News
BMAC NEWS STORIES
27th oct 2024
John A gets the thumbs up!
Congratulations to BMAC member John Aukett, who today successfully passed his club "solo flying assessment". John is flanked by his Trainer Keith (L) and Assessor John G (R).
22nd sep 2024
Mower Donation
Our Chairman, John Gillingham, has generously been donated a brand-new ride-on lawn mower, which he has kindly agreed to use at the club field. The mower was gifted to John from long-standing friends in recognition of help and assistance he had given the couple over the years. Well done John!
16th sep 2024
Annual General Meeting
This years AGM was again held at Breckland Leisure Centre on Sunday 15th September 2024. In brief, the Club fees will remain the same for 2025 and the Committee members are unchanged.
20th apr 2024
Members Only
A password protected area has been set-up, where current Club Members only can view club sensitive information. Other documents will be added soon...
To login, go to the Resources Page, click the BMAC Club Members button and enter your Initial+Surname (in Capitals) eg JSMITH and your 6 figure BMFA number.
18th mar 2024
Bikers Caught by Police
Three motorbike riders were caught by Police at the weekend after riding along the public footpaths adjacent to the flying field. They were each given a Section 59 Notice (anti-social Behaviour) and fined for not having valid insurance.
View the online report in the Eastern Daily Press
23rd sep 2023
Annual General Meeting
This years AGM was held at Breckland Leisure Centre on Sunday 17th September 2023. Thank you to all of those that attended or offered their apologies.
The main points:
- Club membership for Senior members remains at £30/year and is payable from 1st January 2024.
- Mike Rabey was elected as the new Club Safety Officer.
- John Gillingham was elected as a Life Member for his long-standing services to the club. Well done John!
New Club Safety Officer - Mike Rabey
13th AUG 2023
New Members
Breckland Model Aero Club welcomed THREE new members at the field today! Peter, George and Glenn are all previous/existing model flyers and despite the blustery conditions each was able to demonstrate their own skills (in their new BMAC caps!). We wish them all many happy and safe flights at Two Mile Bottom!
6th AUG 2023
New Club Mower
We are pleased to announce that BMAC has acquired a new ride-on lawn mower to assist the maintenance of the flying field. The time spent cutting the grass is now significantly reduced with no more long walks! The mower will be kept securely off-site. Meanwhile, a big thanks to everyone helping to look after the flying field over the last few months.
28th may 2023
Dutch goes Solo!
Congratulations to BMAC flyer Steve Holland who successfully demonstrated a safe take-off, flight and landing under the watchful gaze of instructors Keith Greatrick (L) and John Gillingham (R). Thanks also to Tony Woodall for calling out the BMFA "A" Cert flight patterns.
21st may 2023
BMFA World Record attempt
Breckland Model Aero Club was proud to be part of the BMFAs second World Record attempt at "the most aircraft in the air at the same time - across the United Kingdom" on Sunday 14th may 2023.
Last year BMAC achieved 11 out of a total of 3,109 across the country. This year, we acheived 14.
Congratulations to everyone involved!
Here a couple of videos of the event...
UPDATE: Unfortunately, the Offical count has now been announced and only 2,224 aircraft were in the air this year at 182 locations across the country.
The BMFA is hoping to hold the event again in the future - possibly Internationally!
20th April 2023
New members (Just call me Steve!)
We would like to welcome some new members that have recently joined our club. Steve, Steve, Steve and Rhys! Safe flying and welcome to the club!
29th january 2023
Vandalism - Update
A big thanks to everyone that came to the flying field today to help repair the damage caused by an offroad vehicle - and to those that were unable to make it and to those that shared their anger and frustration...
28th january 2023
Vandalism
Regretfully, I have to announce that sometime late last week (25th-27th Jan), someone took it upon themselves to drive an "offroad" vehicle over the flying field causing significant damage to the surface and soil beneath.
The local police have been informed.
Updates to follow...
OCTOBER 2022
Safety Signs - Updated
The "Low Flying Aircraft" warning sign at the bridge and the "No Parking" sign on the small field have both been replaced with new longlasting acrylic versions. This will make them less prone to weathering.
In addition, a new "Low Flying Model Aircraft" sign has been installed at the Factory end of the public footpath to warn pedestrians and cyclists of the dangers of straying off of the footpath.
Thanks again to Mike Wabe who sourced and delivered the signs to the club.
26th June 2022
Safety Fence - Repainted
A big thank you to BMAC member Mike Wabe, who has given the safety fence and pilot box a new coat of paint.
24th May 2022
BMFA World Record - Update
The BMFA has announced that 3109 aircraft were in the air simultaneously at 263 flying sites across the country at 12 noon on Sunday 15th May 2022.
At an average of just under 12 per site, 11 at Two Mile Bottom is a great acheivement. Well done to everyone involved.
