This years SMAE AGM was very well attended, probably because the Society had published a one-off newsletter (dare I say it?) publishing the fact and the need for appointments for its various technical committees. This latter fact led to an almost embarrassing number of proposals for some of the committees and the non-election of potentially useful members in favour of better known 'names'.
As one who was rooting for the appointment of Kath Watson as the Societies first woman Chairman, I was delighted when this actually happened. I look forward to a period of greater common sense and directness in the SMAE's approach to many things.
The subject of insurance became a major issue with the revealing of the fact that until mid- day on the day before that AGM it appeared that there would be no insurance cover available for 1988. Only at the eleventh hour had the existing insurers come forward with a new offer at a premium of some �4 per head. This was accompanied by the condition that there would be no cover available for 1989 unless the claims record was substantially improved.
One of the more contentious issues was that of the advisability of changing the title of the society to one which reflected its activities a little more accurately. Not surprisingly, there was some emotional opposition to this - I did have rather mixed feelings myself. However, it was stressed that the actual title would remain the same and it was a working title that was required which would sound a little less grandiose and give such bodies as the Sports Council a more immediate idea of just who we were and what we represented.
Eventually, a vote was taken in favour of such a move, although the new title has still not been decided. As one well-known modeller was heard to remark - "As the twenty first century approaches, the Society is dragged, kicking and screaming, into the twentieth!"
I am indebted to Dereck Woodward, of RAF ST.Mawgan for the following:
"Have you seen the new form of model flight that we have got down in the wilderness here? It could best be described as RSC which stands for Radio Semi-Control, but is also known as electronic control line. The 'pilot' stands in a field and slowly revolves following a model flying in a loose left hand pattern around him at more or less constant distance and any old height.
"The truly skilled are oblivious of the models passage over any available crowds, car parks, public roads, etc. This committee of model, wind and some operator interference has its circling monotony interrupted by the odd loop or roll and, eventually, a landing. These, of course, have no relationship or connection with wind, sun or obstacles performed over, or through.
"Many do this effectively single handedly by selecting the two speed engine control to 'full' (as opposed to 'stop'), grasping the transmitter in the left hand and applying odd corrections with the right stick. This is only used for full deflections - of course.
"As a lot of these erratic R(S)C/L flyers are classed as safe, competent pilots by dint of having passed the SMAE Achievement Scheme 'A' and 'B' tests and are deemed safe to perform in all sorts of public places, perhaps this aspect of flight safety should be closely examined."
To avoid possible cries of sour grapes, Dereck points out that he is an SMAE examiner and has some 4000 hours in RAF Nimrods.
Well, Dereck, I don't think you are in the wilderness at all. We have a perfect example of the type that you mean in my own club and he is an airline captain! (Hope that doesn't invalidate your own disclaimer.)
He has been known to fly so low over his own car that his wife got out and walked away to a safer position. Any attempt to comment on his flying style produced the remark, "I fly aeroplanes for a living matey, I don't write about them!"
As far as the Achievement Scheme is concerned, it does seem to have fallen a little by the wayside - like type approval of R/C equipment.
As stated last month, the subject of safety has produced the largest postbag yet seen by this column. The comments regarding the insurance situation as noted in the first item above must give rise to some further thoughts on the situation.
The SMAE insurance has been formulated by informed individuals who have acquainted the insurers with the exact situation concerned regarding the risks involved with model aircraft. However, I do wonder whether the company concerned is aware of of the situation at some public displays, with enormous 'models' being operated by individuals of doubtful competency. My personal feeling is that we cannot allow this situation to continue for fear of one nationally publicised incident bringing an end to all modelling as we know it.
We have already dealt with the matter of the pressure which can be exerted to allow something inadvisable to continue once the public are already present and expecting a show regardless of conditions, etc. Surely the remedy is not to arrange such a show in the first place. After all, what is its purpose anyway. Surely not to 'sell' modelling to the public, when what is on show is far removed from ordinary modelling.
Are we trying to convince Joe Public that he can take up this wonderful hobby and go straight on to a third scale Spitfire? Or a pulse jet powered R/C model?
Would it not be better if we tried selling modelling to the public as it really is? Ah, yes, but that would not make much of a show for the uninformed, would it? And that would not bring in much money, would it?
Perhaps we should now drop the subject for a while so that you do not all get totally bored by it.
Dereck Woodward (not him again) assures me that there is no truth in the rumour that recent press coverage of the new London Stolport actually used Jeremy Shaw's Dash-7 airliner model because:
a) It made the Stolport look bigger, and
b) It was quieter than the real thing.
Thank you, Dereck.
Incidentally, in a recent edition of the London Evening Standard it was alleged that STOLPORT actually stood for Slightly Tired Off-Loaded Pissed-Off Retail Traders.