Rule 11 now reads: ‘Neither members nor visitors are permitted to fly any model that weighs over 7.5 kilograms, maximum take-off mass (including batteries and fuel), unless that person holds a relevant BMFA ‘B’ certificate. For members without a ‘B’ certificate, applications for a waiver may be granted via the Committee on an individual basis for a specific model under 8.5Kg.’
The background behind the Rule 11 update is to allow members the chance to continue flying models that may have been affected by the new CAA guidelines as outlined in Article 16, in particular the raising of the weight threshold to 7.5Kg.
This requires pilots to hold a ‘B’ certificate at NBRMAS as well as needing to follow BMFA guidelines 19.13, such as not flying above 400ft and a radio fail-safe device must be fitted: 7.5Kg is now the ‘maximum take-off mass’ which includes batteries and fuel.
Potentially models that were under the old 7Kg threshold, may be over the new 7.5Kg threshold.
It also allows some sensible flexibility, in exceptional circumstances, with models around the new 7.5Kg threshold.
Details of the waiver will soon be available on the NBRMAS website.
The Committee