15th May 2022
BMFA Centenary World Record Attempt
Thank you to those that were able to attend todays World Record Attempt and commiserations to those that weren't.
In the event, 11 members had various models airborne at 12 noon (7 RC fixed wing, 3 drones and a helicopter).
The formal Declaration was signed and witnessed by the Club Secretary and Club Chairman respectively and along with a Group Photo (below), this has now been submitted to the BMFA collation committee to pass onto the relevant scrutineers.
UPDATE: A total of 3,109 aircraft were in the air at 12 noon at 263 sites across the UK. Congratulations!!
More photographs of the event can be found on the Gallery webpage. Videos to follow...
27th MARCH 2022
Mike goes solo
Congratulations to new flying club member Mike Wabe who successfully completed a solo take-off, flight and landing today under difficult windy conditions!
Following tuition from club instructor John Gillingham over the last few weeks, Mike has made rapid progress with the Bixler and is already looking to expand his collection of model aircraft.
13th MARCH 2022
Pits Table
None of us are getting any younger and kneeling beside our models on wet grass can be a chore. So to make life easier, a new "assembly table" has been installed in the pits area to enable pilots to install/remove batteries and perform last minute checks prior to entering the pit box. The wood was "recycled" from a construction site and all built for the price of a tin of woodstain. Hopefully, the table will remain as long as the bench in the parking area!
12th DECEMBER 2021
Annual AGM
The Annual AGM of Breckland Model Aero Club was held today - under the threat of a higher COVID level. Thank you to all those that attended and understandably not everyone could attend.
The Club fee remains the same (£30 for Seniors). Payment should be made by Direct Bank Transfer - details on the Membership page. Don't forget to use your name as Payee Reference so that Keith knows who has paid.
Happy Christmas!
13th DECEMBER 2020
AGM Ballot Results
Due to CoViD-19 restrictions, this years AGM was an online questionnaire. The results were as follows:
1. The BMAC Club Fee for 2021 will remain at £30 for Seniors. Junior & Social Membership is free.
2. The posts of Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Land Acquisition Manager were unopposed and each candidate was re-elected.
It is hoped to hold a meeting at the field as early as possible in 2021 to confirm these votes and to discuss the ongoing maintenance issue of the field.
13th September 2020
BMAC in the 70's
A previous member of Breckland Model Aero Club has recently been in touch and has said how pleased he was to hear that the club was still going strong! He has kindly provided these newspaper clippings from the 1970's before the club became established at Two-Mile Bottom.
Thanks to Mal John for providing this interesting insight into the history of the club. I am hoping that he will be able to visit the present flying field and meet its current members.
18th july 2020
Updates
COVID-19
Following the CoViD-19 lockdown period, the field at Two Mile Bottom is now open for model aircraft flying. However, please note that restrictions still apply regarding "social distancing". Members are requested to take all precaustions to prevent the spread of the virus.
Access Gate
Members are kindly requested to ensure that the main gate at the A134 junction is kept closed at all times. This helps to minimise the number of unauthorised public vehicles from entering and parking on site and keeping out potential "fly-tippers".
Resources
The websites "Resource" page has been updated to include direct links to the BMFA RC Achievement Scheme and the CAA Drone and Model Aircraft Registration Scheme. [Click here]
8th december 2019
Annual General Meeting
The BMAC AGM took place on Sunday 8th December 2019. Thank you to all those that attended. Nearly the entire membership! We would like to welcome new member Tom to the Club. Unfortunately, the Club subscription has been raised. However, this is the first time in 15 years.
8th NOVEMBER 2019
CAA Registration
The Governments "Drone and Model Aircraft Registration and Education Scheme" went live on 5th November, meaning anyone who flies and/or operates an unmanned aircraft must register for a Flyer ID and/or Operator ID.
BMFA members (unlike the general public) have until the end of January to register.
Flier ID FLY-XXXXXX
BMFA members with an A Cert should wait until contacted by the BMFA as they will be given a Flyer ID automatically.
Other BMFA members can either take the online CAA test (it's free and lasts for 3 years) or wait until the BMFA announces its own version.
Operator ID OP-XXXXXX
All owners of model aircraft will need an Operators ID. This number will need to be shown on all of your models.
Members should wait until contacted by the BMFA and allow the BMFA to register to the CAA on their behalf. The cost will be £9/year and will probably paid at the same time as the annual BMFA subscription. Awaiting confirmation...
You can download a handy flowchart {HERE}
11th jULY 2019
Gift Aid
Breckland Model Aero Club is now a registered Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) and as-such is now able to claim an extra 25% in Gift Aid on all future donations.
