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Written by Andrew Beaven on . Posted in Club notices and news / Uncategorised

For White Sheet members (2018 AGM Recap)

Happy New Year to all.

I hope everyone has enjoyed the festive season and the start of 2019 has gone well for you.

If I may, I’d like to take you back to 2018 for a short time to tell you a little about your clubs AGM.

For anyone interested a detailed account of the 2018 White Sheet Radio Flying Club AGM, what was said and done,  can be accessed from the link at the end of this page.

For a brief account of the day read on.

As always, every member is invited to attend White Sheet’s Radio Flying Club AGM, and many do.

We also understand that many of you have other commitments especially as the festive time of year is imminent.

One example is that the 2018 AGM fell on the same day as one of the many F3F competitions that are held throughout the year.

F3F, a class of competition for radio-controlled model gliders, administered by the Fédération Aéronautique International. The competition involves flying 10 consecutive laps of a 100m course as fast as possible. Why not come along to one of the F3F events held at White Sheet and see what it’s about. There is always plenty of people willing to talk to who will be pleased to explain what is going on and demonstrate the gliders being used.

White Sheet has a solid core of F3F participants and given the choice of AGM or flying, understandably, for most, flying won the day.

The exception was our honourable competition secretary Stuart Wallace. Who’s dedication to the club is genuinely apparent. He carried out his club duties, very honourably, putting his own desires aside, and attending the AGM, over what must have been a very difficult and compelling choice of flying and competing in the F3F competition.

We know this must have been a very difficult decision and we commend Stuart in his actions.

We wont talk about another member of the committee, “he who must not be named” as the individual chose, not to, attend the AGM, in favour of traipsing miles across the country to some event where, one unruly gang of men fight another unruly gang of men to posses a synthetic, waterproof, bag of air!  I haven’t finished… After all that effort, when they’ve got the synthetic, waterproof, bag of air, what do they do?  put the synthetic, waterproof, bag of air, back on the ground!

I know, go figure, as they say in the America. 🙂

Only jesting, Dav… woah! I nearly slipped up. As in the world of Harry Potter we had better refer to this person as “he who must not be named”… Who knows what magical terror would befall us, if revealed. 🙂

Overall the meeting was a very friendly and relaxed affair. Everyone has a chance to contribute and many do.

Our honourable chairman Chris Lamming captained the meeting in a friendly and progressive manner, making sure we covered all required areas whilst continually encouraging participation by everyone.

After the AGM agenda was presented and signed off by committee and members, Mr Mike Bleathman volunteered to take centre stage as presenter, of the 2018 “White Sheet Radio Flying club Presentations”

This was an entertaining part of the days proceedings, as Mike spoke about the awards, contenders and winners. Finally finding the ultimate award winner was himself. Mike continued with professionalism and modesty, remaining humble, as he presented the 2018 Arborist of the year award, to… himself!

Well done Mike. Keep practicing. The 2019 Arborist award could also be yours…

Chris Lamming wound up the days event by presenting White Sheet Radio Flying Club 2018 promotional Hoodies to those who qualified. We must express deepest commiserations for Mr Ian Duff, our honourable treasurer, who missed out on his White Sheet hoodie by one,, little,, tiny,, round, sticker. I’d like to say, for Ians benefit, that the hoodies weren’t all that great, quite awful really, but… unfortunately Ian, the hoodies are of a superb design and quality that I’m positive will be unmatched this side of the South Pole!

Finally, to remember the day, a group photo of attendees was taken, by our multi talented chairman Mr Chris Lamming.

After close of the AGM, many remained to talk, laugh and cry, with friends new and old.

From the mixture of mingling chatter and laughter in the room it was apparent that White Sheet Radio Flying Club has a knowledgeable and amiable association of members that, I, myself and I am sure all of you are proud to be part of.

It was apparent that the days events were very successful and a credit to all our committee and club members. Those present on the day, and those away, who also contributed to the event in their absence. Notice I didn’t reveal “he who must not be named” 🙂 Mr, Master, Sir, Vice Boss, Big D…d, thank you for all the hard work and contributions that assisted us minions with the smooth running of the 2018 AGM.

For a more detailed and a slightly more sensible account of the days proceedings you can access your clubs AGM minutes from here:

http://whitesheet.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/White-Sheet-Radio-Flying-Club-AGM-2018-Minutes-SW-edit-1.pdf

Thank you all, for your continued support of the wonderful White Sheet Radio Flying Club.

I wish you all many fun filled enjoyable hours flying on the hill in 2019, as Buzz Lightyear says, to infinity and beyond…

Regards,

Andrew Beaven (club secretary)

Disclaimer: only prescribed drugs were used whilst writing this account.

