The RAFMAA Charter

RAFMAA Today

Royal Air Force Model Aircraft Association

(Air Publication 3415, Sect 4, Chap 1.)

Charter

1. The Royal Air Force Model Aircraft Association (RAFMAA), hereinafter called the Association, was founded in October 1949.

2. The primary aim of the Association shall be to increase the awareness and interest of Service personnel in the science and art of flying. In order to achieve this primary aim the Association shall:

a. Foster interest among eligible personnel in becoming Members of the Association.

b. Facilitate safe flying of model aircraft, underpinned by a sound understanding of model aerodynamics and construction techniques.

c. Encourage Members to develop skills in designing and building model aircraft and promote better understanding of related full-size aviation topics.

d. Organise competition between Members within or between Association clubs or with civilian equivalents in: designing, building, and flying model aircraft; to build team spirit, and improve aero modelling competencies.

3. In the event of the Association being dissolved, surplus assets will be returned to the RAF Central Fund.

Membership Categories

4. Full Membership is open to:

a. All Serving personnel of the RAF.

b. Members of other Armed Forces of the Crown serving with the RAF.

c. Personnel of Commonwealth and Allied Forces serving under RAF command.

5. Honorary Membership:

a. Is an award recognising services to the Association and the sport.

b. May be proposed by any Full Member and ratified by the AGM.

c. Serving members are not eligible for Honorary membership.

d. Honorary members have no vote.

6. Associate Membership is open to:

a. Members of other Armed Forces of the Crown not serving with the RAF.

b. Members of the Reserve Forces of the RAF, University Air Squadrons, Air Training Corps and Combined Cadet Force (Air Element).

c. Ex-Service personnel of the Armed Forces of the Crown.

d. Service Dependants.

e. Personnel of Commonwealth and Allied Forces serving under the command of other Armed Forces of the Crown.

f. Civilian staff employed on a long-term basis on MoD contracts located in MoD establishments or as part of MoD/Industry partnering arrangements. Note: For Unit encroachment purposes, these members may be considered as ‘Service’ personnel in accounting terms iaw extant Defence Estates Policy.

g. Civilians who offer their services as instructors or who provide specialist advice and equipment for general use.

7. Junior Membership: is sub-category of Associate membership open to under 16s.

Membership Rights and Constraints

a. Full Members may vote on issues put before them in Committee.

b. Honorary Members have no voting rights.

c. Associate Members have no voting rights.

d. With the exception of Service dependants and Reserve Forces on full time contracts, civilians’ subscriptions and other charges are normally to be set higher than for Full Members.

e. Associate Membership numbers must be less than that of Full Membership.

Officials

8. President. A President is appointed by the Director of the RAF Sports Board (DSB(RAF)) on the advice of interested parties including the outgoing President and Chairman.

9. Chairman. A Chairman is appointed by (DSB(RAF)) on the advice of interested parties including the President and the outgoing Chairman. The Chairman shall take the chair at the AGM and at Executive Committee Meetings (ECM). In the case of an equal vote at these meetings, the Chairman shall have the casting vote.

10. Vice Chairman. A Vice Chairman is appointed by the Chairman to deputise for the Chairman in his absence.

Annual General Meeting

11. An AGM shall be called by the Chairman annually and the agenda published at least 4 weeks before the Meeting. All self-accounting Units in the UK are eligible to send one representative to the meeting. Including the Chairman and Members of the Executive Committee, a quorum of 10 participants is required for an AGM to be valid.

12. The AGM shall elect an Executive Committee comprising the following members (Note: in exceptional circumstances, committee posts ‘c’ to ‘o’ may be held by an Honorary Member.):

a. Secretary.

b. Treasurer.

c. Membership Secretary.

d. Competition Secretary.

e. Power Member.

f. Silent Flight Member.

g. Control Line Member.

h. Indoor Member.

j. Public Relations Officer (PRO) & British Model Flying Association (BMFA) Council Representative.

k. Property Member.

l. Equipment Scheme Member.

m. BMFA Achievement Scheme Co-ordinator.

n. Airman’s Representative.

o. Newsletter Editor.

Note: An Executive Committee Member may hold more than one appointment at the Chairman’s discretion.

13. Terms of Reference for these members are to be issued by the Chairman.

14. The AGM is to be presented with the audited accounts of the Association for discussion and acceptance. Reports from various appropriate members of the Executive Committee are also to be presented.

Executive Committee Meetings

15. Executive Committee Meetings (ECM) are to be held at least 3 times per year to discuss ongoing business and develop policy. A quorum shall be 4 members, including the Chairman.

16. The Executive Committee shall be empowered to deal with matters of urgency and to investigate and, if necessary, deal with reports of misconduct or any other matters referred to it. It shall undertake the organisation and administration of the RAF, Inter-Service Championships and representative fixtures, including the selection of the RAF Representative teams.

Financial Year

17. The financial year of the Association shall close on 31 December each year. All Association accounts are to be presented to the auditors within 6 weeks of the end of the financial year. A copy of the audited accounts shall be passed to the RAF Sports Board for information.

The British Model Flying Association (BMFA).

18. The Association is an Area (Number 14) within the BMFA, (formally the Society of Model Aeronautical Engineers (SAME)). The Chairman of the Association is also the Chairman of BMFA Area 14 and represents the Association at BMFA Area Council meetings. All RAFMAA Members must be BMFA Members.

Insurance.

19. Insurance cover is provided through the BMFA. This may be obtained by joining or renewing BMFA membership through RAFMAA or separately by the individual directly with the BMFA. This policy covers member-to-member insurance, third party claims and the indemnity necessary for model flying on MOD property. Full details are available from the Treasurer.

20. RAFMAA Competitions. Membership of the Association permits entry for all competitions organised by the Association and the award of trophies and prizes for winners. Copies of the competition rule book are available from the Newsletter Editor.

Club Affiliation

21. Each club is to affiliate to the Association annually by forwarding member’s fees to the treasurer. One person alone can, if need be, constitute a club.

Association Examiners.

22. Members may be granted Club or Area Examiner status under the rules and guidance of the BMFA. The AGM is to ratify any new or existing examiners and the Achievement Scheme Co-ordinator is to pass this information to the BMFA Head Office each January.

Reference and Associated Publications

23. Defence Lands Handbook.

Estate Surveying Services Code.

British Model Flying Association (BMFA) Handbook.

RAF Model Aircraft Association Handbook.

DCI Gen –Encroachments.

DCI Occasional use of MOD Facilities for Recreational or other purposes.

GAI 5026 Installation of Private Radio Apparatus on MOD(RAF) Controlled Property.

AP 3379 Accommodation and Equipment (RAF).

AP 830 Scale E57 Hobbies and Clubs(RAF).

GAI (TBD) The use of the Ministry of Defence Facilities in the UK for Model Aircraft.

Flying by Service Personnel and other Government Employees (U).

Top of Page