I FEEL I must speak out for my hobby of model flying, which the media has given a rather unbalanced view.

The recent stories of drones also known as multi-rotors or quadcopters involved with near misses of aircraft, carrying drugs and contraband into prisons and the last big story of the Gatwick shutdown has now created a whole new raft of measures to try to combat the irresponsible and illegal operators of these aerial devices.

The increased legislation from the Dept of Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority which is due to come into force in November 2019 is an attempt to control the misuse of these drones by registration of the operator of these aircraft.

Will these new laws stop the irresponsible operator flying in or near controlled airspace such as airports and aerodromes? Not likely at all.

The knock-on effect of this new legislation is going to affect anyone wishing to use or fly a model aircraft over 250 grammes which the CAA now names them as small unmanned aircraft.

Every operator will have to register on a new CAA website which they are going to charge they estimate at £16.80 per year for administration purposes and register every model aircraft they wish to fly. This could mean every model aircraft with registration numbers!

Plus an online test every three years to verify that you can fly safely and know the contents of the Air Navigation Orders issued by the CAA for small unmanned aircraft.

The British Model Flying Association – BMFA –has been in existence since the beginning of the 20th century and the days of early flight and has promoted safe flying, advises on model aircraft flight and also arranges public liability insurance for model pilots at present £10 million. The BMFA strangely enough was not invited to be involved in the early discussions where they could speak out for the model flying community which stands at around 130,000, but is falling year-on-year.

As a member of a large local model aero club we have worked hard over the years to promote model aircraft flying to all ages and genders to take up this hobby by holding open days and flying displays at charitable events to encourage young people to leave the game console and learn to fly properly. Our club only fly fixed wing aircraft as many other clubs do too and we are not at fault over incursions into restricted fly zones, prisons or hovering over someone's back garden but we are going to pay the price dearly for the very small minority who wish to fly illegally.

Many club members have invested serious time and hard-earned money into this hobby but with these new added fees and near draconian legislation many may just drop out and the future of model flying will be doomed.

So, you may quite understand why we are very angry and dismayed.

PHILLIP CHRISTOPHER FORD

Chestnut Way, Burton, Christchurch