Supporting Scale Model Aircraft Flying in the UK
Dave Charles is the 2024 F4C British Champion
The BMFA Scale Technical Committee looks after all classes of scale models of powered aircraft including Free Flight, Control Line, Indoor and Radio Control, including Scale Helicopters. The committee also administers rules for competitions involving these models. The committee organises competitions throughout the year in various parts of the country including those to determine Scale National Champions in all Scale disciplines.
Communication
This new website is the primary source of information for all aspects of Scale model flying administered by the Scale Technical Committee. The Committee also issues a Scale Newsletter from time to time with contest reports and articles of interest. Newsletters are posted on this site but you can also request a direct mailing by subscribing to Scale News. If you subscribe to this site you will receive an email notifying you whenever a new post or new event is published. (You can unsubscribe at any time).
Competitions
The main BMFA Scale competitions held are the Scale Indoor Radio Control Nationals and the Scale Indoor Free Flight Nationals (usually held in April or early May at Wolverhampton University). The Scale Radio Control (fixed wing & helicopter), Scale Free Flight and Scale Control Line Nationals Until recently these were usually held at RAF Barkston Heath, Nr. Grantham in August), however, since the Covid restrictions, and until we are able to return to RAF Barkston Heath, the R/C and C/L Nationals have been held at the BMFA National Centre at Buckminster, with the Free Flight Nationals being held at Luffenham.
Other competitions for all types of flying Scale models are held at various locations in the North, Midlands, South and Northern Ireland enabling most flyers to attend at least one without travelling too far. There are also several Scale classes flown at the Free Flight Nationals in May. The full competition programme with details of entry fees, location and who to contact can be found on the Calendar page.
The rules for all Scale competition classes and associated score sheets can be found on the Documents tab above. There is also a Judges' Guide which outlines what judges are looking for in each aspect of a competition. This document is also helpful for competitors, particularly those new to the contest scene.
The BMFA sends teams to represent Great Britain at World and European Championships (although there has not been a European Scale Championships for a number of years). Teams for International Scale Championships ( F4C & F4H) are selected using the scores from competitions held at various English, Scottish and Northern Ireland locations (including the National Championships) together with a dedicated 'Team Trials' event held at the end of the season; usually in September.
See British international successes and World Championship winners since 1970.