Scale Soaring UK

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 )?

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

M

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

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

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

Limited flying has resumed uphere in the frozen north. Here is a statement from our national body the SAA.

"SAA statement from 12th March 2021
Due to the slight easing of COVID restrictions by the Scottish Government, the SAA are delighted to announce that as from Friday 12th March, R/C flying in groups of no more than 15 may recommence on the proviso that the below document entitled: COVID Sports Specific Guidelines for the Scottish Aeromodellers Association Rev 7-dd446 is fully adhered to. This is in draft form at the moment but I am happy that if the guidelines detailed in the document are followed, then we will be good to go. Any further relaxation of the restrictions will be communicated in the same way.
Enjoy and Happy Landings

Steve McDonald. SAA Chairman.

I generaly fly alone or with one other soarer on my local hill. There is plenty of room for a further 13 guys if you wish to travel north.
Brian.

Peter Balcombe wrote: ↑24 Mar 2021, 21:45 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

Peter, the BMFA has already clarified that the insurance is still valid regardless of the COVID regulations, so although you may be breaking Covid rules by going flying, meeting more than 6,etc if you were make a claim on the insurance it would be covered

FrankS wrote: ↑26 Mar 2021, 14:55

Peter Balcombe wrote: ↑24 Mar 2021, 21:45 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

Peter, the BMFA has already clarified that the insurance is still valid regardless of the COVID regulations, so although you may be breaking Covid rules by going flying, meeting more than 6,etc if you were make a claim on the insurance it would be covered

Thanks Frank. I had forgotten that

It's very clear, rule of 6 does not apply, as we are a sport.



BC

Barry_Cole wrote: ↑26 Mar 2021, 20:00 It's very clear, rule of 6 does not apply, as we are a sport.



BC

But still socially distance!