The next in line is the DH2 pusher and the 'DIXIE@ the Sopwith triplane.  

Something else for the legislators to worry about................

I won't relate the full story, this'll be long enough, but I have ended up co-running "Kent Kopters", which is a BMFA affiliated club with the prime aim of helping beginners to get going with RC Helicopters in a safe indoor environment (all types inc quads, etc).

Due to management policy changes at our long term operating base, Charles Darwin Sports Centre (School implant), Biggin Hill, Kent and in order to operate ongoing we have to book ahead, pay up front, and meet the full panoply of sporting club criteria inc safeguarding policy, DBS (formerly CRB) compliance, insurance, etc. I have gone through and met all the new hoops for centre requirements.

Our fortnightly meetings have also at short notice been changed by the Centre from a Tues to a Thurs, though times are currently as before, 20:00 to 22:00. This occured as we were unable to pre-pay and book as far ahead as other non RC sports clubs wanting to use the facility.

The hall hire has also doubled from March though to be fair, the amount we pay as an existing hirer is still very reasonable compared to other current rates for sports space in halls, etc.

Our main problem is that we can no longer survive on a "receive funds only if people attend" basis, and of course these changes have occured at the worst possible time, summer, when INDOOR flying is understandably not paramount in peoples minds.

The bottom line is that if we cannot fund the advance booking process on an ongoing basis from NOW, there will be NO possibility to get back into this space and all possibility of Indoors in the area through next autumn/winter will have been lost.

So, there you have it, you now know the dilemma. I have probably two weeks to resolve the matter one way or the other. Its therefore put up or shut up time. I have done what I can to ensure a facility exists.

PM me if you think I have not wasted my time and want to participate!

These are all Fridays, all 20:00 - 22:00 (later than before to give workers more chance of attending) :-

2013

15th November

13th December

2014

17th January

7th February

as before, £6 per session, all sessions are pre-book only NO turn up and fly, as like last season I'm controlling numbers to the minimum group size to try to break even overall while giving the maximum possible flying time to attendees.

Please advise interest by PM if not already contacted by EMail.

Regards,

Dave Bran

These were strictly invite/pre book only, NO turn up and fly.

Keeping to very low numbers to get the best combination of people against hall space, and with a level of pre-booking/payment I just about broke even over the season, having £2 in hand over the hall fees to start this year with!!!

Despite another Sports Hall closure in the area putting more pressure on hall bookings at CD, it looks as though I will be able to offer similar for the 2013-2014 season of end Oct/Nov - March. A change from last year may be an hour later start to 20:00 - 22:00 which might help those getting from work or travelling any distance. Probably one per month.

If I have NOT already been in touch with you, and you'd like to take part or know more, PM me here.

Dave