Here is the latest information we have from the BMFA regarding flying during the Foot and Mouth outbreak.

A update from BMFA General Secretary Graham Lynn MBE.

In his speech to the Chamber of Commerce on 28th March the Prime Minister stated that the Countryside was open for business with such commercial activities as pubs, hotels and some tourist attractions operating normally. In addition, he did add that Councils had been asked to review their closure notices on footpaths and where possible, if they were in areas unaffected by foot and mouth, to consider a relaxation. However, he did stress that farm land and those areas of the countryside where livestock is grazed,or has been grazed, remained largely closed for access.

That said it is quite possible that in areas totally unaffected by foot and mouth, where the land is used primarily for growing crops and no animals are grazed, then access may be possible. I did indicate in my previous statement that the person who will ultimately decide if you can gain access to your flying area is the landowner/siteowner.

Clearly Club committees, or where appropriate individual flyers, should maintain a close dialogue with their landowner/siteowner. It may be possible that in some areas, as outlined above, model flying may be able to resume. However, there are many factors to be considered and from what I hear the situation can vary dramatically from area to area. So our advice remains the same:

Speak to your landowner/siteowner and discuss the local situation with them. But remember you must have their permission to proceed before your contemplate entering their land.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and issue further advice or guidance, as appropriate.

Please be aware many model flying events in the UK continue to be postponed or cancelled because of this outbreak. We recommend that you double check with event organisers before travelling.

Graham Lynn MBE General Secretary

The BMFA will be monitoring the situation very closely and will notify members of any further developments. When further information is available it will be on the website and in the BMFA News. Many model flying events in the UK will be postponed or cancelled and we recommend that you double check with event organisers before travelling anywhere.

Click here for a full list of events which are already affected.

When further information is available it will be on the BMFA web site and in the BMFA News.

Contingency Plans for BMFA Slope League
Calling all F3F and EPP Pylon Race flyers.

As you know we have already lost the first two BMFA league events due to FMD. In view of this the South Wales Soaring Association have agreed to redesignate a couple of non-league events later in the season, and with luck we can use them to claw back some of the lost time.

• 1. The Welsh Open (29/30th September) will be designated as an F3F League event.
• 2. League 6 Reserve (7th October) will be upgraded to be a definite fixture for F3F and 60" EPP Pylon.

I am also reserving an option to extend the season into early November, by adding one or two extra weekends as necessary. In summary: please add the dates in (1) and (2) to your diary, and try and keep weekends in October and November free. Further updates to follow.

Mike Shellim (UK League Coordinator) League calendar: http://www.rc-soar.com/bmfa_league