FAI Flying in the UK

A conference to discuss the future of FAI flying in the UK will be held on Sunday 28th March 2010. The venue will be the Gliding Centre at Husbands Bosworth.

The purpose of the Conference

The organisation of FAI flying in the UK – F1A, F1B, F1C, F1E & F1Q

The venue

This is the same place at which we held the 2009 free flight conference

 Why is the meeting required?

Currently entries in FAI events and in particular team selection meetings have fallen to an all time low.

What can we do to revitalise the participation in the FAI classes?

Chair

The session will be chaired jointly, by Mike Woodhouse (Chairman of FFTC) and John Carter who leads for FAI within the FFTC

Who should attend?

Any flyer with an interest in FAI flying and all that this means should be there. There is no charge to attend the meeting and the buffet lunch is also free of charge.

Presentations

In order to get an overall feel of what is happening and where we are heading we need to have an overview of where we think we are. To this end there will be presentations from:

·       The FFTC have invited a key representative of each branch of FAI. - F1A, B, C, E and a Q flyer. To give their thought, views, ideas and comments etc.

·       In addition there will be floor spot for individuals who wish to make a point or who have an idea. Please get in touch to book a spot.

The issues for discussion to include:

1. Team Selection procedures

The past few years have revealed some problems within the selection process. The system that we use, with a few changes, has been in use for a number of years.

Problems:

·       Lack of entries

·       No longer seen as important when the Championships should be the pinnacle of achievement.

·       The cost of running the events

·       CDs to run the events

·       Juniors

Requirements

·     How do we get more entries?

·     Do we change the selection process? If so to what basis?

2. The March of technology

The FFTC, and others, have seen the “march of technology” as being an issue that affects the level of participation. To this end the FFTC have lobbied CIAM and have now submitted a proposal to the International body. This proposal is for lower technology alternatives.

There will be a presentation with respect to the thinking behind these ideas:

·       The initial paper

·       The FFTC proposal to CIAM.

3. Development

Development themes:

·       Team Members – practice for current, future and aspiring team members

·       Team Management – We need to develop management to ensure that we are in the best position at the champs.

·       Models – performance improvement

·       Personal preparation - head space and fitness

The objective

What we need is ideas that will help us plan ahead with respect to FAI flying within the UK. So please attend and contribute. If you have a view you wish to express be there and remember it is free of charge.

The agenda

A detailed agenda will be published prior to the event.

What do you need to do?

·       Let us know if you are coming

·       Let us know if you want a floor spot or if you have any specific issues that you believe we should add to the agenda

The contact:

Mr J E Carter, Petite Maison, 45 Grindley Lane, Meir Heath,

Stoke on Trent, Staffs, ST3 7LN

Tel: 0044 1782 398816

E-mail: carterbuild@yahoo.co.uk