CAP 1763

[StephenB]

I can't see there is any way on earth this nonsense legislation can be "enforced" on a slope, granted for a club with a fixed location flying site and officials the authorities could inveigle the safety officer (or whatever) to monitor/enforce, but who's going to do that on a slope? A big part of the attraction of slope flying for me was the absence of rules and any recognised structure. Turn up at a suitable slope with a few like minded individuals and we were, in every sense, as free as a bird.

The UK has for some time been embarked on a path of more and more micro-managing legislation, where existing law if properly enforced would suffice, slowly squeezing the will to live out of an evermore disenfranchised populace and so turning life and work in to a joyless existence.

If I was slope soaring in the UK I'd carry on as normal, remember - "rules" are for guidance of the wise and the obedience of fools.

[chris williams]

The Time: one Sunday morning
The Place: Salisbury Police Station
A burly police sergeant addresses the troops...

' OK, people, listen up: here are today's highlights...
Be on the lookout for Russian poisoners, young men with knives, young men on drugs, rabid lefties, toxic right-wingers, parallel parkers, nosy parkers, angry Brexiteers, equally angry Remainers, strippers, flashers, bashers, trashers, fly tippers, and perfectly able people parking in disabled zones...'
'Remember... it's a dangerous world out there. Be safe'
'Oh, and one more thing...if you get a minute, pop up to White Sheet Hill and make sure the old geezers are compliant with CAP 1763

[VinceC]

... and don't forget your Tasers

[Howard wise]

What we have here is a political plaster coving a huge wound, it solves the problem for a short time, but does not solve it. By putting in a blanket ban with CAP 1763, the authorities can pull out this piece of legislation next time there is an issue to show they have done something to tackle the problem.

The only problem with this approached is the people it effects are not the ones causing the problem. We have all spent years becoming good pilots plus thousands of pounds on models and equipment, and taken tests to prove our competence. We also have an interest in full size aviation and understand the dangers of flying around full size planes, hang gliders and paragliders, often sharing sites with them.
I do get annoyed when I watch youtube videos of FPV models being flown 8km from base at 2000ft.

Legislation is required on the sales of drones on the internet which are purchased by Joe public from sites like Amazon, Ebay etc and even QVC. They are sold as easy to fly, they will fly themselves, and look at what you can do when you attach a camera. There is no mention of safety, insurance or flying in public areas. Sadly the people buying these won't know/care about CAP1763, and are more likely worry about the number likes they have on their social media accounts.

It is almost impossible legiste sales of drones on the internet, but it is easy to put a blanket ban in place which does not tackle the root of the problem.

[Howard wise]

Further thoughts for the day.
With modern technology, would it be possible for a drone to have an activation code?
If so, only these type of drones are allowed to be sold in the UK, and the activation code released when the operator has registered the drone with DfT.
Or even better proof of insurance from the BMFA also has to shown before it can be activated.
The icing on the cake would be this having to be done annually.

The blanket ban is no longer required as the drones/owners can be identified. The extra safe guards would deter Joe public from buying these devices.

I know it would be a pain in the arse for responsible operators, but would give them protection from being group in with the morons.

[MDev]

I'm sure that if a country's defense system can be hacked it would be easy for those with 'intent' to hack into a drone database? There is no such thing as security.

[Malcolm B]

For all those waiting for the PVA to set overnight some worrying TellyBox material was recently aired, highly pertinent to the issue of drones and security. Search and binge watch "Greyzone"
In the Nordic Noir genre but definitely worth a sobering watch.
Mind how you go!

[Ian Davis]

Just received this morning. Great news I think

Dear Club Secretary

New Flight Restriction Zones (FRZ) from March 13th 2019

Following last weeks announcement from the DfT, regarding the introduction of extended Flight restriction Zones around protected aerodromes we have produced some guidance and template documentation for clubs to use when seeking permission. Please see attached. The documentation is also available to download do please contact me if you need any assistance seeking permission.

With regards to the changes to the ANO we have had a reasonable amount of correspondence asking whether this applies to conventional fixed wing aircraft or just "drones" (it applies to all small unmanned aircraft) also a number have asked what the position is with flying above 400'.

So what has changed with these changes from 13th March? Well actually not too much is the answer, in fact only 2 real changes.

1, If you are operating within one of the “Flight Restriction Zones” (FRZ) you must obtain permission from the relevant ATC unit. See the map at https://dronesafe.uk/restrictions

2 If you are flying an over 7kg aircraft in controlled airspace (but outside a FRZ) you no longer need permission from ATC to fly up to 400’.

Since part way through 2018 all small unmanned aircraft, no matter whether fixed wing, powered, unpowered, helicopter or what the press refer to as a drone (multi-rotor) are restricted by the ANO to 400’, however through the efforts of the BMFA CEO an exemption was negotiated that permits BMFA members to fly above 400’ with sub 7kg conventional (fixed wing & helicopter) aircraft. This exemption is still in place and the CAA have indicated it will remain in place.

Also attached is the latest Club bulletin, which is also available to download from the portal and the main BMFA website, please distribute to your members.

Getting the most out of the Go Membership portal

There are a number of clubs who are not getting the most out of the new membership portal, when used to it's full capabilities it really can save you a substantial amount of time and make managing BMFA renewals and other aspects of club management much easier. If you have any questions or feel unsure about using the portal please get in touch and we can help you realise the benefits of using the portal.

Club Examiner Ratification

We still have quite a number of clubs who have not as yet ratified BMFA club examiners for 2019, please ensure you ratify them before the end of March. After which any examiners not ratified will lose examiner status. To retain examiner status it is a requirement that the examiner is ratified annually by at lease one club and is a current member. The ratification form was enclosed in the pack you received in November. However we do now have an electronic ratification form which is at https://e-forms.bmfa.org/club-forms/bmf ... tification you will need a password to access the form which is bMfA2019

Achievement Scheme Roadshow
Just a reminder that the ASRC are running an Achievement Scheme Roadshow on 30th March at

Oswaldtwistle Mills Business & Conference Centre

Clifton Mill

Pickup St

Accrington

BB5 0EY

If your are within travelling distance please encourage your examiners to attend or indeed anyone else in your club interested in the workings of the achievement scheme, pre-booking is requried, there is no cost to attend and lunch is provided. Members can reserve their place through the Events & Courses section of the membership portal or directly through the following link here or by emailing me directly on andy@bmfa.org

There are also a number of achievement scheme workshops planned, again please see the Events & Courses section.


That's about everything for now.

Best Regards

Andy Symons
Club Support Officer

[VinceC]

That is a step in the right direction, but still does not answer the question of slope soaring height restrictions, i.e. is the 400ft limit to remain as Above Ground Level whereas it would be more reasonable if it was Above Launch Point

The legislation also seems to be geared towards Clubs and not individuals outside Clubs

[Barry_Cole]

Vince, This from Dave Phipps may help.

We actually agreed an amendment to our original CAA permission (revised version attached) which we are working to update following the ANO changes last week, but anticipate that it will continue largely as is.

As it stands, you can operate aircraft up to 7Kg above 400ft (other than in FRZ’s) so the POL is irrelevant.

You can also operate gliders over 7Kg up to 14Kg at up to 400ft above the height of the POL. The 14Kg was an arbitrary figure from the CAA and should cover the majority, but I am trying to get them to make it 20Kg in the update.

This is the agreement after the ANO last June/July. Dave says that they are in negotiation to get the same agreement to go with the new (13th March 2019) ANO. He says they are confident it will be agreed.

This covers BMFA members (and some others), and not just club sites.

Keep smiling...



BC