New regulations regarding all Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)’s 250g -20kg come into force 30th November 2019. Please refer to latest BMFA news for updates
Everyone wishing to fly model aircraft will have to:
Pass – Register – Label
Pass an online (or offline hard copy) test to get a Flyer ID if you want to fly a drone or model aircraft.
Register for an Operator ID if you’re responsible for a drone or model aircraft
Label any drones and model aircraft you’re responsible for with your Operator ID
Everythree years all USAV operators (Unmaned Small Aerial Vehicles) need to sit, and pass, an online test to qualify for a Flyer ID
Minimum age: None, but children under 13 can only register with a parent or guardian present.
For those without internet access a hard copy of the test will be available. (Details yet to be confirmed)
Exemption from the Test for those holding a BMFA proficiency scheme “A” Certificate has been agreed.
Important information for BMFA members
BMFA members will not be required to take the DRES test with the current online system. With permission an alternate online DRES test will be offered through the BMFA direct at a later date. (Details yet to be confirmed)
For those without internet access a hard copy of the BMFA DRES test will be available at a later date. (Details yet to be confirmed)
There is an annual fee for registration as an operator of £9.00
Operators will be issued an Operator ID
Label any drones and model aircraft you’re responsible for with your Operator ID
Important information for BMFA members
BMFA members are not required to register as an operator with the current CAA online system. With permission the BMFA will administrator Registration and the annual £9.00 p.a. fee for its members. This will take place initially by 31 January 2020
White Sheet Members
You may choose to register and take the test independently with the CAA online system but please be advised, your membership of the BMFA is a condition required by White Sheet RFC to maintain compliance with the National Trust.
As it stands today, as members of the BMFA you can choose to delay your DRES registration and test process in favour of completing requirements through the BMFA with your annual BMFA membership renewal. (Full details of this service are yet to be announced)
As always:
Full responsibility for safe operation remains with the person operating the UAV.
It is up to individual operators to assure themselves of the accuracy of the data and comply with all UK drone rules and regulations.
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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Chris Williams 
British Association of Radio Control Soarers