Helping SWMAC

Hi All,

A topic that has been raised on Facebook concerning a model club in New Zealand (South Waikato Model Club) that has been shut down for a few reasons. I was told to create a thread asking for peoples opinions on whether model chat should help to get it back or not.

You may or may not have seen one of the members YouTube channel, if you haven't its Xjet.
Its a great channel and it would be a real shame to see them shut down for ever and I was wondering if there is anything Model Chat could do to help or is it best left alone. I found this report on their website.....

"Following vague, anonymous, and we believe untrue accusations, by Model Flying NZ against the SWMAC, the South Waikato District Council has withdrawn our right to fly at the Tokoroa Airfield field until further notice.

We have received this notification which includes the following:

"I have to advise that the casual use of the airport by members of your Club is not permitted forthwith and such flying will be regarded as a trespass on the property and will be taken seriously"
RJ Fisher
Group Manager Assets.

Given the massive efforts the SWMAC have put into promoting the town and district and the far from insignificant amount of time and money the club has spent in maintaining the airfield on behalf of the Council and ratepayers, we expected that we'd receive the ongoing support of the SWDC in this matter but clearly we have been sadly disappointed.

A special general meeting of the club is scheduled at the field for 10am next Sunday morning to discuss this issue and other matters arising from it."

I will ask to see if anyone could explain the reasons to us why they were shut down so that then you can make your personnel decisions on whether it is right or not.....

Cheers
Tom

To be honest, an odd post.

Not nearly enough info to form a balanced opinion, or even to raise any interest.

Not a case of not caring, but there are so many things in foreign countries that affect friends and family that would that would totally bury some distant clubs problems, and even then, one local club will lose it's site if HS2 goes ahead.

Thank you Tom T for posting the information you have found.
My interest stems from posts on YouTube by XJET; I find the videos very entertaining and a wonderful way in which to spread our hobby.
My question is who has banned the R/C. club from flying at the airfield
Was it, The Property owner, or perhaps, the Town council or the local R/C model governing body, maybe another unknown authority?
As of now it appears if it is the, Property owner, well Game over.
If based on unfounded accusations, I think legal recourse would be in order. As to clear the name of the club and return them to their beautiful field.
I agree more information is needed before opinion or support is rendered or offered.

here is a video.

www.3news.co.nz/Model-aero-club-accused-.../259041/Default.aspx

maybe they have no real rules to go by. there are rules you have to follow because of the fee's for insurance you have to pay.

as they say rc planes are not toys they can be dangerous

I applaud Tom for taking an interest in this, however the laws in other countries maybe do not work the same as ours. As we have so little information, and do not know both sides of the case, I feel that this forum should keep well out of the firing line

Garry

Looking at the video, going by our rules, and I think common sense, the flying safety leaves a bit to be desired, nothing that would take any more than a little effort, and nothing that would spoil their fun either.

But who knows what their guidelines are, they may be nothing like the BMFA guidelines.

Looks like it six of one and half a dozen of the other.

And when did UK cease to be part of Europe?

I always thought that the UK was part of the European continent, like Rhodesia was of Africa, and India is of Asia.

Seems I'll have to correct my geography then!

I agree regarding the EU, and how Heath tricked the public, but that is another topic completely

