Present

Wg Cdr M A Evans

Air Cdre R McAlpine

Flt Lt A Rogers

WO I Nelson                   

Chf Tech C Barker          

Chf Tech D Platts            

Cpl D Houston                      

Cpl P Bellingham            

SAC L Wilson                 

Mr G Ellis                       

Mr P Morgan                   

Mr C Waite                     

Chf Tech M Paffett           

President

Chairman

Treasurer

Achievement Scheme Co-ordinator

Control Line Sec

Competition Sec

Property Member  

Equipment Scheme & Airmans’ Rep

Silent Flight Sec

Power Sec

Indoor Sec

Newsletter Editor

PRO & BMFA Delegate  / Sec

Stations Represented

(36 Members)

RAF Brize Norton

RAF Chivenor

RAF Coningsby

RAF Cottesmore

RAF Cranwell

RAF Digby

RAF High Wycombe

RAF Leuchars

RAF Lyneham

RAF Marham

RAF Odiham

RAF Scampton

RAF Waddington

RNAS Yeovilton

Apologies

Flt Lt G Chiles

Secretary

Item

(a)

Decision

(b)

Action

(c)

1

Minutes of Last Meeting

1.     The Chairman welcomed those present to the 57^th Annual General Meeting of the Royal Air Force Model Aircraft Association.

2.     The minutes from the last meeting, held at RAF Honington on the 2 September 2006, were reviewed and agreed to be a true and accurate record of the meeting.  Proposed: Sqn Ldr Ian Pallister, Seconded: Cpl Paul Bellingham, Carried unanimously.

2

Actions &Matters Arising from Last Meeting

8.4.a     List of OIC RAFMAA clubs.  This action is complete and closed.

8.4.b     Distribution of newsletter hard copies.  This action is closed.

8.4.c      Items for the RAFMAA newsletter.  This action is closed, but all members were reminded of the need to provide input to the Association newsletter.

3

Treasurer’s Report

1.    The Treasurers reported that the association funds stand as follows:

Current Account   -  £2603.33

Savings Account  -  £5103.44

Total                     -  £7706.77

2.    The treasurer went on to explain that, whilst the fund is healthier than at this time last year, it is almost entirely due to more generous Area 14 operation costs support provided by the BMFA.  In the near future the association must be prepared for major capital expenditure to replace property, including the caravan.  For this reason the Treasurer proposed to the AGM that the Association subscription was raised from £5 to £10.

 3.    A vote to accept the statement of accounts was proposed by Cpl Paul Bellingham, seconded by WO Ian Nelson, and carried unanimously.

 With no dissent, the vote to increase the subscription was proposed by Chf Tech Dan Platts, seconded by Chf Tech Chris Barker, and carried unanimously.

4

Competition Secretary’s Report

The Competition Sec provided the following account:

1.        This year’s competition started with the Slope 1 meeting in October last year with changeable but useable weather conditions that allowed some worthwhile competition to be flown, followed by the Indoor 1 meeting at Digby in November. Both events were reasonably well attended with the Associate and Honorary members contributing hugely to the organisation and participation.

2.        March saw the return to the hills of the slope soaring fraternity with Slope 2 being held down in Wiltshire. Although only the Cross Country competition took place, the weekend was considered a success as a good deal of flying took place. Indoor 2 took place in April with some beautiful scale models being displayed, however no competition took place due to lack of a suitable spread of entrants. A lot of indoor flying did take place, the gym at Digby buzzing to the sound of Shockies, indoor helicopters and other indoor RC aircraft.

3.        The Thermal Soaring event was scheduled to be held in August, and after scratching around for a suitable venue Scampton was decided upon, unfortunately due to accommodation problems and a severe lack of competitors the event was called off. Sadly the lack of subscribers continued throughout the RAF Championships with no results being posted for any Thermal event this year. It could be argued that next year it would be easy to monopolise the Thermal flying and bag a nice selection of silverware.

