The meeting was attended by the BMFA, SAA, BARCS, and ourselves. Attending from the CAA were George Duncan and two of his admin staff with whom we deal on a day to day basis, Jason Phelan and Sue Duncan.

The LMA had already held a meeting with the BMFA in November so that we could discuss common issues and this proved to be very fruitful at the meeting with the CAA.

There were a variety of topics – quite a few of them being BMFA issues. These related to Airprox reports (this is where a full size aircraft officially reports a “close encounter” with a model aircraft). First Person R/C which is a method of flying by wearing a type of “head up” display helmet, and the permissions given for aerotowing sites where flight above 400’ takes place.

The topics of interest to the LMA related to :-

LMA Over 20kg Administration and Audit

Once again we received excellent re-assurance about our professional approach to the administration of the Scheme and the quality of our audit controls. Since the last meeting several changes had taken place to the forms used to apply for Exemptions and the CAA were very pleased with the new application system.

2.4Ghz

We reported that we now had 12 Over 20kg aircraft operating on 2.4Ghz and all had been operating quite safely without any problems. It was anticipated that there would be an increasing number over the next 12 months and we gave an assurance that the diligent procedures in place would be maintained.

Over 20kg ARTF

We reported that there had been a growing increase in Over 20kg ARTF and our Inspectors have been liaising with some of the outlet factories providing these type of aircraft, in some cases, obtaining photographs of important aspects of the factory build processes. They had also been successfully liaising with jet manufacturers specifically and asking them to address perceived weaknesses in some of the structural aspects.
It was agreed that where possible Inspectors would get the registered owner of the project to provide them with the manufacturers recommendation in terms of engine size etc.

Over 20kg Gliders

This subject was raised again by the CAA – the issue being that were more and more very large gliders being brought into the country and there was some concern that they should be brought into the Scheme. The safety record of the Aerotow community seemed to indicate that this was not necessary but it was left to the BARCS representative to “sound out” this issue with them.

Model Display Inspections

There were 2 minor aspects resulting from CAA Inspections of LMA events during 2009 – these related to the number of loudspeakers at events and control of photographers. Dave gave re-assurance that these 2 issues had been addressed.
One other issue which related to both BMFA and LMA events was the consumption of alchohol on the flight line and being under the influence of alchohol or drugs when displaying or being involved in organisation of public events. The CAA made it quite clear that this was an “endangering offence” under the ANO and the issues should be clearly signposted at flight line entrance gates and also included in the pilots briefing at the start of the event.

Exemption Renewals

For some time now we have been trying to persuade the CAA that the time consuming and labour intensive nature of annual renewals should be reviewed. I outlined the new procedures now introduced throughout Europe by EASA in respect of full size aircraft. This had resulted in the aircraft being given a lifetime Certificate of Airworthines subject to an adherence to a maintenance schedule and an Annual Certificate issued by an approved maintenance company.
It was agreed that this would be carried forward outside the meeting between the CAA and LMA.

CAA Charges

This issue was raised again by the CAA – they have to demonstrate to their regulation body that there is a “token” gesture by the modelling organisations towards the cost of Exemptions. After quite a long discussion it was agreed that applications for public events only would attract a charge of £23 per Exemption (the LMA would have 6 to pay). Fortunately we have missed the deadline for the publication of the scale of charges for 2010 so we will need to start implementing this in 2011!!

Tony Hooper
LMA CAA Liaison Officer.