SEAN wrote:
The true agenda has come out: Post 4711 from the NZ Jet List: ___ ********To all Current Jet Flyers******** A couple of weeks ago the Chairman and Secretary of the NZJMA requested myself and Brian Borland to head a sub committee to resolve the current situation we have with the South Waikato Model Aircraft Club. We have been working tirelessly to ascertain a resolution, however it has now reached the point where we need to take a stronger stance. The ideal situation would have been for the SWMAC to resolve their internal issues (and you can rest assured, they do have some) so that we could remain associated as we have in the past. This unfortunately is no longer an option and the SWMAC president has posted on this list comments which confirm the same. On Monday 25th June The following team met with the South Waikato District Council: Barry Lennox – President MFNZ Dave Wright – Secretary MFNZ Dave Hodges – Secretary NZJMA Stuart Hellyer – Sub Committee NZJMA Brian Borland - Sub Committee NZJMA Don Waters – Civil Aviation Authority The response we received from the council was very positive and a strong indication of their desire to have us still use the Tokoroa airport for our regular meets and events. Regardless of the comments you may have read in previous posts that we may not be welcome, I can assure you we are. The council have indicated they will not consider anything for SWMAC until they satisfy ALL requests of the MFNZ and gain their approval. So, where does this leave us?? The following action plan has the full support of MFNZ, SWDC, CAA and the Chairman and Secretary of the NZJMA, and we feel this is the best avenue to benefit us all: The NZJMA applies to the MFNZ to become a registered club. MFNZ affiliation fees may be paid through the NZJMA or associate memberships will be available. A minimal membership fee would be applicable and a figure of say $20.00/ annum was discussed. The NZJMA will still remain as the jet turbine SIG and be a respondent to the MFNZ for this role. The NZJMA makes application to the MFNZ and CAA to register and establish operating procedures at Tokoroa airport. CAA indicated at our meeting the level of support they can potentially offer, such as decreased height restriction, appropriate flight envelope and relevant notification to aviators of our presence in aviation documents. During our discussions with the SWDC, the NZJMA requested access to the site up to 8 weekends a year including the 3 day ANZAC event plus one weekend day of each month. This was positively received. The SWDC are very receptive of the interest we bring to Tokoroa. The NZJMA would have a representative on the SWDC airport user group. This would allow us to work directly with the other airport users and develop a harmonious relationship between ourselves and the SWDC. If we go ahead with the above proposal we should be able to get fully operational within a month, hopefully earlier, but we need to know if this is the path the general interest group are prepared to support. An online poll will be established shortly where you can indicate your preference. The vote will be anonymous and shall run for about 3 days. This is the most beneficial way we envisage how we are going to retain the flying site for the future. I want to make it perfectly clear. Throughout our discussions we have had the interests and longevity of the SWMAC at heart and this is in no way to be considered as an attempt to damage or replace the SWMAC. We hope they are able to resolve their issues and continue as a local Tokoroa club.


Read more: www.3news.co.nz/Model-aero-club-accused-...t.aspx#ixzz20zzsFeiM

Upon further search of the news article I found this letter in the second page of the comments section.STATEMENT FROM MODEL FLYING NZ wrote:
Statement from Model Flying NZ

Our original letter to SWMAC did say MFNZ would not indulge in a public debate, and the MFNZ Council stands by that. However, in light of the "Campbell Live" program on TV3 on Monday evening, we have decided to release the following one statement to inform our members of actions taken so far.

Firstly, let's keep the basics in perspective. Tokoroa is a national airfield and has full-size movements on it. The NZ CAA makes it crystal clear that there is a "pecking order" and full-size A/C will always take priority. The airfield is owned by the South Waikato District Council, (SWDC) and they govern what shall take place on it, not the local aeroclub, nor the South Waikato Model Aircraft Club, (SWMAC) nor MFNZ. There is no automatic right to fly model aircraft there, though this has been gradually assumed by some. In particular, the NZ AIP shows that models could be expected in a rectangle to the east of the runway, but this does not include the runway, the hangers or the manoeuvring area. CAA strongly agrees with that position.

The situation became a serious matter, when two complaints were filed by the aeroclub members to CAA, who forwarded it to us. Since then a number of other matters have been raised by modellers with more comments from aeroclub members. This has led to a level of conflict that is unnecessary and hazardous at an aviation site. Also, there have been unsatisfactory events on You-tube: One example being:

Flying an FPV model outside the line-of-sight range. This clearly breaches CAA rules and is hazardous. Every airspace regulatory body in the western world restricts FPV operation to strictly line-of-sight range, for very good reasons. In the event, this model also crashed some distance away, it was a matter of luck no damage or injury occurred.

There has been criticism of MFNZ for involving the CAA and the SWDC. Our view is that it would be irresponsible not to. The first complaint was forwarded from CAA, and the SWDC is the airfield owner. CAA controls the airspace and SWDC owns the airfield. No changes, should be, or could be made without the involvement of these two organisations.

