BMFA Question Time 25 2 21

An opportunity to question key people in the British Model Flying Association about all things BMFA. From Achievements to our websites and all things in between.
The BMFA Chairman, CEO, Development Officer and Club Support Officer were be joined by guest panellists from the CC anthe BMFA Insurers for an hour and a half of discussion about the topics raised by members.

[@kenbailey5866]

Great discussion - thanks to all. Thinking of reporting 'incidents', I am reminded of the old RAF scheme of 'Anymouse' reports back in the 1950s-60s (or so). We learned a lot from them.

[@MarcSinclair3]

Brilliant stuff BMFA! Great to see faces behind "the firm" :) and thank you to all involved for hosting all these wonderful educational talks/seminars etc.

[@ericwatt1447]

My flyers ID never changed when i renewed it my insurance company Coverdrone asked me for my my flyers and operator id .Now passed my A2cofc as well January this year .

[@BritishModelFlyingAssociation]

Flyers Ids were origibally valid for 3 years so wouldnt have changed, it is Operator Id's that changed format from Mid December 2020

[@rmdave1965]

Its nice to see the BMFA using KZbin as not everyone uses facebook or other platforms. I have just renewed my drone! Oh sorry,aircraft registration!! Its something i will do as i enjoy the sport/hobby but i also think its unnecessary! My particular gripe is the opperator id. My new id is 25 characters long!!! Using a tape printer with 8mm letters its over 4inches long!! There are over 3.6 million combinations of ten letters,i dobt there are that many fliers of planes/drones in the country. Maybe the numpty at the CAA could answer as to why 25 characters are needed?

[@gingermattb]

If you watch the video he does exactly that during his answer to Q1... I am not convinced that the new format is compliant with the EASA regs though, the CAA themselves have put this in doubt when asked about it very recently and at ~38 mins Dave Phipps implies exactly that... www.modelflying.co.uk/forums/index.php?/topic/47141-new-issue-caa-operator-number/page/3/#comments

[@BritishModelFlyingAssociation]

David The characters only need to be 3mm tall, put them over 2 lines and they fit on a label 21mm x 8mm

[@rmdave1965]

@@BritishModelFlyingAssociation Thanks! I know! Thats not the point i was making!!! 25 characters are not necessary.

[@BritishModelFlyingAssociation]

@@rmdave1965 there are actually only 19 characters, yes still far more than is necessary, but still only really a minor irritation.

[@ericwatt1447]

Been thinking on joining you guys but i don't know what good i would get out of your group as money money so if your group would be good for me lets know .

[@kenfretwell7947]

At a flitefest are the visitors insured to fly?

[@BritishModelFlyingAssociation]

Hi Ken. Great question. Yes is the answer, any non flying non member is covered automatically for their first 3 visits to a club

[@Retset]

1:11:00 This is important to note. Airlines have increased their safety by adopting a no blame reporting culture. That said, I have read the appropriate part of CAP 722 (starts p70) and am still a bit confused. Is there a plan for a simplified version for the revised handbook?

[@BritishModelFlyingAssociation]

Yes, we are working on a guided process for incident reporting which is very much along the 'no blame reporting' philosophy.

[@Retset]

@@BritishModelFlyingAssociation Thanks!

[@kennethhawley1063]

CAA requirements are disproportionate because the CAA has not produced a proper risk assessment for model flying activities. The document the CAA call a risk assessment is in fact a Hazard Assessment. There is no attempt to make a quantitive assessment of the probability of a potential hazard occurring, even though this a legal requirement- hence the disproportionate implementation of the regulations. The CAA and our technologically illiterate politicians should be challenged on this.

[@1701_FyldeFlyer]

Have to say, the CAA drone registration scheme will probably see me leave the hobby in a year or so. It's unnecessary bureacracy brought about by inept Government. The illegal drone flyers will still do their illegal activity while people like me are fed up at paying extra unnecessary costs, sell up and leave the hobby. This will be the thin end of the wedge with more stringent regulation will be brought in, mark my words.

[@BritishModelFlyingAssociation]

Thanks for your comment. We understand the frustration, however the hurdles that have been put in front of us are small and easily cleared (despite the frustration). However the signs are good going forward that the CAA will work with us to minimise the effects of any regulatory changes for our members

[@malcyjb]

So why would you say the "illegal" own users.... name one, show me one.... ? I've been flying drones "legally" for a long time, member of several groups etc. the reality is people like you are the ones that give us a bad name which is totally unwarranted... you are just and idiot and give model or drone flyers, as the public have no idea what is what, bad publicity.