Area Delegates
Alan Paul
East Anglia
I was born in Jersey in 1956 and lived abroad in Africa, the Middle East and Far East until I returned full time to the UK to attend Liverpool University. I have always been mad keen on all aspects of aviation and dabbled with free flight, control line and radio control from an early age.
I had my first RC model when I was 13 – a galloping ghost rudder and throttle high wing trainer. I have always had some form of RC model since then. Whilst at Liverpool I joined the University Air Squadron and flew the Chipmunk and Bulldog. After leaving university I wanted to keep flying and the cheapest way was to defect to the Army and join the Army Air Corps. I spent 14 months at Middle Wallop in Hampshire learning to fly the Bell 47, Gazelle and Scout helicopters before being posted to Germany as an anti tank helicopter pilot defending the West against Soviet aggression. Flying RC models on the parade ground, my fellow pilots were alarmed to discover that flying RC was not as easy as it looked. I finished my 5 years in the Army at Oakington near Cambridge with 2,000 flying hours and discovered the Impington club were also flying on the airfield. Joining that club was my first encounter with SMAE, now the BMFA. Leving the Army I joined Marshall Aerospace as an engineering project manager and after 15 years and complaining once too often about the IT systems, I was made IT director and told to sort it out. I did this for 15 years before retiring in 2015. Since then I have spent much of my time model building and flying with a range of aircraft including fixed wing FPV and drones, indoor and outdoor aerobatics, floatplane flying, night flying and just about any model flying activity there is including buddy box training of newcomers to the hobby. I am currently a member of 3 local clubs and secretary of one. I am also a regular visitor to full size and model air shows up and down the country.
Read More...Martin Dilly, FSMAE
London
Started modelling in 1943 with an Airyda Blackburn Skua after first smelling doped fabric and ply and proper aromatic high octane fuel coming from rows of Whitleys and Hotspur gliders at RAF Hartford Bridge.
Joined West Kent MFC and SMAE in 1948; flying in competitions ever since. Joined Croydon & DMAC in 1949, flying C/L aerobatics, speed, combat, a little R/C (bang-bang rudder), flew early R/C slope soaring in 1960s, moved on to concentrate on F/F, mainly international class F1A gliders. Learned to glide at Detling, 1951 and to fly at Redhill and Croydon on Magisters and Tiger Moths in 1953 via a Flying Scholarship. RAF 1956-58 on ground radar, just missing Suez. Having several expatriate New Zealanders in the Croydon club led to a long involvement with the NZMAA, first as proxy flyer and team manager at F/F World Champs, starting with Kauhava in 1965 and as NZ delegate to CIAM since about 1970. I was made a life member of NZMAA in 1987. Other CIAM work has included chairing the Information & Education Committee and serving on several International FAI juries at World and European Championships. Managing the UK teams at World and Euro F/F Championships from 1980 to 2003 with a couple of years off makes me probably the next most experienced of the species after Viktor Eskov of the USSR and Russia. In parallel with this has been a lot of BMFA work, with an emphasis on the public relations side and the removal of inter-disciplinary blinkers, and work since 1970 towards Sports Council recognition of model flying, finally achieved about 25 years later. Despite 35 years as a TV cameraman for the BBC, Dilly Towers has always managed to avoid having a resident TV set, which may account for finding the time for it all. ‘All’ has included writing the Free-Flight and Foreign Flyers columns in Aeromodeller magazine for a period, co-founding Free Flight News, serving as BMFA PRO for two periods, editing and producing the SMAE newsletter, doing part of a TV series on modelling that still gets shown 20 years later, much to peoples’ amusement, representing BMFA on the Royal Aero Club Council, producing, editing and marketing most BMFA Free Flight Forum Reports annually since 1985, organising the Free Flight Forums, writing a couple of books on model flying, serving as London Area PRO since 1965 and as Council delegate since 1970. I was also heavily involved in the landmark Bromley public enquiry on model flying at a local park in the early 1970s, and in drafting the Home Office Code of Practice on Noise Limitation for Model Aircraft in 1970s. I was elected a Fellow in 1977 and received the Royal Aero Club silver medal in 1992. Current flying activity focuses on F1A, where the building of some carbon bunters and ‘Russian rod’ line has led to far more consistent towing and helped to compensate for the possible lack of launch energy at the bottom end of the towline. Other interests include jazz, baroque music, Eastern Europe and food.
