The FFTC met on 2 February 2011 and the following are notes on items of interest:
Championship changes
1. The Senior Championshipis now known as the Free Flight Championship.
2. In 2011 the junior event for the Heather Cup will be run at the Nationals as usual, and points will also be collected for a season long Junior Championship as specified in the 2011 rule book. A suitable award for the 2011 championship winner will be made by the FFTC.
3. It is planned that in 2012 the Heather Cup will be awarded for the Junior Championship subject to ratification by Council.
Rule Changes for 2011
Please note that there is an omission in the
2011 Free Flight Rule Book. The first lines of rule 3.7.4 (underlined
below) were omitted from the 2010 Rule book and the mistake carried
over to the 2011 Rule Book. The correct rule is detailed below:
Rule 3.7.4 Electric Class (BMFA Electric)
1. Motor limitations:
For Brushed motors…….. maximum total motor(s) size of '600'
For Brushless motors…… maximum total bare motor(s) weight 100 grams
items (b), (c) and (d) are correct as published.
FFTC Website
The new FFTC website is now up and running. All earlier versions have been removed.
Safety
Free Flight Safety Guidelines will be added to the FFTC Website and
passed to Chris Bromley with the proposal that they should be included
in the BMFA Handbook. For your information the latest draft of the
guidelines is printed below.
Pages 17 to 52 in the BMFA Members Handbook cover all the safety aspects of model flying but obviously not all items will relate to Free Flight
FREE FLIGHT SAFTY AND FLYING FIELD BEHAVIOUR
It is every member's responsibility to ensure that they personally fly
in a safe manner and that they also ensure their fellow members fly
safely.
YOUR FITNESS TO FLY
Ensure you are sufficiently physically fit to fly Free
Flight models, ensure you take care of yourself and are equipped with
any necessary medication.
Do not fly if you are under the influence of alcohol, it is unsafe and may invalidate your insurance cover.
COMMUNICATION
When retrieving models always carry a mobile phone and ensure you have the CDs number.
Display your mobile phone number in a prominent place on the dashboard
of your car so that you can be contacted if you cause concern by
failing to return to your car or in case of an emergency
SAFETY
Read the BMFA Safety Regulations and also be aware of any local flying field safety and general regulations.
Treat other flying field users with the respect you would expect from
them, for example avoid retrieving through R/C and C/L flight lines.
Most accidents are caused through flying too close to parked cars and
the majority of accident claims are for damage to cars therefore always
avoid flying close to parked cars, 100 meters is a recommended safe
distance.
Test running motors should be kept to an absolute minimum, do not under any circumstances break in motors in at contests.
Ensure all your equipment is well maintained, i.e. Bicycles, rubber
winders, winding stooges, towlines, starter boxes etc. Do not fly
models that are unsound and under no circumstances run a motor with a
damaged propeller.
CDs and flyers should ensure as far as possible that models are
launched from an area such that overflying houses, major roads,
railways or other similar hazards is reduced to a minimum.
Always launch models, particularly powered models ones, well away from and downwind of any spectators or vehicles.
When a fuse type dethermaliser is used a snuffer tube must be used.
Always check flying surfaces and other systems thoroughly before flying.
All glider launches should be undertaken with the towline detached from the hand winch
FLYING FIELD BEHAVIOUR
Motorised Retrieval Check with the CD that
motorised retrieval is acceptable on the site, remember that any
vehicle used must have a current MOT, Tax and insurance, crash helmets
should be worn when riding motorcycles, MOD sites have a 20 MPH speed
limit, ensure you keep to this.
Keep to the perimeter track and avoid using runways
Note Motorised Retrieval is only allowed when the model has landed.
Avoid other users where possible and do not drive through any R/C or C/L flight areas.
Do not climb any fences especially those surrounding Military Installations.
OFF FIELD
Free Flight takes place in the country side so please make sure you take steps to minimise your impact on the surroundings
Model retrieval on farm land will vary from venue to venue; local
land owners at regular field such as Barkston Heath have good
relationships with Model Flyers and receive regular liaison visits, it
is best to check with the CD for any special requirements such as
avoiding particular crops or game birds. If in doubt always seek advice
from the CD or Farmer.
It is normal courtesy, if practical, to request permission of farmers
to enter their property, particularly if this is likely to occur again.
If entering farmland do so by the normal points, gates or tracks if at
all possible. Leave gates as you find them. Always walk the fields by
the tractor lines. Walk, do not run, over or around fields, even though you may be on a track,
because this can often be misconstrued at a distance by the farmer, or
others. Never ride bicycles or motor cycles on farm land.
Always work around the outside of the field and approach the model by
the route likely to cause no damage to crops, even if this is the
longest route and takes more time. You must not walk a compass line
through cropped field under any circumstances. Use reference points
around the outside to maintain your compass line. Do not attempt to
retrieve models from advanced crops unless you have an accurate line
and have the farmer's permission to do so.
Do not enter fields in large groups unless the farmer approves a mass, controlled search.
Leave bicycles in an orderly way where they
cannot be regarded as dangerous. If a model (even if not yours) is
found close to a road, make it secure and protect it from the public as
far as possible.
If questioned outside the airfield about your
reason for being there and on whose authority, answer politely at all
times and, if in doubt, refer to the Contest Director. Carry your BMFA
card or other means of identification.
Your co-operation with the above is imperative
because a great deal of time has been spent obtaining the farmers
confidence and trust. Please try to correct the actions of other
modellers if they are not in accordance with these procedures.