Persons Present
Chris Bromley FSMAE Chairman
Mike Colling FSMAE Vice Chairman / Wigan
Derek Gilbert Secretary and Treasurer / Sale MFC
Roy Allam Achievement Scheme Co-ordinator / FCMFA
David Lloyd-Jones Area Delegate & PRO / CCMAA
Keith Barker Area Web Master / Rochdale MAC
Sue Reeves Education Co-ordinator / PMAG
Stephen Headland Rochdale MAC
Gerry Ferer Timperley MF
Jim Radcliffe Timperley DMFC
Tom Anyon ACE / FCMFA
Steve Ogden PMAG
Mike Eccles Southport MAC
Colin Hargreaves Whitefield MAC
Martin Hargreaves Whitefield MAC
7 voting, later 9 voting
The meeting commenced at 20. 05
Apologies for absence:
Chris Poyser
Correspondence
None
Minutes of the previous meetings
Corrections
Page 3 MC was at Birmingham University, page 5 GF referred to rule book rather
than just rules.
Minutes proposed by GF, seconded by KB, voting F: 7, A: 0, Ab: 0
Matters Arising
CB believed the Southern area examiners' meeting went well, but not attended
as well as expected. He would have an opportunity to discuss this further at
the meeting on Saturday and will report further at the next meeting. KB enquired
if we needed more venues over the area, but CB felt from past experience apathy
was the main difficulty.
Following from the Bristol wild life study the BMFA is also working on a Moorland Study which should give the BMFA access to expert reports on almost all types of wild life interaction with model flying.
The Flight Challenge has received a reduced sponsorship of £5,000 this year and it is likely that this will be the last year of B Aerospace funding. It was confirmed that the event will be at Duxford.
The Bye law discussions with DEFRA now separated Silent Flight & Electric
from Power and Power were now to comply with the noise code. 500gm ultra lite
class would have no restrictions. The next step is to put these forward for
Home Office approval. GF noted that these may assist the Knutsford club who
are in discussion for a new licence from the council. It was noted that councils
were making substantial charges for legal costs for licence renewals and CB
reminded clubs that they could charge VAT on these but not on the licence fee.
Officer's Reports
CB informed the meeting that he had been unwell since September and may have
to take it easy over the next 6 months.
SR said the "Beavers" helicopter workshop went well and will be returning
to award badges. She had nothing further to report on the Flight Challenge.
The treasurer reported that the area had approx £6k of funds in the bank.
None of the other officers had anything specific to report.
Council Agenda and Minutes
Full Council Meeting 3rd February 2007
The minutes were reviewed. The principle discussion points were:
Amendments to the handbook will be published in the BMFA News and the whole
document will be on the web site to be downloaded.
A spoken version of the handbook was requested. A copy is to be tested on a
speech program to test viability. This may well be a help for members who have
reading difficulties.
It was noted that there was still insufficient space for a full calendar of
BMFA events in the BMFA News despite agreement to include this.
Area pages on the web site was raised and KB noted that details and links were
being prepared but it will build slowly.
Undesirable postings on the forum were raised and discussed again, but no decisions
taken.
RA confirmed that he was still waiting for complete copies of the club affiliation
forms - details of examiners etc. missing.
It was confirmed that this years Flight Challenge would be at Duxford on 29
June. DLJ noted that help would be needed.
It would appear that the interest in child protection issues is waning, or perhaps
is now fully understood, Mid West has abandoned a meeting through lack of interest.
KB asked as to progress of the rewrite of the BMFA guidance notes to clubs and
CB confirmed this was on going.
It was noted that whilst on TV the use of models by Toyota and Top Gear was
not appreciated, it may give us the opportunity to discuss this with them with
a view to future sponsorship or better publicity.
DLJ noted that the Southern area managed a turn out of 60 members at a "Balsa
Brain" quiz and wondered if we should be looking to arrange such an event.
It was noted that a full copy of the Council minutes was available on the Western
Area web site. After some discussion it was agreed that these should be available
to all members. Two proposals were drafted for consideration by the next Full
Council meeting:
1. Full Council, Areas and Technical Council meeting agendas are made available
on the main BMFA web site within three days of the posting of the agenda from
the office.
2. Full Council, Areas and Technical Council provisional minutes are made available
on the main BMFA Website within five working days of being prepared, and that
they are also replaced by Ratified minutes on the Website within five working
days of being agreed by the appropriate Council.
Both were proposed by Central Cheshire, seconded by Rochdale and carried by
a unanimous vote.
Technical Council agenda 3rd March 2007
The agenda was reviewed, principle discussion points were:
Apparently Germany and France have already banned the use of diesel fuel for
smoke systems, which can cause breathing difficulties. It may be that it could
be allowed in flight, but definitely not in the hover.
Multiple use of DE licences referred to several disciplines applying separately
for the use of same airfield. The suggestion was that that one application could
be made by the BMFA for model flying generally thus providing a saving in costs.
No specific voting instructions were given to the delegate.
Area Fly-in and competitions
DLJ reported that he now had 40 requests for copies of rules for the new Eddie
Riding class. He also had a quote for £175.44 for the banners, but thought
a local firm could do better. As this was well within the budget approved he
should go ahead and order them, but review the purchase of flags and poles next
year.
A date for Shawbury is to be agreed, but will be in July period.
No date or details of the North Staffs event received yet.
KB reported that the indoor meeting went without any problems.
Proposal for ACE
Carried forward - awaiting reports - with holidays and weather no reviews conducted.
Examiners' Meeting
KB suggested that we may need more than one venue to avoid too much travel.
It was agreed to initially look for a central flying site and RA was to speak
to Ryan Lever.
Any Other Business
A school in Tunstall was planning to have a science week - could anyone help
with a flying demo. This was passed to SO to follow up.
PMAG raised the topic of the meeting room being dingy. It was agreed that it was in a good central location and very cheap. DLJ offered to speak to John O'Donnell who may know of a nearby alternative.
Whitefield raised questions on the BMFA insurance cover. It was explained that committee cover only exists if the club has affiliated and to do this all members must be BMFA members, either through the club or via another club is fine. It was also explained that the personal accident cover reduces from the age of 65 and ceases at age 80. It was also noted for reference that details of the insurance covers are explained on page 10 of the handbook.
ME asked if there was any news of Top Gun and was told nothing as yet, it may well be left for twelve months.
The meeting closed at 22.40
These minutes are provisional until approved at the next meeting