Read More...Steve Mason
Midland
I started model flying at the age of 8 with a Keil Kraft Cadet that was made for me by my Uncle. My Father, Uncle and I used to fly free flight gliders, control line and radio in a grass field in Spalding, South Lincolnshire.
When I left school in 1971, I went to work for GEC Telecoms in Coventry as a Trainee Installation Engineer, installing and commissioning telephone exchanges all over the country. I eventually moved into System X Development. This led to me leaving the hobby for a period as I used to live away from home. Squash and water-skiing took over as my main interest and I built 2 boats during this period the last one was a 16ft speed boat with a V6 PPJet propulsion unit. It was in the early eighties that my interest was reignited and I joined the Bournestormers Model Club (in Bourne Lincs). I have fulfilled many roles within the club and am now the Vice Chairman. My arm was twisted by the late Mike Goldby into becoming a Club Examiner and was then persuaded into becoming an Area Chief Examiner and Area Chief Instructor by the Club Chairman at the time. Since then I have been appointed Midland Area Delegate and agreed to take over from Alan Penn as Achievement Scheme Coordinator for the Midland Area. I have held both positions for several years. I left GPT (formally GEC Telecoms) in 1996 to start a new career by taking over an electrical, lighting and model supply shop in Spalding. Over the years, the store gradually become more of a ‘model shop’ and we are now in the process of manufacturing our own range of RC aircraft model kits.
Read More...John McNamara
Northern
Modeller since the age of 7, building plastic models and free flight gliders and rubber powered models. Later at secondary school built free flight A1 and A2 gliders with a school friend. Dabbled in Electronics & photography too. At 13, I joined the ATC where my modelling education proper began.
Age: 68, Married with two children and 4 grandchildren, Lives in West Yorkshire. Occupation: Semi Retired, Owner of JettstreamUK Previous occupation prior to retirement: UK Sales Director, Meiller GHP, Paragon Group.u Career synopsis: 39 years as a print sales professional. Prior to this a Service Engineer for 3M Business Equipment Division. Further Education: Electronic and Mechanical Engineering. Modeller since the age of 7, building plastic models and free flight gliders and rubber powered models. Later at secondary school built free flight A1 and A2 gliders with a school friend. Dabbled in Electronics & photography too. At 13, I joined the ATC where my modelling education proper began. I was soon building control line stunt and combat models. Our squadron had a C/L Stunt demonstration team which displayed at local air shows and country fairs. I was taught to fly radio control at the age of 14. I had learned to fly full size gliders in the ATC and continued whilst in full time further education. Modelling took something of a back seat during this time, but once I was at work, I began to build several slope soarers and a couple of power models. I joined the West Yorkshire Model Flying Club at this time. In the late 70’s I began to be interested the possibilities of electric flight. After a great deal of failure, I put my education to work to build better performing equipment Such as inverter battery chargers and Electronic Speed Controllers, as well as rewinding motors to serve as prime movers. By the early 1980’s I had several successful electric powered gliders and powered aerobatic models. All these items are taken for granted these days and are readily available. I was always interested in scale models and started building scale gliders and powered scale models. Several where own designs, with mixed success. In the late 1990’s I became interested in Ducted Fans and built several models of this type. I made a lot of new friends at this time, most of which are still close fiends now, but some are passed, but not forgotten. After finally finding my stride in ducted fan, turbo jet engines appeared on the scene. For the last 20 + years I have spent most of my spare time pursuing jet flying. In 2003, with a close friend we founded the Elvington Model Flyers, a specialist club for Jet flyers. I am honoured to be the chairman of this club. I have also severed several periods on the committee of the West Yorkshire club and that is my current position. In 2019 I was asked if I would help the Northern Area which was very short of members. I then took on the role of Delegate for the Northern area. Subsequently I volunteered to work with a group of members from different areas to examine the purpose and direction of the BMFA areas. We have worked on a revised, updated and more relevant constitution for the BMFA areas as well as a revised guide to the constitution. I continue to be a life-long modeller, flying jets, gliders, scale and electric. I plan to dabble in multi-cylinder petrol-powered scale shortly too. There is always something new to learn and new challenges to overcome
Read More...Gary Armstrong
North East
I was born in Northumberland in November 1963 and grew up and still live in Newcastle upon Tyne. Aeromodelling in one form or another has been a part of my life since the age of 8 or 9 when my grandfather presented me with a beautifully built KeilKraft Gypsy rubber model.
