Persons Present
Chris Bromley FSMAE Chairman
Derek Gilbert Secretary and Treasurer / Sale MFC
Roy Allam Achievement Scheme Co-ordinator / FCMFA
David Lloyd-Jones Area PRO / CCMAA
Keith Barker Area Web Master / Rochdale MAC
Steve Ogden Area Delegate/PMAG
Sue Reeves Education Co-ordinator / PMAG
Tom Anyon A.C.E.
S Headland Rochdale MAC
Gery Ferer Timperley MF
Alan Cantwell Oldham DMAC
Michael Eccles Southport MAC
8 voting
The meeting commenced at 20. 10
Apologies for absence: Richard Budd ,Mike Colling FSMAE and Jim Radcliffe
Correspondence
The office had written enquiring if we had any attendees for the Flight Challenge
meeting, Sue Reeves confirmed she would be attending.
Minutes of the previous meetings
S Ogden noted that he was representing PMAG.
Minutes proposed by KB, seconded by DLJ, voting F: 75, A: 0, Ab:1
Matters Arising
RA read a further letter from Ray Jones which was discussed at some length.
RA agreed to reply again stating that ACEs do not have their own areas and it
was his decision to chose the most appropriate ACE for each test requested by
a club. In this instance DLJ was going to be at the club anyway and therefore
he considered it sensible to ask him to do the examiner test at the same time.
Officer's Reports
The Chairman noted that the Nationals had gone well, numbers of competitors
was up and we should know shortly if gate receipts were up as well and if the
finances were just as successful.
SR noted that there were 17 teams entered in the Flight Challenge and 6 individuals
for the elite challenge. There will be a meeting to discuss the event on 28th
October, which she will be attending, and would like to discuss this at the
next area meeting so she can put forward the area's views.
Council Agenda and Minutes
Areas Council meeting Minutes 10 June 2006
The minutes of the meeting were reviewed and discussed.
There appeared to be no contentious issues raised. JF raised the reference to
club headed notepaper, it was agreed that with a word processor a simple form
can be devised for any club without a formal printed one and the main reason
for the item was to ensure that items raised were put forward by the "club"
rather than say just one member of a club.
Full Council Agenda 16th September 2006
The agenda was reviewed, principle discussion points were:
13 SO against the change and felt that F5D would be better administered via
the BMPRA.
16 CB stated that the "Disability" document was in its seventh draft
and was on the agenda to try and finalise it to aim for an early publication.
Those in the room who had seen the draft had no points to raise.
22 CB noted that the BMFA NEWS Editor's problem was available space. The meeting
suggested that he could leave off anything prior to the publication date and
DLJ suggested that there could also be a reference to the web site as well.
23 There was some discussion regarding the "Unadopted" trophies and
it was explained, for example, that the Top Gun subsidiary trophies were not
recorded by the office. JF asked if this would also cover the NW Area trophies,
but apparently not. M Eccles noted that he had received nothing to keep from
last years event, not even a certificate, perhaps this would help rectify this.
Other than the above comments, no specific voting instructions were given to
the delegate.
Areas Council Agenda 30th September 2006
The agenda was considered by the meeting
The only topic of discussion was the CVs for ACEs much of which had little relevance
to expertise of the candidates or their suitability.
It was felt that it was very much a decision for the area to vet a candidate
and if Peter Spurway had any doubts he should be able to contact the area and
discuss any worries before the proposal was put to the areas council.
It was explained that item 6 was there to raise the discussion point of temporary
ACEs.
Other than the above comments, no specific voting instructions were given to
the delegate.
Area Fly-in and competitions
KB confirmed that the indoor meetings were all set for the winter season with
the hall booked for all the scheduled meetings. Nothing heard from the heli
group.
AC noted that Bury had a talk on indoor recently which could be a bonus at the
area indoor meeting if repeated there.
DLJ reported that Shawbury went well with 38 planes on the field. The meeting
agreed to a donation of £100 to the assault glider fund for the use of
the facilities and to plan for a similar event next year.
SO informed the meeting that toilets, food etc all arranged for the Stoke fly-in,
all organised by the local club.
DLJ reported that the Eddie Riding went well. No problems with the tent this
year and had purchased 2 gazebos for approx £150 which proved excellent
for the judging area. DLJ also suggested that we could consider a new class
for Eddie Riding designed models. He was aware of 8 plans that could be modernised
and would ask Richard Riding if he wished to donate a trophy.
JF asked that DLJ prepare a report of the E Riding competition, which he agreed
to do for the next area meeting.
CB suggested that we should put David Jones name forward for an award next year
for his contribution by donating paintings for so many years.
DLJ read a letter of condolence to the meeting that he had sent on behalf of
the area to Thelma Searle. Steve Ogden and Sue Reeves attended Arthur Searle's
funeral.
Proposal for ACE
SO proposed Derek Perchard to be appointed ACE to cover the south of the area.
He stated that he had been an examiner since 1981 and was to shortly apply to
become a heli examiner.
RA said that he would like at least one ACE to have seen him first before proposing
him, DLJ agreed to visit him before the next meeting.
CB reported to the meeting that Chas Gardner had asked him to be proposed as
a silent flight ACE. RA said that he would ask Andy Ellison to speak to him
and report back to the meeting. RA will also check that he is still listed as
a club examiner.
Examiners Meeting
CB reported that he had not heard how the Southern meeting went and asked that
this agenda item be carried forward to the next meeting.
Any Other Business
Fylde Coast asked that the office notify clubs before fee changes happen, most
seem to be told after the event.
Oldham raised concerns over the way the BMFA forum was managed. Recently many
comments were childish or rude and may well upset hard working members. CB agreed
to raise the subject of moderation at Council.
Oldham asked if we had a better meeting place would this attract more delegates.
It was felt that whilst the present room was not the best, the position was
good being close to M6 and A580 and for value for money hard to beat.
Timperley asked if we were soon to have BMFA minutes on the web. CB agreed that
Agendas may be useful and hoped to see them soon, but did not think the full
minutes would always be suitable for general public access.
The meeting closed at 10.36
These minutes are provisional until approved at the next meeting