Persons Present
Chris Bromley FSMAE / Area Chairman
Steve Ogden Area Secretary/ PMAG
Roy Allam Area V/Chairman / Ach Scheme Co-Ord / Fylde Coast MFA.
Tom Anyon Blackpool MHC/A.C.E.
Derek Gilbert Area Treasurer / Sale MAC
David Lloyd-Jones Area Pro.
Mike Colling FSMAE / Area Delegate / Wigan MFC
Wayne Pendleton Area R/C Comp.Sec. / CLMG
Alan Cantwell Compton Hall MFC
Alan Miller Runcorn MA
Ken Griffiths Blackburn & DMAC
Gerry Ferer Timperley MF
John O'Donnel Timperley MF
Stephen Headland Rochdale MAC
Keith Barker Rochdale MAC
Charles Vandries Oldham & DMAC
John Beech Clywd SA
Geoff Jackson Parkway MFC
Richard Budd Oldham & DMAC/ACE
Sue Reeves PMAG
20 Persons Present 15 Eligible to vote. Meeting opened at 8.10pm.
.
1) APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Roy Lever, Andy Ellison and Malcolm Harding all sent their apologies for not
being able to attend.
2) MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
Meeting held on 6/2/2000
These were proposed as a true record by BMHC, seconded by Academy Flyers.
For 14 Against 0 Abstentions 1
3) MATTERS ARISING
Steve Ogden (Area Sec) was asked if the problems with the web site had been
resolved he reported that all was well at the moment.
4) CORRESPONDENCE
Roy Allam (Area Ach Sch. Co-Ord.) reported that as yet he had received ratification
for 134 Club Examiners. And that an additional 3 Examiners had not as yet been
ratified by a club. He added that lots of Clubs seem to have problems filling
in the affiliation form and did not seem to know the difference between a Club
Examiner and Instructor.
Chris Bromley (Area Chairman) said that he would be looking into improving and simplifying the form in the near future.
Roy Allam continued by saying that he had received an apology from the Midland Area concerning the conduct of one of their ACE's. The matter related to a Midland ACE whom had performed club examiner tests on two candidates from the NW Area without consultation or approval from the NW Area.
Steve Ogden (Area Sec) said that the practice of candidate going to another area for testing, believing that they may get an easier or more relaxed test needed to be discouraged. And that it could lead to totally unsuitable candidates achieving examiner status. He felt that only candidates tested and passed by their own area should be allowed to operate in that particular area.
Roy Allam said that an examiner could test candidates for another area but only with the approval and co-operation of that area.
Chris Bromley added that he would bring this issue up at the next meeting of the Ach.Sch. Review Committee.
5) OFFICERS REPORTS
Roy Allam said that he had received an E-mail from R.Budd a NW Area ACE about
ACE's paperwork.
Chris Bromley said that he would talk to him after the meeting.
Derek Gilbert (Area Treasurer) reported that he was drawing up the accounts for the last financial year. He added that the Area was running at a deficit of about £200 a year, but retained a balance of around £3,000 in the bank.
Tom Anyon PNW Editor said that the web pages were being tidied up at the moment and should be much better when finished.
Chris Bromley reported that the F&M crisis had resulted in many events being cancelled but that around ½ the clubs were still able to fly. Although most slope soaring sites remained closed. He added that despite the problems at the moment membership was about 1800 up on this time last year.
David Lloyd Jones (Area Pro) said that he had spoken to MAFF about operating sites within arable farmland and was told that the decision whether to fly or not was up to the landowner concerned.
Gerry Ferer asked if now would be a good time to make more use of airfields?
Chris Bromley said that although the site may ok to use the trouble comes when a model lands outside of the boundaries in fields that may be used by animals or is off limits. And that even the F/F Nat's looked doubtful at the moment, a final decision would be made on May 3rd or 4th.
John O'Donnel said that if the F/F Nat's were off he would organise a non-flying convention. He asked if the details could be reported in PNW. This was agreed.
Gerry added that Cobham Common and Epsom Downs remained open for flying.
6) COUNCIL AGENDA
Mike Colling (Area Del) said that he had asked lots of questions at the last
meeting as instructed. The meeting had approved the allocation of £1,250
to the Southern Area for a "Model Show". And that the money would
be taken from contingency funds and then replaced later when it was decided
where it should come from. The voting was For 19 Against 2 Abstentions 2.
Keith Barker asked if something similar could be done in the NW.
Mike Colling said that it would need councils to become interested and that was difficult.
David Lloyd Jones said that he and Wayne Pendleton had attended the Cheshire Show some years ago but it had not helped aeromodelling in the area much, if at all.
7) ACE (APOINTMENT)
Roy Allam reported that he had written to both Ray Jones and Andy Ellison asking
for their opinions on the appointment of an ACE in the Llyen peninsular. Both
agreed that they did not see the need for another ACE at the moment. Roy Allan
said that the final decision was up to the meeting.
Chris Bromley said that it might be better to see how things develop during the year and to review the situation at the AGM.
This was proposed by Parkway MFC and seconded by CLMAG and was passed unanimously.
8) AEROSPACE CHALLENGE
There was a general discussion and it was agreed that although a valid event
it was perhaps missing the mark and some changes needed to be made to help and
encourage more participation from schools and groups. It was also felt that
some of the new rule changes were wide of the mark and would not help the challenge
at all.
Chris Bromley said that we were doing it wrong and could understand the frustration felt by our outgoing Ed.Co-ord Brian Tindle. He added that things will change and we may find that running the qualifying events at the schools would be more productive.
9) NW AREA FLY-IN
Wayne Pendleton (Area R/C Comp Sec) reported that everything was still on. He
said that car parking would cost £1 per car as last year, which the host
club would collect. The meeting decided to carry on borrowing the fencing for
the time being.
10) AOB
A, Keith Barker outlined an idea for a Training and Instruction Fly-in to take
place later in the year. He asked if the Area would help with funding etc.
Chris Bromley said that if he could come back to the meeting with firm proposals it would be considered.
B, Tom Anyon said that he had been asked to give an after dinner speech on Monday 23rd April at Southport. He asked if anyone would like to give it a go. The meetings felt that Tom should take it on himself and possibly enlist the help of the local club. This would make them feel more involved.
C, Gerry Ferer asked if the taxation changes in the budget would help the BMFA and model flying in general? Derek Gilbert replied that the new rules would be of little if any assistance at all.
D, Alan Cantwell outlined a proposal for an indoor R/C Fly-In and asked if the Area would support him and help financially?
Chris Bromley said that the Area should look to hold an event of this sort that could also include F/F as well. He added that if we could find a suitable venue to hold the event the Area could underwrite the event until it becomes self financing.
E, Allan Miller asked how the meeting to discuss a new National HQ went.
Mike Colling said that it would be pointless to repeat the report in the BMFA News. But added that the meeting was inconclusive with several different proposals put forward and voted on.
Chris Bromley said that the point was that no decision was needed at this time and that when real need for change occurs, then Council will be more decisive.
The Meeting ended at 11.00pm. These minutes are provisional until approved at the next meeting 8/5/2001.
S.F.Ogden North West Area Secretary