I'm going to collate as many questions and answers as possible and place them on the site, I'm trying to keep the questions to a few select sources so that its easier for me to collate them.

As an example - a prospective member wanted to know if the cover inc ROI (Republic of Ireland) - this wasn't fully clear so we sought an answer from AON and it came back yesterday saying "YES".

So obviously the guy was pleased when I went back to him....

Please post any questions here in this forum - please also ensure that its not just about insurance questions - we had a member ask about the schools programme and we are working on it and have contacts within the LEA so input / ideas are welcome.....

Hi Stuart,
I do hope I'm not opening up a can of worms here ?
I'll try to keep this as brief as I can...
I've just enquired with the BMFA regarding RCHA insurance cover at events, such as a club fly-in and was sent the following...

Notice to event organisers and club officials

RCHA insurance

Following the recent formation of the Radio Control Helicopter Association we have been contacted by a number of BMFA club committees and event organisers enquiring whether they should accept RCHA membership for insurance purposes at their club or event.

Following investigation into this matter we advise that at this time RCHA insurance is not recognised due to the level and scope of cover provided under the terms of the policy.

Should a member of the RCHA wish to fly at your event or club site then it is recommended that they become either full or temporary members of the BMFA for insurance purposes.

5th February 2010

We are holding a open fly-in at Dorset Model Helicopter Club July 4th and as a BMFA affiliated club I wanted to check that we are covered for any guest fliers that only hold RCHA insurance.
I would very much appreciate your views on this matter.
Many thanks,
Mike.
DMHC - Chairman

Hello Mike,

The issue revolves around one factor.

1. £5m Difference cover between us and them.

We did print a response as such here..

BMFA Response & RCHA Statement in Return

This is purely a recommendation only there is NO mandatory requirement for this.

Like the RCHA the BMFA is only an association it does not control model flying in the UK or have the ability to fine or enforce any regulatory requirements.

Granted the majority of more serious flyers are in it, but that's simply down to the fact that no suitable alternatives have been around long enough. We have plenty of time on our hands, and we didn't want to get into a direct alternative position with the BMFA as we only want to serve the helicopter community - there terms of club affiliation make this a challenging situation so we will level the playing field in due course.

Ironically an e-mail from the CAA states.

We are equally recognised by the CAA and by Ofcom and have joined the UKRCC so we will be equally consulted on issues concerning our interests.

Our view is simple - its your choice.

This is why we set up RCHA to make a choice possible - a choice that many members asked for.

Does that mean for ages the BMFA and it's minions have been telling lies or being extremely evasive about the truth of the above then?

Thank you Stuart.
We all appreciate all the time and effort that you have put in to get the RCHA insurance off the ground and have made available as an alternative for the heli community. It's healthy for the BMFA to have some competition at last, not that they haven't done a fine job over the years.
Is it possible for you to send me a copy of the RCHA insurance cover policy wording please. I'm sure anyone that has taken this cover over the BMFA insurance will be concerned when it comes to national events, but as far as flying as a guest at a club field, so long as there are covered against 3rd party liability then I can't see this being a problem. There will be plenty of club fliers this year who have not continued with the BMFA I'm sure.
Please forgive me for not knowing the full details of the RCHA insurance.
Many thanks,
Mike.

The full news bulletin is on the bmfa website.

As it stands right now, as far as I can tell, this is a major problem and a serious headache for event organisers and fly-ins etc, if your club is a BMFA affiliated club. We all want to be inclusive, but it seems to me that's not an option as it stands right now?

Hopefully, Stuart and the rest of the RCHA committee are fighting tooth and nail to get this issue fully resolved and to remove any and all doubt surrounding insurance.

If the RCHA are nagging the BMFA enough, and in good numbers, some sort of resolution simply has to happen. A resolution that is urgently needed for us all I think!

Cheers,
Rob

[I'm a member of both RCHA & BMFA. ie what I'm about to say hopefully isn't parisan.]

At this time, I can't think of a reason why the BMFA would advise its affiliated clubs to accept RCHA insurance.

OTOH I can think of several reasons (some less cynical than others) why they would not.

I think these reasons have nothing to do with parity of cover, etc.

Stuart,
I sent you the cheque, no response ! Am I insured or not ? As an individual I do not give a flying flock to the politics with the BMFA as I doubt I will ever fly a plank. All I care about is am I legal and what are you doing for the heli community. RSVP

Yes you are - check your mail and PM's for me please and let me know via PM's that all has arrived.