Question |
Answer |
What types of models can be flown at the club |
Any,
however the runway is not very suitable for jets and the site is
not suitable for free-flight models as there is a lot of forest around. |
What are the clubs fees? |
Details on the current
membership form which can be downloaded
here |
If I join late in the
year is there a reduction in the fees? |
New members that join
late in the year are offered full membership for the following year. For
details please refer to paragraphs 1.4.1 & 1.4.1a of the club constitution
which can be found on the "Rules" page of this website. |
Can you recommend a
model/equipment to get me started in model flying? |
This will depend on the
type of models that you are interested in and we suggest you contact the
club and arrange to visit the field and talk to the members before
you spend any money, whenever possible. There are many different types of
model and costs vary significantly. |
How much does it cost to get
started in radio control model flying? |
This is a very difficult
question but if you buy new equipment you can expect to spend £200 to
£500. This can be less especially if you acquire some second hand
equipment. At the same time there is almost no real maximum. |
Do I need a licence to
operate radio control equipment? |
No, however from 2020 you
have to be registered with the CAA if oui fly a model that weighs over 250
grams. Your models must bear the registration number the CAA will allocate
you. There is a fee to register with the CAA, which is noted on the NVA
membership application form for the relevant year. |
Do I need insurance? |
Legally no but club rules
stipulate that individual members wishing to fly must also be members of
the BMFA (British Model Flying Association) and as such are automatically
insured at any site within the UK.
Non-members may only fly by invitation and under supervision of a club
member (e.g. prospective new members visiting the site) |
Do I need training to fly
radio control model aircraft? |
You can teach
yourself but the club strongly recommend against it. Although serious
accidents are rare, there is a safety issue. Many models are capable of
flying at over 80 mph and if that hits you it will not do you any good!
The club has a number of instructors
who are well experienced and very happy to teach you at no cost!
Follow their plan and you will fly safely and minimise the damage to
your models.
Some basic information can be foud in
the BMFA publication "Flying
Start". |
Are there people in the club
that can help if I have problems? |
Yes - All the club's existing
members are very willing to help new members. They are a very friendly
bunch and very enthusiastic about their model flying! |
Are members allowed guests? |
Yes - however. there is a
limit to the number of times a guest can fly at the club and they must
either be a BMFA member or be under the supervision of a responsible club
member - See the club constitution and
rules for current details. |
Are there toilets at the
flying field? |
No, but there are lots of
bushes and a large forest very near! |
Who runs the club? |
The club is run by an
committee, the members of which are elected each year at the Annual
General Meeting which normally takes place in December. The "Committee"
page lists all the current committee members, their positions on the
committee and their contact details. |
When can I fly? |
Any day of the year 10.00 am
till 8.30 pm weekdays, 10.00 am till 5.00 pm weekends. |
Who should I contact if I am
considering joining the club? |
The Secretary
or Chairman of the club however, any committee member can be contacted for
details. Alternatively, potential members are welcome to visit the field
when there is flying; noting that helicopter flyers generally meet on
Saturdays 10 till 1 pm (roughly) and fixed wing flyers on Sundays at the
same time.
It is better however, if you call
to arrange a time so you can be sure there will be someone there who
can help. You will also need to know the code for the security gate at
the entrance to the forest track. |
Do I require any special
clothing? |
As you can see from the
pictures in the gallery, few membes are fashion concious. We recommend a
peaked hat (baseball cap is ideal) and sunglasses as even on a cloudy day
looking into the sky can be tough on your eyes. In winter it can be cold
but members dress for the environment and many use fingerless gloves.
Wellies (or moon-boots) are essential when the ground gets muddy. Flying
goes on throughout the year - some put skis on their planes and have great
fun flying off snow.
In the summer it's shorts, tee-shirts, sun hats
and sun cream! (well sometimes anyway) |
Does the club have rules and
regulations? |
Yes, and they are for the
most part strictly applied simply since most are related to safety which
is never compromised but also we have to meet the requirements of our
insurers (BMFA) and the law, particularly with respect to the current
child protection laws. - Details can be found on the Constitution & Rules
page of this web site. |
Does the club have a
child protection policy? |
Yes it does and details can
be found on the Constitution & Rules page of this web site. The club does
have a welfare officer who's job is to see that the policy is applied.
Most of the committee members are CRB checked. |
Can you recommend any books
about model flying? |
If you become a new member of
the model flying association (BMFA) you will/may. receive a voucher for
'Flying Start' an invaluable easy to read guide explaining the essentials
of how to pilot a model fixed wing aircraft. This can be downloaded from
the "BMFA" page of this website. Also there are scores of books available
- please advise the webmaster if you can recommend any. |