Meteors Model Flying Club
A NEW FLYING SITE HAS BEEN SEEDED AND IS GROWING WELL.
The Committee
Our committee consists of Chairman Dave, Secretary John, Treasurer Andy, Phil, Richard, Chris and Martin.
History
Now known as Meteors it was born out of the club that originally operated from the Cowley motor works sports field. The club is affiliated to the British Model Flying Association which affords a number of benefits such as £25,000,000 third party insurance cover, safety and legal advice etc. Affiliation requires all club members to also have membership of the BMFA. Full details of the BMFA and insurance cover can be found at their website. A new government requirement is in place for CAA registration of all solo fliers (i.e. those not under training on a linked buddy-box transmitter), details can be found on the front page of the BMFA website.
We were originally known as the Romanway club it was first formed in 1969 as a section of the Pressed Steel Fisher Sports and Social Club off Romanway Oxford. The committee and 80% of the members had to be employees of the company, however, this was relaxed when the company became Rover Cars and discontinued when taken over by BMW. Many events were organised, club 20 pylon racing (one member becoming national champion) also two types of glider events open and 100 inch also scale, vintage and electric plus fun events. Public events such as the yearly model flying shows were first run in 1983. The social club did not receive the same support from BMW as before, requiring them to hire out the grounds to other organisations, severely reducing model flying times, therefore it was decided to form the present Meteors club on a new site giving almost unrestricted flying times. The name “Meteors” was revived from the original club in the Oxford area which was disbanded some decades ago then revived and renamed as the Oxford Model Flying Club with which we have a close relationship. Facilities Until 2020 the club currently made use of a field near the village of Blechingdon north of Oxford. A friendly farmer allowed the use of a field at Frog’s Nest Farm. We were lucky to have had this facility which had a wide open space in which to fly a variety of R/C model types, including all the usual ones, fixed wing, helicopters, and occasionally gliders. Since Frogsnest Farm changed owernership in 2020 we suspended operations there and have subsequently been in the process of establishing a new site near Wheatley at Hollands Beef Farm. Flight training We have a number of instructors for flight training and 3 examiners for BMFA 'A' and 'B' fixed-wing tests. New members are welcome and training is available for novices on a voluntary basis buy our club instructors. A club trainer plane is available for first time pilots to try which is controlled by an instructor using a master transmitter linked to the student’s transmitter (both supplied by the club). Control can be handed over at the flick of a switch and taken back if the student gets into difficulty, thereby eliminating any risk or damage. Trainee pilots are obliged to equip themselves with their own trainer plane after the first few sessions with the club’s trainer so that they may progress and get used to their own gear and preserve the club’s assets. When a learner gets to be proficient in basic flying, taking-off, landing and circuits, a test for basic competency is required before the pilot is allowed fly unaccompanied. This is the BMFA “A” fixed wing test. This will be conducted by one of the 3 BMFA registered examiners in the club. There are similar tests for helicopters etc. More advanced tests are required before a pilot can fly at public displays. Before a novice purchases any equipment it is strongly recommended that they talk to club members about the best type to buy. There may be more than one opinion so it’s worth getting a consensus before spending hard earned cash. Training will resume when the field is fully ready for flying. Visitors Visitors to the club are welcome to fly providing there are regular members of the club present and they show proof of BMFA or recognised model flying association membership that carries equivalent 3rd party insurance also they must hold a minimum of an A cert and CAA operators number to fly unaccompanied. Those who visit more than 3 times will be asked to apply for membership of the club. A complete set of club rules are available on request.