4.        Easter Bank holiday was the date picked for the RAFMAA Warbirds event, held at a sleepy RAF Scampton. The event was considered a huge success continuing in the previous year’s vein. Further assistance is requested from all members of RAFMAA to ensure that the next one works too, the task of publicising the event within the Service sphere should not be taken lightly, it’s surprising how many latent modellers can be enthused back into the hobby after attending these events!

5.        Continuing in the style of this year’s summer weather, the Waddington Fly-in was a blustery and wet affair with little in the way of preparation for the main champs which have been planned perfectly to coincide with the start of the British/Indian summer, unfortunately someone forgot to tell the God of wind. With a well attended Champs underway, the Control Line boys were quickest off the mark having set up and started competing before the caravan was fully set up, there is merit in not having to worry about Tx control, having a firm grip on the handle is sufficient. A good balance of competition and ‘off the peg’ flying followed for the next three days with the titles hotly contested. Although the lack of Thermal competition was disappointing the Champs appears to have been a success, with a few newcomers, great flying, challenging judging and a baptism of fire, I know I enjoyed it.

6.        Overall this year’ s competitions have been on par with recent years with regards to attendance, it is obvious that many of the more niche competitions are almost completely undertaken by a small but dedicated group, without whom many of the classes would die off. Emphasis should be put on supporting these competitions in the coming year with the more mainstream RC enthusiasts being encouraged to diversify and try something different.

5

Ratification of Honorary Members

1.    WO Ian Nelson spoke eloquently of the enormous contribution made by Mr Dave Towel (recently retired from the Service) to this, and previous, RAFMAA Main Championships held at RAF Honington and of his unstinting support to RAFMAA during his Membership.  He emphasised the fact that the organisation of the events would have been very much more difficult without Mr Towel’s efforts. 

2.    WO Nelson proposed Mr Towel for Honorary Membership of the Association, which was seconded by Cpl Paul Bellingham.  The meeting voted unanimously to accept the proposal.

6

Election of Officials

1.    The Chairman informed the meeting that he had received several requests for changes to the Executive Committee posts:

a.    Mr Philip Morgan stood down as Indoor Comp Sec. 

b.    Mr Geoff Ellis stood down as Power Comp Sec.

2.    The Chairman formally expressed his gratitude to Mr Ellis and Mr Morgan for their efforts in support of the Association through the Executive Committee.  The meeting responded by acclamation.

3.    With new candidates to fill most vacant posts, the Chairman suggested the following Executive Committee to the AGM:

Chairman  -  Wg Cdr Mick Evans, by appointment.

Treasurer  -  Flt Lt Andy Rogers

Secretary  -  Flt Lt Garry Chiles (Note:  Owing to his posting to Germany, it was likely that the Secretary would stand down in the near future.  The Chairman would seek a replacement for secondment to the Executive Committee at the appropriate time.)

Area Achievement Scheme Coordinator  -  WO Ian Nelson

Comp Sec  -  Chf Tech Dan Platts

Power Sec  -  Cpl Mike Matthias

Silent Flight Sec  -  SAC Lee Wilson

Indoor Sec  -  Chf Tech Martin Paffett

Control Line Sec  -  Chf Tech Chris Barker

Equip/PRO/BMFA Delegate  -  Cpl Paul Bellingham

Newsletter Editor  -  Mr Colin Waite

Property Member  -  Cpl Danny Houston

Airmans’ Representative  -  Jnr Tech James Goodright

4.    The new Executive Committee was proposed by Sqn Ldr Ian Pallister, seconded by WO Dick Mottram, and the vote carried unanimously.

7

AOB

1.      No other business had been notified to the Chairman or the Secretary.

8

Next Meeting

1.     The next AGM would be held at the 2008 RAFMAA Championships; expected to be held at RAF Honington at a date to be confirmed.

 2.     The Chairman closed the meeting at 20:05.