INTRODUCTION TO BRIGHTLINGSEA MODEL FLYING CLUB

SSHHHHSSHHH ..........Listen........Would you like to join a really quiet, friendly flying club? If you fly electric or gliders then you will be very welcome. If you are a power flier then we may not have much to offer you, but read on just in case. We have access to two large, completely flat sites with nothing to hit (but the ground!) for at least 200 metres in any direction. Sounds good doesn't it, so what's the problem? Well, both sites have been used by power fliers before but complaints from the neighbours were swift and effective. If we are to operate from these sites it is essential that we do nothing to cause annoyance. Do you see producing super quiet models that can fly without upsetting the neighbours as an interesting challenge rather than an imposition?Are you content to fly slowly and in a non-aggressive manner? Do you enjoy searching for thermals with a glider or electric? Is one of your main reasons for joining a club to meet with other modelers? Would you enjoy a day where you can bring a deck chair and sandwiches, do a bit of 'extremely quiet' power flying, have a chat and then fly electric or glide until dusk? No, then throw this in the bin! If you are still reading then here is a bit more detail:

SITES Our main site has a full size grass airstrip, crops are grown either side of it.This is for ‘limited’ IC power and electric.Our second site is just half a mile away; this is used when gliders are being flown.It must be for silent flight only (the one exception being brief flights by tugs launching gliders).

TYPES OF MODELS Our ‘neighbours’ dictate that the vast majority of models flown by club members are thermal soaring gliders or electrics. A few members have fixed wing trainers, fun-flies, vintage models or small helicopters.High-speed models are not appropriate and noise has to be limited to about one third of the normally accepted level.We expect that those members who are serious power fliers will belong to a second club in addition to our own.

CLUB ACTIVITIES Several of our members are retired and a quick phone call will usually find someone to go thermal hunting with.We run both monthly and annual competitions for glider and electric soaring.Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month.Each March we hold a nationally advertised Tabletop Sale.

FLYING SCHEDULES  Glider & Electric: No restrictions but if you want company then Thursday and Saturday afternoons are the most popular. IC Power: Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Some flying during the working day is possible by advising the committee of your intentions.

FREQUENCY CONTROL Our two main sites are on opposite sides of the same road. For this reason each member is allocated ONE frequency on joining the club.Our flying membership is limited to 16 by the landowner.

CHARGES FOR THE YEAR 2008 Non-flying membership£5 (come to our meetings, find out about flying models, have 3 trial flights). Full flying membership£35 (plus £28 BMFA insurance if you don't already have it). Unfortunately the club is now full for this year but please contact us if you would like to be put on the waiting list.

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