Opinions

[Stuart]

Hello Guy's,

I'm trying to get some independant honest opinions on the BMFA. I'll give you some background.

In Jan 2009 (8th to be precise) I sent the BMFA a letter asking for some help. With the loss of the 3D Masters to Spain it seemed that a worldwide platform for our passion left without any real consultation with those that really appreciated it the most. Its been asked of me on a couple of ocassions to arrange an RCHA fly-in. This was something that for me is a great idea, but I'm not the kind of person that would take on this opportunity without looking at it further.

My view was that I wanted to deliver a full weekend event that was a mix of fly-in and top world class pilots delivering a showcase annual huge event, but also used to promote the hobby with a massive marque with cx2's buzzing around and if possible more things.

So off the letter went to the BMFA as the event would be done using hopefully state assistance using grants etc by setting up a company to deliver it. This would mean that I would have to get my own public liability ins etc. So I needed to know from the BMFA the claims record etc etc to allow my insurance company to get the best quote for the event.

To-date no formal reply.

I have chased around people and to perfectly frank more than less than impressed.

So this raised a moral debate for me and did the BMFA actually deliver value for money - not just the tangible insurance cover, but actually for my £28.00 a year did the BMFA promote the hobby not just inside the circles of the hobby by also outside of model flying and reach its maximum potential.

So since Feb this year, I started to build stat's on the BMFA, no's of club's % mix of heli's as a discipline within club's, accident info, monthly mag content etc etc.

So I've decided to open a few small poll's and I would be greatful if you could please assist.

[Smoothound]

My guess is I don't need to comment My views on the Bloody Minded Farts Association are well documented

[Stuart]

All votes needed please this is part of my research - I've spent months looking at them in detail from accounts to each websites, minutes of meetings and I'm nearing the end of research stage, but I need tangible honest views/comments/votes.

Thanks

[derrick]

Hi stuart only a newbie, i know they provide insurance,Ihave been on there site a few times but they just seem to advertise the events that the clubs organise.Iam sure they do more but a lot of what they talk about is easier to find out about on this site. They do a list of all the clubs which is really handy. But apart from that i don't know what they do. I have never really found them that usefull. Good luck with with organising the event.
Del.

[Stuart]

Ironically if the BMFA had simply helped me to get the info I needed for my insurers then it wouldn't have made me really look at them in such detail and get a flavour for what they do / don't do or how they work.

Its grown into a much bigger project now but before moving forward I need to quantify realistically how people feel about the BMFA.

A couple of more poll's to put up yet, but as much honest voting and opinions are welcome.

[opc]

All I know about the bmfa is that when I rung them to ask for advice concerning setting up a club I asked if they knew anything about defra payments to farmers,they said they had no idea,didn't offer to find out and to let them know how I got onVery helpfull!

[jamiem]

i know this has been far from top of your agenda lately with all the recent "troubles" on here, but how did you get on? did you ever get any help or info from the BMFA?

[cambs flyer]

If your thinking of making an independent RC Heli' only club/insurance kinda thing count me in mate, I'm no great pilot but I'd support an idea like this all the way.

With meetings and cost's.

(sorry it's late in the day and all, but where is the voting area please)

[Brian Gifford]

As a newbie, I joined the BMFA to get the insurance. I got my copy of their magazine, and was completely underwhelmed.

Christ, I thought I was old at 54 taking up a hobby like this, but I'm a babe-in-arms compared to most of the contributors in the mag, of which 99% is dedicated to stuff like rubber band free flight and other up-to-the-minute technology.

It seems to me that the BMFA is not moving with the times and embracing modern sports like helicopters.

I would also like to say I'm sure the people who contribute to the magazine are committed flying fans, it's just that there isn't any sort of fair representation of helicopters.

[Stuart]

Thanks all to the comments and votes - I'll be closing the polls at the end of the month.

[handthrottle]

BMFA is ok for insurance and clubs. The magazine they produce is a load of crap and seems that if your younger than 60 your not worth it, run by 60+ year olds for 60+ years old!!