Do you know how the BMFA works? Contributors only!

Hi Alan in 1974 i qualified for the British team to fly in the world championships in Hungery, in the control line stunt as it was then, i had been modelling since i was a child and flying stunt for many years, i had put a lot of effort into getting to the top and having finished in or around the top three all season in competitions around the country ientered the team trials and i came thired and got my place, the top guy then was Jim Mannal who won that day and second was a fellow called steve blake and forth was brian turner who missed out as only the top three went , who happend to be big big buddys with blake, anyway they got there heads together and complained that one judge was biast to me , now this man was a top judge and a truly honest person, the outcome was they were going to rerun the trials to give turner another chance
I thought if this is the SMAE i want nothing to do with them and i packed in aeromodelling there and then and only came back into it 3years ago
It caused a lot of ill feeling within the stunt community and the arguments and ill feeling went on for a long time, i went to the nats in 2012 and met Pete Tindal who used to fly in the comps with us at the same time and he was still angry at what went on as was several others there
Turner was still flying in another event but i could not find him, just as well realy as i would have belted him without even thinking about it
Thats a quick overview of what went on

THE BLACKBIRD wrote: Hi Alan in 1974 i qualified for the British team to fly in the world championships in Hungery, in the control line stunt as it was then, i had been modelling since i was a child and flying stunt for many years, i had put a lot of effort into getting to the top and having finished in or around the top three all season in competitions around the country ientered the team trials and i came thired and got my place, the top guy then was Jim Mannal who won that day and second was a fellow called steve blake and forth was brian turner who missed out as only the top three went , who happend to be big big buddys with blake, anyway they got there heads together and complained that one judge was biast to me , now this man was a top judge and a truly honest person, the outcome was they were going to rerun the trials to give turner another chance
I thought if this is the SMAE i want nothing to do with them and i packed in aeromodelling there and then and only came back into it 3years ago
It caused a lot of ill feeling within the stunt community and the arguments and ill feeling went on for a long time, i went to the nats in 2012 and met Pete Tindal who used to fly in the comps with us at the same time and he was still angry at what went on as was several others there
Turner was still flying in another event but i could not find him, just as well realy as i would have belted him without even thinking about it
Thats a quick overview of what went on

Doesn't appear that it was the SMAE/BMFA that pooed on you but rather a tiny number of individuals.

Hi Alan

Been a BMFA member since 1971. I have a reasonable understanding of how it works and I have also been following the discussion about the removal of the 2 area chief examiners (on Facebook) with some interest. I don't get emotive about these sort of things - it doesn't help - you need to keep a clear head and in the main I do not agree with unfounded derogatory remarks that attack individuals.

Ultimately, the BMFA - through the network of Club, Regional and National committees and elected individuals are there to represent the individuals (members) who pay their subscriptions (promptly - I hope). Sometimes decisions need to be made that are uncomfortable - I can understand that - however, at no time should a decision be made that affect a large group of members without an explanation for that decision.

As far as I can see, on this occasion, removal of two enthusiastic and dedicated individuals from providing a valuable service to the NW regional members without any valid explanation is unacceptable. As a member of the BMFA, I do not think that it is unreasonable to ask why that decision has been made.

So, I am going to ask.

Martyn

The SMAE were in charge of the events so as far as im concerned it comes down to them what happend, they made the decisions

And I would request that if you DO get a reply Martynk, that you will share this with us please

Garry

Yes - will do.

Martyn

And i think i agree with you, BB, the association should have shown some guts, and dismissed the obviously rigged protest, But, in a rush at the mo, going out, will have another look later

This is an excellent thread, and would not wish it to descend into an investigation into old scores, unless they are totally relevant to the thread title. Lets be careful on this one please .

Garry

As a member of and PRO for the BMFA Scale Technical Committee, I have a pretty good idea of how it all works, but is that really relevant if I have a complaint? And that's especially pertinent if the complaint is about the BMFA process.

I's not difficult to find out who is responsible for whatever one has to complain about and to lobby them directly. If all else fails, a letter to the Chairman and/or the Chief Exec would get attention and appropriate guidance as to what to do with the initial complaint.

As Big A says: "Generally stuff can take some time but it (The BMFA) usually gets it right."

Garry Pollard wrote: How does the BMFA work ??? Very slowly would be the answer, as there is so much legal , political, and diverse things that this organization sort out for the model flyers it represents. Maybe the question should read, "What do the BMFA do for us ", and the answer to that is a hell of a lot. The way we are allowed to fly, where we fly and the weight of the models we fly is all down to work done by the BMFA , talking to such as the CAA, local and national councils, land owners, and the Nat Trust
They are also responsible for representation in disputes with peeps who would and could stop us flying at a site that we have enjoyed for many many years. I do believe that one of our members clubs is being helped by the BMFA at the moment in a dispute with a barrister,something the club could not undertake due to
Negotiations were done by the BMFA to secure 35 meg and the 2.4 frequencies for us .
Noise is now becoming a hazard to our hobby as it now only takes one complaint to get a club shut down. Without the BMFA there wouldnt be many clubs in existence.
Most peeps join the BMFA for the insurance, and I have no prob with this,as it gives the BMFA the finance to fight other things that do not get much publicity, but are vital for our hobby.
There are a lot of peeps who dont think much of the BMFA, and in my book they are foolish , as without this organisation we wouldnt enjoy the freedom we have now to enjoy our hobby
Long may they help us .

Garry

I would not normally quote this length of post, but Garry, its nothing LIKE a what do the bmfa do for us, its exactly what i said, how does the bmfa work, and its clear that only one member has any idea, (besides me,) this thread is in no way an attempt to slag off the society, or discuss its merits, or its inadequacies, That ok with you mate?

Thats fine by me Alan, as long as the thread stays in that vein .

Garry

I know that the chairman of the club I am a member of regularly attends BMFA area meetings and so If I had a problem or query with the way things were done I would first talk to him, If that had no effect I would write to the relevant member of the tech comity with a copy to the BMFA chairman.

I see there is a very good point been made on RCME by Andy Ellison, about how the current BMFA is working, smacks of when it was the SMAEof years ago
I think what they have done to Andy and the other guy is bad, but this is still basicly the same as its always been
Thats why i will never join again

Tony

The BMFA hasnt done anything to him. ACE status is a matter for his area committee.

I am keeping a very close eye on this thread, as I know RCME mods are doing on the thread that is running on their forum .

May I hasten to add that this thread is being conducted by OUR members in a very adult way. Thanks lads

Garry