Good evening All,

I hope you are all well. I have a few small updates regarding Indoor flying, an update about St. Agnes Head flying ban and SWA Achievement Day.

Indoor flying has been extended till the end of March. However, the Sports Hall will not be available on Tuesday 14th, March due to a school event. Starting hours remain the same.

St. Agnes Head flying ban update from Chris Morton, BMFA South West Area Secretary:

" We have a welcome sign of progress in that the local National Trust Office has offered to meet with our CSSA representatives and myself as Area Secretary to discuss the way forward on model flying at St Agnes. At the moment, this is likely to be a very tentative step with an uncertain outcomes. One thing sure to bring this progress to a halt is if BMFA members are reported to be flying there. It is absolutely essential that BMFA members continue to adhere to the ban on flying. We do not wish to upset negotiations again. The NT representative included the following advisory wording in a letter of invite:

“It is also important to note that birds are nesting in the area, including schedule 1 birds and that disturbance of birds is a criminal offence under the wildlife and countryside act and can impose up to an unlimited fine, or 6 months in prison in the case of Schedule 1 birds.”

Not only do individuals flying at St Agnes risk prosecution, but they also open up the NT itself to the risk of prosecution for allowing second parties to operate in an SSSI without the consent of Natural England. Whether or not such a prosecution would occur, or indeed whether or not our activities disturb wildlife, are moot points. Presently model flying at St Agnes is banned by law. No BMFA member should fly at St Agnes for the time being. Any Member reported to be flying there will most likely bring discussions to a halt again.

Please will you bring this message to the attention of all of your Club Members and anyone else you think may fly at St Agnes but whom you think it may not have reached.

I will provide an update when more is known.

And an update regarding Achievement Day for the South West from Christopher Morton, BMFA South West Area Secretary:

" I am writing to confirm another Achievement Day will be held this year, run along the same lines as last year’s extremely successful event. This will take place on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd July. The Okehampton Club will again be our host for the Day, while the BMFA’s Achievement Scheme Controller (Duncan McClure) has kindly agreed to attend and lead testing and training activities.

This Achievement Day will provide an opportunity for aspiring pilots to hone their skills and for those ready to take tests for Certificates to do so. This applies to all disciplines. Above all, it is meant to be a relaxed day, with a social element, where we less experienced pilots can learn from some of the more experts among us. In particular, this is an ideal opportunity for any pilot seeking to be an Examiner to gain first-hand experience and where qualified to be assessed. It is also an excellent opportunity for Club Examiners to "mingle", share experiences and to participate directly in events.

Camping facilities and refreshments will be available. Joining and registration information will be issued a little nearer the time.

I would be grateful if you would circulate this message around your Clubs, ensuring it gets to the grassroots membership and the hierarchy. "

Daniel Mikolajczyk

Acting Club Secretary