Ivel Model Aircraft Club
Model Aircraft Flying near Bedford UK
Our members are mainly from Bedfordshire and West Cambridgeshire
Model Aircraft Flying near Bedford UK
Our members are mainly from Bedfordshire and West Cambridgeshire
Latest news: (Updated 17 Sep 19)
Chris Bashford RIP
Chris passed away on 5 Sep 19. He was a founder member of Ivel MAC and was a member of the club committee and also one of the club trustees.
He was a previous chairman, he produced the Newsletter, and was the self appointed historian for the club and had newsletters and other paperwork dating back to the early day of the club. He will be missed by many of the members.
Funeral arrangements for Chris are:
Fri 20 Sep 19 at 3pm
in St John’s Church, Moggerhanger.
No flowers.
Other news
The heats for the Ivel MAC 2019 Racing Event have now been completed (15 Sep 19) and we move on to the Knock-out phase, which will be run on a weekend, as soon as all competitors are available, and suitable weather is forecast.
The recent Scale Day was deemed a success by those who managed to attend. Although the event was held on August Bank Holiday Monday there was a good turnout by members who had escaped the shackles of family. The weather was good (almost too hot). The pit area was filled with plenty of models and most of them flew.
See more pics in the newsletter:
www.ivelmac.co.uk/Newslet%20Sep%202019.pdf
The annual Barbecue held at Wilden, in July, was well attended by members and families alike. About 35 people attended the event, and as far as we know all enjoyed it, and £60 was raised for club funds. Here is a link to a YouTube video taken by Derek at the Barbeque:
https://youtu.be/IR35KAasnOk
1. Check the BMFA website for all the latest news
On the LATEST News section, there is a lot of information listed there about meetings etc, but not all is useful or new or has useful conclusions. However, it serves to keep us informed.
(Latest update 11 Sep 19.)
BMFA.org
2. Model registration - proposed charge announced 26 April 2019
bmfa.org/News/News-Page/ArticleID/2583/CAA-proposes-%C2%A316-50-annual-registration-charge-Act-Now
This advisory from the BMFA is for:
a. CAA proposed charge of £16.50 per person per year, for registration of models above 250gms (very lightweight /indoor).
b. The opening date for registration (online only) is expected to be 1 Oct 19.
c. Mandatory registration from 30 Nov 19.
3. Restrictions announced 20 February 2019
For all Drone/UAS (affecting all our model types) flying at or near listed airfields operating full size aircraft.
These regulations are coming into effect wef: 13 March 2019
Airfield (full size) restrictions:
On 13 March 2019 the drone flight restriction zone (FRZ) around airports and airfields changes.
The government has introduced a new rule stating that the 1km restriction from the airfield boundary is replaced by a restriction using the airfield’s existing aerodrome traffic zone, which has a radius of either, 2, or 2.5 nautical miles and then, five kilometres by one kilometre zones starting from the point known as the ‘threshold’ at the end of each of the airfield’s runways. Both zones extend upwards to a height of 2,000 feet above the airfield.
It is illegal to fly any drone at any time within these restricted zones unless you have permission from air traffic control at the airport or, if air traffic control is not operational, from the airport itself.
A link to a map showing each UK airfield’s FRZ restriction is available at:
dronesafe.uk/restrictions/
Also, the map can be added to Google maps on your PC/Phone/Mobile Device, as a layer extension.
www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?hl=en&mid=1z96X9CEZJzbdN8oIoDueKgyZ1rhBp2qj&ll=55.21850437057059%2C-3.171403000000055&z=5
Then it can be found on your PC/Phone/Mobile Device, at:
Menu:
Your Places:
Maps:
FRZ Runway Extension Zones:
NOTAM information can be found at:
notaminfo.com/ukmap
scroll down to the map which you can then scroll/move around the map, and zoom in and out,
and it is clickable on zones for additional information.
You may notice that we do have a NOTAM in place for Wilden and our Macca site.
There is also a useful app for hand held devices that you may find useful showing FRZs and NOTAMs (Notice to Airmen)
NATS Drone Assist it is available in the IOS App Store or via Google Play
The nearest airfield to both our flying sites is Bedford FRZ (Thurleigh as was)
Activity type: UAS Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ)
An area 2 Nautical Miles (= 2.3 Statute miles) radius centred on the Mid Point of the Longest Runway being:
EGBF runway 08/26
Position.
52 degrees 13 minutes 57.3 seconds N
000 degrees 26 minutes 43.9 seconds W
(Ordnance Survey Grid Ref: TL 06399 60517)
(this is the middle of the remaining short part of the runway)
Upper limit: 2000FT - Feet
Lower limit: SFC - measured from the surface of the Earth
Contact: 01234-332400
******* Our flying sites are NOT affected by this change. *******
For the latest news (notwithstanding the info above) about information about what may happen to control our hobby/sport can be found in on the BMFA website.
10 Apr 19 bmfa.org/News/News-Page/ArticleID/2580/CAA-issue-updates-to-400ft-Permission-and-FPV-Exemption
Following the recent changes to the Air Navigation Order (ANO) which introduced Flight Restriction Zones (FRZ) around protected Aerodromes (with effect from the 13th March), the CAA have now updated the PERMISSION for Association members to continue operating ‘conventional’ model aircraft (excluding multi-rotors) weighing less than 7Kg at heights exceeding 400ft.
The full text of this PERMISSION can be viewed at:
bmfa.org/DesktopModules/Bring2mind/DMX/Download.aspx?Command=Core_Download&EntryId=3135&language=en-GB&PortalId=0&TabId=1506
4. CAPS WITH IVELMAC LOGO
Now available for £10 each, contact Richard Warner.
5. Turbine heli videos 22 Sep 18
Take-off: youtu.be/LbIQ04hcpvM
Landing: youtu.be/Q0RNntpo7k0
6. GATE Reminder
If you arrive at either field 1st and unlock the gate, please leave the gate open but the padlock LOCKED and attached to the chain with the combination numbers rotated so that passers-by cannot discover the combination.
At Wilden there are 2 padlocks now, one for use by Wilden Cricket Club members (Brass Lock) and another for Ivel MAC members.
The person who leaves last is ensure the gate is securely locked with the chain and padlock.
6. Wilden
If conditions are muddy, please park between the Gate and around the Nets (according to wind direction) to avoid making muddy tracks near the pavilion.
7. Alternate Site
At the white marker, please wait to be waved across to the parking area.
Please keep the speed below 10mph.
Please drive to the end of the track before heading for the parking area.
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