by email on 9th May 2019.)

We need a big response on this and we would urge every club and every member to help us.

From 1st January 2019 it is now an offence to fly in the statutory no fly zone marked in red on the map.  It was in the club rules as no fly zone anyway, but now it is a legal requirement not to fly there.  (Please ‘click’ on the map to enlarge).

Click on the link below to read the latest club ‘Flypaper’

Flypaper-Xmas-2018

Flypaper Sept 2018

Flypaper Jul 2018

Flypaper April 2018

Flypaper March 2018

Flypaper February 2018

Flypaper January 2018

Flypaper December 2017

Flypaper November 2017

From an article in this month’s BMFA News:  Extensive testing has shown that receiving data to a mobile phone which is close to your transmitter DOES interfere with the link between transmitter and receiver. (And not just yours, also the flyer who is stood beside you on the flightline). The message has to be …… LEAVE YOUR PHONE IN YOUR CAR.

Polo shirts embroidered with the Manx Model Flyers logo are available from Promenade T Shirts, Queens Promenade, Douglas.  15 colours to choose from, sizes from small to XXL.  Price £18.99 (including the logo).  Sweat shirts, fleeces etc. are also available.  Be the best dressed flyer on the airfield!