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Written by Andrew Beaven on . Posted in Club notices and news / Safety

BMFA Membership to go up

IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE FOR ALL MEMBERS

Nationally there has been an increase in claims on the BMFA insurance resulting in an increase in premiums for 2019. Other than an emergency caused by equipment failure this should not happen if members are flying in accordance with club rules and the safety guidance provided by the BMFA.

In particular pilots should:

Only fly when standing on an agreed flightline for the conditions on the day.

Stand within communication distance of each other when flying.

Do not fly over or behind the flightline.

Do not fly over the pits, people, or parked cars.

Before each flight check that the failsafe for your particular Rx is correctly set and consider the SWEETS and SMART Acronyms.

SWEETS.

S– Sun – Where is the sun in relation to where you will be flying? Will it affect your flight patterns? What actions will you take if you accidentally fly ‘through ’ the sun? Should you be wearing sunglasses? Remember that low sun in winter can be a particular problem.

W – Wind – Consider the wind strength and direction. How will this affect your flights? Will you have to modify your normal launch and, especially, your landing patterns? From your local knowledge, will there be any turbulence with ‘this’ wind direction and strength? And how bad might it be?

E – Eventualities – What will you do if you hear or see a full size aircraft or helicopter flying at low level near the slope? What if the landing area is suddenly obstructed when you are on finals to land?  What will you do if members of the public enter the slope.

E – Emergencies How will you warn other field users if you have an emergency?

T – Transmitter Control Are you familiar with the system and understand how it works?

S – Site Rules – Are there any specific site rules you should be aware of? Most importantly, where are the no- fly zones or dead airspace areas on the site?

SMART

Before Connecting Drive battery or starting engine check:

S – Switches ON (Tx before Rx)

M – Model selected is correct.

A – Aerial secure / extended if appropriate.

R – Rate switches all in correct positions.

T -Transmitter voltage good and Trims all in correct positions.

 

Apologies if this is seen as teaching an elderly female relative to suck eggs, but it is in all our interests to ensure that we operate and fly our models in a safe manner and that we maintain our excellent safety record..

WITH THANKS TO DAVID BRADFIELD AND FROME MODEL FLYING CLUB.

 

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Written by Andrew Beaven on . Posted in Articles

**** White Sheet Radio Flying Club 2018 AGM ****

 

White Sheet Radio Flying Club invite all members to the 2018 AGM 

THE DAY—>       Saturday 17th November

THE TIME —>      Commencing 2:30pm

THE PLACE —>     The Dolphin Inn, Gillingham. Dorset

 

Hello, fellow static aviators…

Hopefully you have all enjoyed a fabulous year flying in the beautiful Wiltshire countryside up on White Sheet Down.

     

<—Open Slopes events were very successful—>

 

Fortunately we were blessed with fabulous weather this year

     

2018 was a great year for “F3F” at White Sheet

Practising, competitions or just for the sheer enjoyment of flying the pinnacle of sailplane technology

     

Piloting skills are superb and the accompanying soundtrack of an

F3F airframe howling across the sky is quite exhilarating

 

~~~~~~~~~~

Organised events have all run very successfully in 2018,

with one exception…. You knew it was coming…

Scale !

 

What happened?

These guys don’t know…

 

When all the sky gods cooperate and scale birds get airborne,

 it is always a marvellous sight to see.

       

No! this gentleman is not relaxing.

Contrary to what this photo may suggest, actually,  this gentleman is navigating for a fellow pilot.

A very important job and proof that, yes, pictures do lie.  Honest…

 

We all wish you better luck with your scale events next year Chris

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

TO BUSINESS,  LADIES AND GENTLEMAN.

2019 is fast approaching, and the winter season will soon be upon us again.

As always this signifies that it is AGM time once again.

Yes!

I am positive every one of you just shouted Yes…

   

Please add WSRFC AGM to your diary

 

As in previous years, the 2018 AGM will be held at

The Dolphin Inn, Gillingham, Dorset.                      Kicking off at 2:30pm.                                 Saturday 17th November 2018

       
       

How to find us …

For those of us who haven’t been before the postcode for your SAT-NAVs is —>

SP8 4HB

 

For those without all that newfangled pesky technology —>

 

The Dolphin Inn can be found on the B3092 on the outskirts of Gillingham Dorset.

If you drive through Gillingham on the B3092 looking to your starboard side and do not see The Dolphin Inn, turn around and drive back through Gillingham.

Once again, survey the starboard side and you will be sure to find The Dolphin Inn.

If not, turn around and repeat all the above until you do….

