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Unadopted Minutes of the BMFA North Eastern Area Committee Meeting held on 2nd June 2010 at the Shoulder of Mutton, Shiney Row, Co. Durham
OFFICERS PRESENT
Y Chairman: Terry Bailey (Fellow) N P.R.O.: Tom Jones (Teesside MFC)
Y Vice Chairman: Gary Armstrong (Newcastle MFA.) N Delegate: Tom Jones (Teesside MFC)
Y Secretary: Peter Watson (Washington MFC) N Education Co-ordinator: Position vacant
Y Treasurer: Tom Walker (Sunderland & DMAC) Y Competition Secretary: Brian Martin (Tynemouth MAC.)
Y Achievement Scheme Co-ordinator: Gary Armstrong (Newcastle MFA)
CLUBS REPRESENTED (eligible to vote)
Newcastle MFA, Sunderland, Gateshead, Chester le Street, Novocastria, Cleveland Indoor; Boldon, Old Fellows, Tynemouth, Shildon, Peterlee, Washington, Guisborough.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
PRO.
CORRECTIONS TO PREVIOUS MINUTES
None
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
PROPOSED: Stuart Shorthouse (Shildon)
SECONDED: Allan Weighell (Cleveland Indoor, Fellow)
MATTERS ARISING
Martin Johnson (Old Fellows) asked about food passes for competition fliers at the Nationals. In the Delegate’s absence, this matter remains in abeyance.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Letter received from Seaham Air Scouts. As we currently have no Education Coordinator, Allan Weighell (Fellow) has been asked to liaise with them.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
Secretary apologised for the late delivery of April and May hard copy minutes to delegates. Apparently the copies sent to Leicester were not received until 28th May, despite being posted on 18th April and 17th May receptively. Secretary was not advised until 5:45 pm today. As there are only 4 delegates receiving hard copy, these were printed off and handed out before the meeting. Linda Harding, Leicester Office Manager has agreed to accept email copies of the minutes, which will save time and, as an acknowledgement is sent by Leicester, Secretary will know that they have been received.
TREASURER’S REPORT
None
EDUCATION CO-ORDINATORS REPORT
Position vacant.
Chairman has received a letter from a local scout group asking about
PRO’S REPORT
None.
DELEGATE’S REPORT
8th May 2010 Full Council Report
Chairman reported the death of Jim Morley (Helicopter fame) in early April.
2010 Members handbook to come out with June BMFA News.
C Bromley still poorly, he has low-level treatable cancer. Chemo to follow.
An Electric Safety Advisory group has been formed to help with any electric light problems after the demise of BEFA.
F3D pylon record of 56.88 sees (Jones & Jones) rescinded after acceptance at Jan
council, this was due to incorrect procedures at the end of comp. Course should have
been measured at start and finish of event, Tech Council voted unanimously for the Records Officer to verify records & procedure through rulebook in future.
Flight Challenge 95% certain to be at Finningley in Oct/Nov. No sponsors as yet.
Hon Treas. reports year-end (2009/10) now finalised showing a modest surplus.
Eric Baddelley to step down as a V.P. due to poor health. Air Commodore Bob McAlpine, RAFMAA President, has been offered a Hon V.Presidency
To mark 20 years of business with the BMFA, Perkins/Slade they have offered a
trophy (P/S "Pilot of the Year"). I would hope that the nominations for this would be
aimed at TC's and Areas. No Terms of Reference as yet.
Ill health has forced Roger Bellingham to step down as flying site advisory officer; a
new incumbent is sought from within. (In house).
The constitution for the (SW) Cornwall/Devon was unanimously accepted. They've agreed an acceptable person to represent both Areas. Area Quorums will be smaller.
F/W electric powered altitude record of 2947ft was ratified. Pilot Simon Wright, is
already planning other attempts.
University Challenge at Elvington 13/14 June. BAe Systems may sponsor.
Jet Pilots Code of practise. Arguing about "should and musts", Jo Halman summed
this up best when she said musts' are mandatory and shoulds' are optional. To me the BMFA CoP looked to protect the operator, and the manufacturer's CoP seemed to protect the product. (Placement of fuel cut-out). This was rejected.
Scale Tech Council intends developing rules for RC Indoor Scale. Has been demoed.
.
Report by Allen Weighell (Fellow), Delegate Alternate.
FLYING DISCIPLINE OFFICERS REPORT
FREE FLIGHT results in May
Stonehenge Cup 15/16th May: Peter Martin 1st in F1B; Brian martin 3rd in F1B; Alan Jack 3rd in F1C.
FF Nationals 29th/31st May. Allan Brown 1st in Cranfield Classic; Michael Quin 1st in Slow Open Power; Terry Aydon 2nd in Bowden Trophy; Brian Martin 3rd in Senior Rubber.