What we especially wished to avoid was accusations of “doing nothing” should there be an incident or accident at the Tokoroa airfield, when reports of inappropriate incidents and culture had been reported to us. It was evident that a specific culture of model flying was developing on an airfield with full-size movements. The closure could easily have been avoided if the SWMAC had taken the initial MFNZ letter seriously, and put in place the requested measures. This has been repeated in the letter from the SWDC to the SWMAC, and it still stands.

Furthermore, this situation would quite probably never have happened if the SWMAC had worked with, and heeded comments and requests, from full-size operators at the Tokoroa airfield. It must be stressed, once again, that Tokoroa is a full size airfield with aircraft movements on it. There is no automatic right to fly models there, except in the designated area off the airfield.

The most simple and reasonable action would have been to move over to the designated area as soon as the first comments were heard, this being long before they reached CAA.

Our letter asked the SWMAC to agree to make changes and put in place a regime so that model and full-size aircraft could co-operate and share the airfield and airspace. Thus providing a safe environment and security of tenure for model flying on the airfield. The reply was unsatisfactory and incomplete. The club rules remain as "Don't be an Idiot" and "Have fun". We do not consider it reasonable to condense into a one-liner, rules for the information and guidance of the members using this particular site, despite the SWMAC claim they will follow CAA and MFNZ rules. Virtually all other clubs in NZ do not find this a burden, and still manage to have ample fun.

In the meantime, the SWDC decided to stop model flying at the Tokoroa airfield, until they are satisfied that safe practices, for all users, are in place on their property. Contrary to what was claimed on "Campbell Live" no trespass order has been made.

We know, and have reaffirmed this afternoon, that NZ CAA supports the MFNZ stance, shares our concerns, and has a long and good relationship with us.

On Monday June 25, representatives of MFNZ, some members of the SWMAC and the CAA met with the SWDC to discuss this situation. The meeting was positive and productive and we await the outcome of the Council's decision. We are confident that the use of Tokoroa airfield will be retained for responsible MFNZ members. The future of the SWMAC remains largely in their own hands.

Barry Lennox
MFNZ President

Dave Wright
MFNZ Secretary
====================================end=====================================


Read more: www.3news.co.nz/Model-aero-club-accused-...t.aspx#ixzz211mnjSWn

Well, just shows how we can be misled if we were to accept what we first read.

I think that statement must be taken as factual, I'm sure they would have had it checked by their legal people before releasing it.

Seems to me the club has misstated the events to try and get sympathy from people like us, other modellers, just using us for their own aims!

Never mind saving them, they appear to have made complete idiots of themselves, and tried to include others as well. They don't get my vote, in fact, they should be banned from flying, if not completely, within 20 miles of any airport or runway.

These are the kind of people who will destroy RC flying for everyone. Their actions and attitudes remind me of the president of Syria

so as i see it, they were flying in the wrong area and not taking the airfield owners worries seriously.
well if that was the case i have no sympathy.

It does show there are always two or more sides to a dispute, and how wrong it is to make judgment until all points have been raised.
I do however still feel that my comments in post no 5 still apply
Garry

Thank you for posting that Walrus, now we know the real reasons towards it...... Still, there could be other reasons to it and that made not be all true.
Its a tough one

Kiwi has been e-mailing me about this thread... here's one of the messages & I think it's self explanatory.
HI polly

would you post this for me in swmac thread..

Any one using an airfield for modelflying should always be aware of their surroundings.
It is better to make a model crash than to kill life of flyers.
The practice of FPV is in my mind great , but only when used with an observer. The trend of seeing how high one can fly into clouds is one I would certainly discourage.
No model aircraft on an airfield or off should be used in such a way .
The model should always be clearly visable at all times to the pilot and observer.
The use of modern jet turbines and fast electrics are also something that needs to be carefully policed for safety reasons ,as I personally feel there are too many dangerous pilots or places these are being flown world wide . if you need proof ,just look at some of the videos on u tube of pilots and places ..
It will only be a matter of time before a stray rc aircraft hits a full size aircraft.
There was a report by a airline pilot this year of a clown fish at about 3000 ft .. it was a helium filled toy fish that had gone out of range ...!!!

Thanks Graeme Ashby Kiwi G