Insurance BFMA RCHA, plus public areas

[ShinySideUp]

Having lost control of a small heli last week and having it run downfield at a reasonable lick it did cross my mind what would happen if it had been something large and powerful rather than the 3-channel indoor heli that it was and hit something, someone, or caused a major pile up.

I've searched through the site here and found insurance through the BFMA and the RCHA both of which seem to require membership. Do ordinary insurance complanies do cover of any sort?

If I take out insurance with one of these organisations are there conditions about where one should be flying to ensure cover is applied. You see, I have a playing field behind my house that is only used at weekends by the football teams but is otherwise empty. If I fly my (bigger) heli there and it shoots into someones garden killing their ducks (for example) would the insurance cover me or would they claim I was using a public place without authority and avoid paying out? I live very close to Caradon Hill near Liskeard where the biggest danger is that of hitting the odd sheep but it is also a public place.

I know this is a huge subject full of if's and but's however some general guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks

Martin

[adieuk]

your best bet is to join a club
the rcha is not running at the moment so you will have to make do with bmfa

[Mslater]

The long and short of it is you need to get some insurance.

The BMFA is realistically the only option this year althought RCHA insurance is due back on the scene soon and that would be my preferred option.

You join BMFA for a year from January, Insurance is included as part of the membership at around £29 for a country member (ie if you are not part of a club)

If you join a club you may find insurance through the BMFA is included.


The RCHA will be providing insurance again soon, you do not need to be a member of the RCHA to buy Insurance cover.


There are some other companies that provide various levels of cover but I've found them to be a little more expensive and don't carry the vast help and support of a dedicated organisation.

If you are serious about flying find a local club and ask there, you'll also get some good tips and help with your flying.

Ultimately be safe and stay safe. You can do a lot of damage with even a modest model.

[Mslater]

are there conditions about where one should be flying to ensure cover is applied. You see, I have a playing field behind my house that is only used at weekends by the football teams but is otherwise empty. If I fly my (bigger) heli there and it shoots into someones garden killing their ducks

Just to follow this up, you actually have a 'right to fly' but as a rule you should always get permission first and check local bylaws.

If you do kill a Duck you'll get a bill anyway !!!

(that wasn't supposed to be funny)

[ShinySideUp]

Just to follow this up, you actually have a 'right to fly' but as a rule you should always get permission first and check local bylaws.

If you do kill a Duck you'll get a bill anyway !!!

(that wasn't supposed to be funny)

But it was. lol

Martin

[Big A]

Having lost control of a small heli last week and having it run downfield at a reasonable lick it did cross my mind what would happen if it had been something large and powerful rather than the 3-channel indoor heli that it was and hit something, someone, or caused a major pile up.

I've searched through the site here and found insurance through the BFMA and the RCHA both of which seem to require membership. Do ordinary insurance complanies do cover of any sort?

If I take out insurance with one of these organisations are there conditions about where one should be flying to ensure cover is applied. You see, I have a playing field behind my house that is only used at weekends by the football teams but is otherwise empty. If I fly my (bigger) heli there and it shoots into someones garden killing their ducks (for example) would the insurance cover me or would they claim I was using a public place without authority and avoid paying out? I live very close to Caradon Hill near Liskeard where the biggest danger is that of hitting the odd sheep but it is also a public place.

I know this is a huge subject full of if's and but's however some general guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks

Martin

The insurance would cover you as long as you are flying legally, so you would need to check the local byelaws, while it is not a legal requirement to have the insurance it's a pretty sensible thing to do, even your small 3 channel heli could do damage to something soft and squishy such as an eyeball. The best advice however is to join a club, if it's a BMFA affiliated club they will sort the insurance aspect for you too.

[ushills]

Insurance

I fly in a private field that I have obtained the landowners permission to fly in and I also phoned the local council to check if there were any restrictions for flying rc planes/helicopters and they were very helpful. The BMFA gave me some good advice regarding this.

Personally I would not join a club as I would rather be flying with friends and have had bad experiences with other club politics in the past.

My advise, get BMFA insurance anyway, phone the council or ask around local landowners who may not mind if it is just you or you/mate flying. Good for security of the land, however, you wont get anywhere if they are agricultural farmers due to contamination.

[Fixxxer]

Not all farmers are lamers who jump through hoops just cuz the powers that be demand it, ask around, ya never know.

But as suggested, get BMFA insurance, it costs bugger all in the grand scheme of things.

[maderdog_1024]

I fly on my farm and the only contamination is the shrapnel from crashes !

I know loads of farmers and generally they won't bother their arse if it's one or two people on a patch of grass out the way. If you do ask a farmers permission worth saying you only stand in one spot an can use any field that does not have animals in it and you will be considerate of gates, fences etc. It's generally best to look for the farmers son as old hands can be stubborn and the odd bottle of whisky might work too.

Farmers are protective of their land and keep them sweet and you will get peace to do your thing.

[Lynx.1677]

Yep, a few of us fly at a local public meadow and we're all good as far as by-laws are concerned. Not that into the club thing mainly as they are further away and also I like to fly when I want to. Had RCHA insurance last year but since I don't have any heli's I don't need to worry for now. Will wait for RCHA to come back again as not really wanting to give BMFA my dosh, personal pref is all.

Insurance is a must though, just for peace of mind.

[LaurenceGough]

I would go for BMFA this year just as RCHA is not currently offering insurance, if they were I wouldn't think twice about going with them again.

Should cover public flying fields unless it has signs saying otherwise!