WHY JOIN

Most people find learning to fly a model aircraft a very challenging (yet thoroughly enjoyable) experience. Even people who have previous experience of Radio Controlled models find the “third dimension” of flight adds a whole new aspect and challenge to their hobby.

To successfully learn to fly model aircraft you will require help and instruction. The amount of help and instruction required may vary from person to person, but to simply try and go it alone will end in disappointment or potential disaster. A model aircraft is most certainly not a toy and has the potential to cause serious injury and even fatality should a model strike a person. It is therefore extremely important to operate model aircraft safely and responsibly and have the required skills to be in full control of the model at all times, something which can only be achieved with tuition and practice.

The B.V.R.M.C. is affiliated to the British Model Flying Association (B.M.F.A.). The B.M.F.A. is the body delegated by the Royal Aero Club to be responsible for all aspects of model flying in Great Britain. It is also recognised as the sole representative organisation for the sport in the U.K. by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) which is the world wide governing body for all forms of sporting aviation, including model flying. The B.M.F.A. provides us with our 3rd Party Insurance Cover. Accidents can happen and the event of a model crashing into someone else’s property or in the worst case scenario a person, we require suitable insurance cover. The cover, which the B.M.F.A. provides us with, has a Limit of Indemnity of £5,000,000. When you join our club as a full member, your yearly subscription includes your B.M.F.A. membership. We deal with the administration of your membership with the B.M.F.A. and they forward your Certificate of Insurance to the clubs Treasurer, who in turn will post this on to you. To find out more information about the B.M.F.A. and what they do for us as members, you can visit their website at www.bmfa.org

A model aeroplane or helicopter is a miniature version of a full-size aircraft and uses the same primary controls and principles to fly. As such you will need to learn new skills to fly one. By joining our club, you are joining a membership of approximately 150 like-minded modellers. We have many members who are willing to spend their spare time offering advice and helping others to learn to fly as well as enjoying the hobby to their own ends. Whilst our members are not under any actual obligation to help anyone, you may be surprised at just how many are willing to assist you! We all had to learn once and we hope that members always remember the assistance they were given when learning, and offer that to others.

This help can begin even before you have purchased your model, with some sound advice as to what type of model you should be looking to purchase. There is some further information in respect of this on the “Beginners” section of our site.

When you have purchased your model and are constructing it / installing your engine and radio gear and you hit a problem and need advice, you can bring the model to the flying field and get the required help.

Furthermore, when you believe that the model is ready to fly, again members will check your model over to ensure that it has been built correctly and that there are no faults with the installation of the engine and radio gear. Then the model can be test flown and trimmed, ready for your tuition to begin.

The club owns several transmitters (held by dedicated members) that can be utilised as a control system known as a “Buddy Box”. Put simply this is where the Instructor and Pupil each hold a transmitter, linked by a “Buddy Lead”. This arrangement is somewhat similar to a driving instructor’s dual control. It allows the instructor to assign control to the pupil’s transmitter by a switch on his transmitter. By releasing the switch the instructor instantly regains control of the model. These transmitters can be linked to your own transmitter and provide Dual Control. All of the radio equipment owned by the club is made by Futaba. As such our own “Buddy Box” transmitters will only be compatible if your radio gear is also made by Futaba. This doesn’t mean that you can’t buy a different make of Radio Gear, only that the club owned transmitters wouldn’t be compatible.

Even if the club’s transmitters are not available or not compatible with your own Radio Gear, this won’t prevent you from learning. It just means that your instructor will have to pass you the transmitter and re-take it from you should you get into difficulty. It is therefore very important to instantly offer the transmitter back to the instructor as soon as they request it.

Please note that whilst members who help you learn to fly will do their very best to prevent your model from being damaged, they can in no way be held financially responsible for any damage that may occur to your equipment. They are after all doing their best to help you out of good will.

Help within the hobby / sport does not end with assistance in learning to fly. With such a large membership and many experienced modellers in our club, there is always someone who can help with advice or practical help on virtually any problem you may need assistance with. Members of our club are not only involved in Radio Controlled powered model flying, but many enjoy Slope Soaring (Gliding from hills / cliffs). Many are members of other clubs for RC Cars or RC Boats. We also have members who enjoy Control Line flying or Free Flight. Several members are also excellent model engineers, which is very useful in obtaining that elusive item that no one seems to stock!

One of the best reasons to join a club is the social aspect. We hope that you will meet and make new friends within the club. We hold our meetings on the second Thursday of every month to discuss any matters arising (a good excuse to have a drink and a chat with your mates!). Many a summer flying session is ended with a “swift half” down the road!