Competitions: 5th area centralised 13th June;
FAI Gala, Barkston 26th June;
Scottish Nationals, Newbiggin 26/27 June;
Tynemouth Mini Rally, Newcastle Town Moor, 1st August.
The Cranfield Classic event at the FF Nationals, organised and run by NE Area members, was very well received. There were 20 entries, 13 flew in less than perfect conditions. Competitors asked if the event would be held again next year & it was considered that this could be done as an “area event”. Martin Johnson (Old Fellows) proposed that the area seek to organise an event for next year. Gary Armstrong (Newcastle MFA) seconded the proposal, which was passed unanimously.
Mike Woodhouse, FF Technical Committee Chairman has indicated that he will not stand for re-election, as he feels that the duties of the post encroach onto his modelling activities.
RADIO CONTROL2nd Centralised competition at Barkston Heath on 16th May, 5th place Kevin Caton
Belgian International F3A competition held at Civry on 22/23^ May Kevin Caton 13th.
Domestic competitions in June
Festival of Flight at Barkston Heath on 6th,
Deeside on 13th
3rd BMFA Centralised on 20th at Ashbourne.
CONTROL LINE
2nd F2D centralised 9th May, Albemarle. Jamie Griffin (junior) 2nd.
Dave Holmes, flying with Clive Sharpe won F2CN at Barton on 31st May. They set a new British heat record for F2CN in their first heat, beat this time in their second heat, but the record was finally taken by Chris Barker and John Cuthbert.
The Boldon Carrier deck Event is to be held on 3rd/4th July.
INDOOR
There will be no indoor flying at Churchill in August. Meetings commence again in September. BMFA have been offered the use of Boulby Mine site for the indoor Nationals in September. However, due to security, only preregistered pilots may attend. There is no provision for spectators.
Cleveland Potash Club & Kirkleatham MFC, The Membership Sec has agreed to place
these 2 clubs in the NE Area, (the post code had placed them in the Northern Area) because of the efforts of Allan Weighell (Fellow) in introducing the clubs to the BMFA.. Both clubs agree..
Seaham Air Scouts have been contacted and a meeting is to be arranged. Hoping to have them affiliate as a youth group.
A meeting has been arranged with Gosforth Rocketry Association.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
As decided at the last area meeting, Jamie Griffin is to be put forward for an award by the BMFA. Chairman and Secretary are to prepare the application and forward it to Leicester Office.
Chairman reported that, following a request by the 2009 Bowden Trophy winner, Terry Aydon, a letter was sent to David Phipps, BMFA CEO, complaining about the handling of the Trophy renovation by the Records Officer. A reply has been received, which has been shown to Terry Aydon, who is satisfied with the action taken. Ken Roper (Washington) asked if the letters could be read to the meeting. Chairman agreed and read out both letters.. Lez Scurfield (Novocastrians) asked if the trophy had now been returned to Terry Aydon. Chairman replied that this was returned, by David Phipps, to Terry at the FF Nationals. THIS MATTER IS NOW CLOSED.
Ron Aitchison (Chester le Street member) demonstrated the frequency control method used by Chester le Street, now modified for use with 2.4 GHz equipment. This modification was found to be necessary, to allow 2.4 GHz Txs not to be impounded. The system is on trial and Ron will make one for the area as soon as the trial is completed. Until then clubs are asked to use whatever method they use at present,
A discussion followed on whether 35MHz equipment should be operated at 10 or 20 KHz spacing at Albemarle. Currently clubs use the procedure used on their club field. At present there are some clubs operating at 10 KHz spacing and some at 20 KHz spacing. Each group appeared to operate without problems and consider their method to be “the best”. Gary Armstrong (Newcastle MFA), an aerobatic competition flier argued that 20 KHz spacing was the method used for BMFA competitions, stating that not all receivers are capable of operation at 10 KHz. Main objections to 20 KHz spacing was the requirement to allocate 3 frequencies to a flier to maintain spacing. Even though the use of 2.4GHz equipment is now widespread, it was considered by many that, as not all club fliers choose to carry alternative crystals, they could still have a long wait for a slot if their chosen frequency was “popular” or adjacent to other popular frequencies.
Gary Armstrong proposed that 20 KHz spacing be used at Albemarle, seconded Richard Smith (Gateshead). Voting 5 for; 5 against; 3 abstentions. Chairman cast against the proposal. Motion not carried.
Jack Patterson (Sunderland) proposed that 10 KHz spacing be used at Albemarle, seconded John French (Chester le Street). Voting 6 for; 6 against; 1 abstention. Chairman cast for the proposal. Motion carried.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING CLOSED AT 9:40 pm THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE ON WEDNESDAY, 7th JULY 2010, AT THE SHOULDER OF MUTTON, SHINEY ROW TIME 8:00 P.M
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