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Written by Andrew Beaven on . Posted in NOTICES AND NEWS

GO-membership

GO-Membership

The BMFA has a new membership platform hosted by Go Membership.

You can:

  • Access your membership documents electronically.
  • Manage your own BMFA membership.
  • Download your membership documents.
  • If you joined the BMFA through another club you can now also affiliate yourself with all your clubs.
  • If you are a Country Member you can also affiliate yourself to all your clubs.
  • Access your personal profile.
  • Ensure your own details are kept up to date.
To see what its all about and sign up, just click the link below:

BMFA GO-membership

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Written by Andrew Beaven on . Posted in NOTICES AND NEWS

CAA DRES Registrations and Tests now available.

Registration & Test

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

Tests – Flyer ID

  • CAA DRES Test is now live. http://register-drones.caa.co.uk/
  • Tests are free.
  • Every three 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)

Operator Registration – Operator ID

  • CAA Operator Registration is now live. http://register-drones.caa.co.uk/
  • Operators must be 18 or over to register.
  • 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.

More information

Please check the BMFA & CAA websites for updates…

Unmanned Aircraft System Operations in UK Airspace:
CAP 722b

You may find the following safety apps useful

Download NATS Drone Assist app free…

Download Airmap free…

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Written by Andrew Beaven on . Posted in NOTICES AND NEWS / SAFETY

SAFETY

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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