This means that for every £100 donated, the Club can claim another £25 from the taxman! However, the donor MUST:
- be a UK taxpayer, and
- have paid the amount of Gift Aid claimed during the claim period
In order to make any claims, the Club MUST keep records of any donors details and make them available should they need to be inspected.
Anyone wishing to donate to the Club and allow it to claim Gift Aid, should download & fill-in a Gift_Aid_Declaration_Form and return it to either Keith or Mark.
Non-Gift-Aid donations are still accepted without a Gift Aid Declaration form, although we won't be able to reclaim any tax.
Single donations of less than £30 and combined "Rattle-box" donations do not require a Gift Aid Declaration form.
23rd june 2019
Harry goes solo!
Congratulations to new member Harry Howe, who flew his new Bixler 3 solo from take-off to landing! (Twice!)
Under the watchful eye of Keith, Harry flew in front of a large audience of club members. In often difficult cross-wind conditions, he maintained excellent level flight, flew circuits in both directions and was able to land on the field without assistance.
This video shows Harry landing for the second time.
14TH APRIL 2019
A Way Day (Part 2)
I was able to attend the "A Way Day" coaching session at South Norfolk Flying Club on 13th (bad omen) April 2019.
Whilst circumstances prevented me from taking the A Certificate test, it was a good opportunity to hear from the examiners what the A test involved and how it should be carried out.
For anyone interested in progressing their flying acheivements, the following documents are available from the BMFA download page.
BMFA 2018 Handbook - with latest amendments. Read it all, but pay particular attention to Section 18 (General Model Safety)
BMFA Fixed Wing Power Certificates 2019 - Always use the CURRENT year document eg 2019. Includes mandatory questions/answers
BMFA A Cert - Fixed Wing Diagrams - Useful diagrams of the current examination circuits.
In addition, you will also need to be aware of any local regulations and club rules of the Flying Club where the test is to be taken. These will given to you in a briefing prior to any flying.
The coaching day was a great opportunity to refresh safety techniques and learn from other pilots and examiners the importance of model safety.
Mark
31st JANUARY 2019
A Way Day
There will a "Coaching Day" for anyone wishing to take the leap to gain their A or B licence. The event will take place at the South Norfolk Flying Club (Wymondham) on Saturday 13th April 2019. For more details, please click here.
9th DECEMBER 2018
Annual General Meeting
The BMAC AGM took place on Sunday at the Breckland Leisure Centre in Thetford. The meeting was well attended and the room was much warmer than previous meetings in the Scouts hut!
The minutes can be downloaded here.
The next meeting is likely to be an Extraordinary Meeting to discuss any further developments regarding the potential purchase of the flying field.
17th NOVEMBER 2018
2019 Fees
The BMFA has announced that their fees agreed for 2019 are as follows:
Senior £38, Junior £17, Family Senior £38, Family Partner £25 & Family Junior £13.
Breckland Model Aero Fees (currently £20) will be set at the Annual General Meeting, the date of which will be announced shortly.
4th NOVEMBER 2018
Tony goes solo!
Congratulations to BMAC member Tony Woodall, who has successfully passed his BMAC "BMFA-A" equivalency test under the examination of Club Safety Officer John Gillingham. Tony was able to demonstrate his solo flying abilities in difficult weather conditions and in front of a critical audience!
19th OCTOBER 2018
PhoenixRC Flying Site
Ever wanted to fly at Two Mile Bottom, but it's been too windy and raining? Now you can!!
Download the "Breckland Model Aero Club Flying Site" add-on folder for PhoenixRC Simulator: PhoenixRC
Unzip the folder and copy the folder and its contents to the location included in the instructions...
UPDATE: The Phoenix RC software is no longer supported and the online Server has been closed. To update your software to v6.0 and for all information about Phoenix RC, go to https://www.rc-thoughts.com/phoenix-sim/
3RD OCTOBER 2018East Anglia Chairmans Conference
The Conference was arranged by the BMFA East Anglia Regional Chaiman and was attended by approximately 25 delegates representing Clubs from around Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex. BMAC was represented by John Gillingham (Chairman) and Mark Adams (Acting Secretary).
Representatives from the BMFA spoke on several topics, in particular, the upcoming BMFA membership portal "Go Membership!" and how Clubs can use the internet and Social Media to attract new members.
Notes from the meeting and details of new GDPR regulations can be downloaded here: EACC_03-10-18
18th SEPTEMBER 2018Members Poll Results - Newsletter #01
A questionnaire was recently issued to all members to gauge opinion on the proposal to purchase the flying field from the Council and whether Club members would be willing to donate towards the potential cost.
9th september 2018Extraordinary General Meeting
An EGM was held at the flying field to discuss the proposal from Breckland Council to purchase the flying field as they wished to dispose of the asset. The Council also proposed that the Club could continue to lease the field for another 6 years, however, the new Landlord would not be liable to renew the lease after that time.