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Flying... easing of lockdown (England)

General discussion on any topic which doesn't have a natural home on any of the other boards.
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mjcp
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Flying... easing of lockdown (England)

Post by mjcp »

As we [rumble, stagger, lurch, smoothly transition] (depending on your thoughts) towards some pivotal dates, 29th March, 12th April, 17th May etc, I have some questions as to where flying fits.

The BMFA's interpretation was, I feel, flawed in suggesting we can fly now, as the "stay home" rule is still in effect (England) and with the best will in the world, our hobby is hardly exercise!

From the 29th March, that is removed, but what impact for some of the events listed for April? They are clearly outside and often on publicly accessible land... clearly we cannot meet sociably as that could easily break the "rule of 6", but what happens if we show up somewhere and there's some other like minded aviationists (staying a wing span from one another :D )?

12th April seems irrelevant, its the pubs opening gardens and not much else relevant to us and hills.

17th May seems to be the one: events outdoors with up to 30 people. Will we need a booking system to attend an event between 17th May and 21st June?

What about a trip to Rhossili or Bwlch? It seems the regions are a little out of sync on some rules and not so clear on cross boarder travel: If wales allows us in, going from England to Wales could still break the English "no foreign travel" rules...?

More info (England)
https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... d-29-march

M
m̶j̶c̶p̶ Marc

Hanger -
Some (now) pristine models that are un-flown for a year.
simon_t
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Re: Flying... easing of lockdown (England)

Post by simon_t »

The significant change earlier in March was that ‘recreation’ was added as a reason to be able to leave home (although you still needed to stay local). So you were then allowed to fly locally on public sites (clubs were not allowed to open).
April 12th relaxes the rules on gatherings, so events such as the GPS triangle training at Buckminster near the end of April will meet the proposed post-April 12th rules. It is all there in the government guidance, but sometimes needs to be re-read a few times to get the subtleties.

Simon
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Ian Davis
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Re: Flying... easing of lockdown (England)

Post by Ian Davis »

The BMFA site is clear, with a little bit of wishful thinking:-

Outdoor sports grounds and facilities (which includes model flying club sites) remain in the list of business/services that must remain closed.

The projected date for re-opening is March 29th, and will not be subject to the gatherings limits, but should be compliant with guidance issued by national governing bodies.






Ian ;)
simon_t
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Re: Flying... easing of lockdown (England)

Post by simon_t »

The key thing for the weekend events we do (Aerotow, GPS Triangle), is that staying away from home overnight is only proposed after 12th April. This is one of the ‘subtleties’ that is no so clear on the gov pages - you have to look at the detailed stuff to see that permission.

Simon
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mjcp
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Re: Flying... easing of lockdown (England)

Post by mjcp »

ian davis wrote: 24 Mar 2021, 11:27 The BMFA site is clear, with a little bit of wishful thinking:-

Outdoor sports grounds and facilities (which includes model flying club sites) remain in the list of business/services that must remain closed.

The projected date for re-opening is March 29th, and will not be subject to the gatherings limits, but should be compliant with guidance issued by national governing bodies.

Ian ;)
"outdoor gatherings (including in private gardens) of either 6 people (the Rule of 6) or 2 households will also be allowed"

Sounds like a restriction on gatherings is still in place 29th March onwards.
m̶j̶c̶p̶ Marc

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Some (now) pristine models that are un-flown for a year.
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mjcp
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Re: Flying... easing of lockdown (England)

Post by mjcp »

simon_t wrote: 24 Mar 2021, 11:48 The key thing for the weekend events we do (Aerotow, GPS Triangle), is that staying away from home overnight is only proposed after 12th April. This is one of the ‘subtleties’ that is no so clear on the gov pages - you have to look at the detailed stuff to see that permission.

Simon
12th April, Rule of 6 still in force, but you *CAN* stay away if: "Self-contained accommodation such as campsites and holiday lets, where indoor facilities are not shared with other households, can also reopen."

M
m̶j̶c̶p̶ Marc

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Some (now) pristine models that are un-flown for a year.
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mjcp
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Re: Flying... easing of lockdown (England)

Post by mjcp »

Long and the short of it, seems like April's **organised** events are stuffed. Concur ?

M
m̶j̶c̶p̶ Marc

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Some (now) pristine models that are un-flown for a year.
simon_t
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Re: Flying... easing of lockdown (England)

Post by simon_t »

mjcp wrote: 24 Mar 2021, 12:18 Long and the short of it, seems like April's **organised** events are stuffed. Concur ?

M
No - I don’t think you are looking at the detailed rules - only the summary - dig deeper on the website. There is a statement along the lines of for organised sporting events the numbers are unlimited - the rule of 6 does not apply.

Simon
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mjcp
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Re: Flying... easing of lockdown (England)

Post by mjcp »

Here’s the act of parliament. Step 2 from 16th April. Rule of 6 applies to outdoor gatherings.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/20 ... le/2/made

Participation in gatherings outdoors
2.—(1) No person may participate in a gathering in the Step 2 area which—

(a)consists of more than six people, and
(b)takes place outdoors.

(2) Sub-paragraph (1) does not apply if any of the exceptions set out in paragraph (4) or (6) apply.


Step 3 as above but allows 30 to meet outside.
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/20 ... le/3/made


The sports exception you mention is there as follows (from para 6 mentioned above):

Exception 3: outdoor sports
(5) Exception 3 is that the person concerned is participating in an outdoor sports gathering.

So, we might get away with an organised, timed and scored f[x]f comp, but unlikely to get a typical scale meet interpreted as a sports event, though to be fair, both are lacking in several of the requirements to be “sports” in the definition used by sport England to argue bridge is not, but darts is!

M
m̶j̶c̶p̶ Marc

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Some (now) pristine models that are un-flown for a year.
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Peter Balcombe
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Re: Flying... easing of lockdown (England)

Post by Peter Balcombe »

Marc,
At the end of the day, it all depends what the BMFA/LMA says is allowable at each stage as it is usually their insurance that we fly under.
Therefore the only sure way is to wait & see as & when the guidelines change.
Peter
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