The Knebworth Model Flying Club (KMFC)
Contact Details: All enquiries re the operation and membership to the Hon. Secretary Richard Parnham: 07976 356470 or e-mail via our contact us page
The Knebworth Model Flying Club – operates only radio-controlled models; mainly fixed wing – and was formed in 1997 after the loss of the BAe Bragbury End club site; it is a fully affiliated to the British Model Flying Association (BMFA) in order to gain protection through third-party insurance and their recommendations for safe and responsible conduct: try:- www.bmfa.org.
All models and their operation shall be compatible with the recommendations contained in the BMFA Handbook. We operate the club as a licenced tenant of the Knebworth Estate, in a secluded field large enough for the most common sized models. It can be found close to the Stevenage, South Junction of the A1M near to the Novatel.
It must be most strongly emphasised that we take every effort to maintain good relations with our landlord and neighbours: Key features are causing no damage or litter and ensuring that only bona fide members, and guests under their control, have access to the site and that we fly safely and quietly with due regard to others.
We actively assist new members to integrate into our club, particularly those who have not yet passed the BMFA ‘A’ Certificate for Fixed Wing or Helicopters, which is a requirement for unsupervised flying. Our Rules and Constitution outline how we operate as a club and can be obtained via e-mail; we are a small club with a nominal limit of 50 members, covering mainly fixed wing but with some helicopter flyers.
Regular, formal meetings are not popular – most members live busy lives: discussions at the field and via e-mail suffice, but an AGM is held either in late November or early December to deal with significant issues and to fix subscription renewals for the club. These, and the BMFA fees, are due at the end of December and can be combined to maintain continuity of membership and insurance cover.
The gate key code is changed shortly afterwards, to preserve the site and us from the consequences of unauthorised access. Each member, on request, can receive a copy of the KMFC Constitution and Rules – preferably by e-mail. At the field, flying is by mutual arrangement – most members use 2.4GH, but 35 MHz systems are still found. Of course the weekend is the typical club flying time, particularly on a Sunday, but people do meet at the field at other times to suit their lifestyle. We can fly from 08:00 until dusk; with few restrictions on flying times – except as imposed by the Estate – for ‘pop concerts’ but regularly on certain days, during November to February. This freedom and our limited membership does mean that those who have passed the BMFA category ‘A’ examination can come and go to suit their commitments, so the site is seldom crowded. This may not lead to sociability, but remember – we are in it for us; we all have constraints on our lives and cannot hope to provide a general amenity service. Because of the informal way members choose to meet, juniors may only join or attend the club activities if they are supervised by a parent or acceptable guardian; this equally applies to vulnerable adults or other persons requiring special care. Sorry, but that is forced on us by circumstances beyond our control. If you are willing and able to fit in with all of the above, and there is a vacancy, you will be welcome. Newcomers may take some time to settle in, especially if they do not have the BMFA Achievement Scheme ‘A’ Certificate. We do actively train novices using a compatible ‘buddy box’ lead for fixed wing – not practical for helicopters – and then can arrange independent examinations granting clearance to fly solo, but It may be necessary to limit the pupils/instructor ratio to avoid overload. New members, having some experience, who wish to join, may have a trial flight under club supervision. All new members on joining will be on probation for three months. Novices will be assigned an instructor of recognised experience until they achieve the ‘A’ grade. When starting instruction, the instructor’s judgement on the suitability of the model, equipment and general flight aptitude must be accepted. But even under instruction, a pupil can still get the model into a situation where even the instructor cannot avoid a crash. Consequent damage is a risk of learning to fly, unfortunately, and must be borne by the pupil alone, although every effort and encouragement will be made to avoid this. Advice is freely available about suitable trainers, setting up the system and test flying. Electric powered models are becoming popular, but traditional internal combustion engines still have their place.
Good flying etiquette is important: advising others of their intentions when taking off and landing and avoiding flying over people and property – especially not over the pits, or outside the designated flying zone. We will ground persistent offenders if their flight and general conduct is not compatible with the welfare of the club or the Estate!