~~~~~~~~

The Agenda

(Revision 1*)

  1. Minutes of 2017 AGM.
  2. Matters arising.
  3. To receive an annual report from each member of the Executive Committee.
  4. To review an audited statement of the funds of the WSRFC. The audit shall be carried out by a member who is not on the Committee.
  5. Consider and adopt, WSRFC Handbook Amendments, for 2018-2019
  6. Approve charitable donation proposed at the previous year’s AGM.
  7. Select charity for support in 2019.
  8. To hold elections
  9. To set the Annual Subscription for the ensuing year.
  10. Consider proposed, WSRFC Handbook Amendments, for 2019-2020
  11. *Announce provisional dates for 2019 open slopes
  12. *Announce provisional dates for 2019 Scale meetings
  13. *Announce provisional dates for 2019 F3F competitions at White Sheet.
  14. Other Business
  15. To vote on motions listed on the agenda.
 

And finally,

Prize giving ceremony

Mike Bleatham has kindly agreed to be presenter for the 2018 Open Slopes Prize giving ceremony.

Thank you Mike.

 

“CALLING ALL White Sheet Radio Flying Club Members“

 

White Sheet Radio Flying Clubs AGM is YOUR chance to have a say in how YOUR club is run so please do come along.

If you have anything you would like to propose please comment via the links below.

Any comments not relevant to the AGM agenda will be thoroughly ignored and deleted ….

Sensible comments & your proposals please, to your: 

Chairman  chairman@whitesheet.org.uk

Secretary    secretary@whitesheet.org.uk

 

~~~~~~~~

  The main event is the AGM but of course this is also an opportunity to meet with friends new and old, chat about this years interesting landings, the latest F3F technology, scale gliders or just about anything. There’s always something to talk about, and then there is, free food…

~~~~~~~~

Thank you for taking the time.

We hope to see you soon.

Regards,

Andrew Beaven

WSRFC Secretary 2017-2018

 

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Written by Andrew Beaven on . Posted in Articles

Notice for all White Sheet RFC Members

  • This month’s club meeting, (October 2018) usually held at the Somerset Arms, Maiden Bradley, will NOT take place.

Please note:

  • Unlike normal club meetings, generally scheduled for the second Wednesday of the month, Novembers meeting is scheduled for the first Wednesday of the month.
Please be sure to update your calendars accordingly.
  • Wednesday 7th November 2018, commencing at the usual time at or before 8pm, and the usual place, The Somerset Arms, Maiden Bradley.
Remember all White Sheet Radio Flying Club Members are always welcome to join us there.
  • Please continue to regularly check the website for updates.

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Written by Andrew Beaven on . Posted in Articles

BMFA AGM

  Formal Notice Of The 71st Annual General Meeting Of The Society Of Model Aeronautical Engineers LTD
Patron:             HRH The Duke of Edinburgh KG.           President:       Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Alcock.
British Model Flying Association,
Chacksfield House,
31 St Andrews Road,
Leicester.
LE2 8RE

Tel: (+44) 116 2440028.       Fax: (+44) 116 2440645.     Email: admin@bmfa.org

———————————————————————————————————————
The Annual General Meeting of the Society will be held at the Jurys Inn Hinckley Island Hotel, A5 Watling Street, Hinckley, Leicestershire LE10 3JA (Junction 1 off the M69 signposted Hinckley/Milton Keynes A5), on Saturday 17th November 2018 and will commence at 1:30pm. Registration will be from 10:00am. The following nominations have been received for the vacant Elected Officer’s posts on the Council of Management:
  1. Chairman **                             (1 year term)      Ian Pallidter FSMAE
  2. Vice-Chairman                         (2 year term)      Peter Halman FSMAE
  3. Honorary Secretary                  (2 year term)      Mark Benns
  4. Competition Secretary             (2 year term)      Jo Halman FSMAE
  5. Records Officer                        (2 year term)      Simon VaitKevicius
  6. FAI Delegate **                        (1 year term)       Julie Fisher
** Co-opted at Full Council Meeting January 2018 until the AGM ON 17th November 2018. There are no ballots required for Elected Officer’s posts. There are no ballots required for Technical Committees. Biographical details of all candidates will be included in the BMFA News. PROXY FORM’s for the use of Fellows or Clubs who are unable to attend the AGM must be returned to the Chief Executive to arrive not later than 1:30pm on Friday 16th November 2018.  
  • Proxy Voting Form:                  Click Here
  • Prize Giving Dinner Form:       Click Here
  • Accommodation:                     Click Here
  • AGM Programme:                    Click Here
   

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