It is clear that a lot of clubs and members are not really up to speed with the idea of BMFA areas or the role of club delegates so this article hopes to clarify this and encourage you to take interest and ensure that your club has a voice in the future of the hobby.
So what does the area do?
Well as the main body supporting the aeromodelling hobby in the UK it is essential that the BMFA needs a two way communication path between itself and the average modeller. Whilst it can send out updates via emails or the BMFA News to individual members, this is one way communication and there is little feedback, especially on topics not covered. Since there are over 750 clubs representing over 36,000 modellers in the UK, direct two way communication is not practical and this is where areas come in, providing the link between the members in each area and the central BMFA organisation.
There are currently 15 areas – 14 defined geographically and the 15th being the RAFMAA – each of which is represented by the Area Delegate on the Areas Council.
Each of these areas is run by a committee which comprises delegates from all clubs in the area.
The committee meets several times a year and it is at these meetings that information is exchanged up and down. Information up is passed via the area delegate to the Areas Council, and depending on the topic, on to the BMFA board. In the same way information is passed down from the BMFA to the clubs and their members via the delegates.
In this way all clubs can take an active role in controlling how the hobby develops in the UK but this is dependant on information being passed from the delegate to the club members, and from the members to the area via the delegate. If this does not happen then your club does not have a voice in deciding what happens with the hobby.
As well as providing the information pathway areas also help in other ways –
- providing funding for clubs in promoting the hobby, maybe helping run public events to advertise the hobby, or running projects with schools and youth organisations to introduce youngsters to the hobby
- providing support for the achievment scheme through helping club members find instructors or examiners close to them
- monitoring the standard of instructors and examiners and encouraging more modellers to take up these roles
- organising area events such as fly ins
- representing the area at public events so as full size flying displays or at museums
- provides advertising for club events via its website
What does the BMFA do for me?
Often the BMFA is seen purely as a provider of insurance, or a means of access to a model club, and modellers may be unaware of just how much the BMFA does.
As background, as we all know, the British Model Flying Association (BMFA), represents all aeromodellers in various areas –
- liaising with many organisations to promote the interests of the hobby:
- Aviation & Regulatory Authorities
- Civil Aviation Authority (CAA): ongoing discussion on flight regulations
- National Air Traffic Services (NATS): consulting on airspace management, permanent model flying sites, and flight restriction zones.
- OFCOM: co-ordination of radio frequency allocations
- European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA): Representation of recreational flyers at the European level
- Government Departments
- Department for Transport (DfT): liasing on national transportation policies and drone integration laws
- Ministry of Defence (MOD) & Home Office: liaising on national operational and land-use agreements
- Sporting & Governing Bodies
- The Royal Aero Club (RAeC): Operates under mandate from the RAeC as the goeverning body for model flying
- Sport UK / UK Sports Councils: Cordinates on the status of model flying as an officially recognized sport and recreational activity
- Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) & CIAM: Represents the UK in the international arena, coordinating world championship events and rules
- Partner Associations & Landowners
- Associated Model Bodies: Working with organisations such as the LMA and SAA
- National Trust: Liaison on access and flying access on various properties
- Aviation & Regulatory Authorities
- organisation of competitive aeromodelling both nationally and internationally
- maintainence of flying standards through the Achievment Scheme
- links model flying clubs across the UK
- provides comprehensive insurance for modellers and clubs
- provides publications and advice to all modellers
As you can see the BMFA is a far reaching organisation and without it we would all be suffering some of the draconian measures we see in other countries.
So both it, and the areas, need your support and if your delegate is not giving you the information from the area or taking your suggestions back to the area council then please discuss with your committee.