This led to frequent trips to Newcastle Town Moor on a Sunday afternoon to fly it and to watch the antics of the local R/C fliers. I became hooked and spent the next few years building Airfix models and as my skills improved progressed to KeilKraft flying scale rubber models, free flight gliders and eventually control line. Christmas 1976 brought my first two channel 27mHz radio and after a couple of false starts when the local “expert” crashed my trainer, I taught myself to fly on a 100” thermal soarer. More power models followed, all two channel which if nothing else was great practice for landing from unusual situations as I was never quite sure when they would run out of fuel. I joined the newly formed Newcastle Model Flying Association in the spring of 1980 and have been a member ever since, it was soon after joining that I was introduced to precision aerobatics (F3A) and with a new six channel radio I set about learning as many of the manoeuvres as possible, before starting to fly competitively with the GBRCAA. I passed my BMFA “B” in the mid 1980’s and became a club instructor and examiner soon after, and in 1991 I was invited to become an Area Chief Examiner, a post I still hold today. I have been involved with the North East Area since 1986 when I was appointed club delegate for the Newcastle MFA, and initially served on the Area committee as the R/C discipline secretary. Subsequently I served as Area Vice-Chairman and currently I’m the Area Secretary, Delegate, and Achievement Scheme Coordinator. Although I no longer fly competitively, I still do some occasional judging at aerobatic competitions, and now fly large scale aerobatics, large warbirds and a variety of scale and non-scale slope soarers. As mentioned earlier aeromodelling has been a large part of my life and most of my working life has been in the model trade, starting with a Saturday job in “The Model Shop” on Blenheim Street in Newcastle, and then over 30 years with “Phills Models”, first in Heaton and then in North Shields, with a couple of years at Glens Models in Renfrew in between. I now work a couple of days a week with the team at FighterAces.
Read More...Chris Bradbury
North West
I actively take part in all disciplines of RC flying, and regularly fly Fixed Wing, Helicopters, Gliders and Drones. It’s a passion that has taken over my life and takes me around the country, and I love it.
I run two drone related businesses, one being a traditional drone photography/filming company, and the other a drone show (swarm) business. I also work part time for the BMFA as the ‘Drone Support Officer’, where I share my knowledge with those looking to fly drones.
If I’m not working with models and drones, I’m helping someone else get into it or progress, as I’m also an active Area Chief Examiner in the North West, as well as active on the Achievement Scheme Review Committee. Lastly, I’m the current editor of the BMFA News and collate the magazine each quarter to try and balance the content across all disciplines in a fair way.
Read More...Roy Tarbox
South Midland
Aside from a various spells of aeromodelling as a youngster, I started in earnest 2012 with micro models and park flyers. I thoroughly enjoy the designing and building aspects of the sport as well as the flying.
Ian Watts
South East
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David Smith
Southern
I am a retired NHS consultant anaesthetist wishing to give something back to aeromodelling now that I have a bit more time available. I became an aeromodeller as a teenager, firstly with KeilKraft free flight rubber kits and then with home-designed control line models running PAW diesels.
Finding control line unpleasantly dizzying, I obtained a 27 MHz MacGregor single channel ‘bang-bang’ set with which I lost several models before building a reed receiver from a magazine design and modifying the MacGregor to drive it. I built a two-channel digital proportional system, including the servos, in the early seventies, but it was too heavy for aircraft use so was pressed into service in an electric scale motor torpedo boat. Medical school, competitive hockey and fencing, postgraduate training, and family commitments created a lull in my flying activities until purchasing my first model helicopter in the mid-nineties, a Morley Maverick. Progress was slow following the initial flurry that resulted in my A certificate, as a result of work and ongoing family commitments, but retirement has provided more time to improve my flying. I do also fly fixed wing, but my main flying interests are scale and vintage helicopters.
Read More...Johnathan Rob
Western
Jon lives in Bristol and started his aeromodelling career when he joined his local Beaufort Model Flying Club in 2018, after wanting to take up a new hobby. He enjoys both the flying and building aspect of the hobby. Through the advent of 3D printers and CAD software Jon has designed many parts for his models, both scale details and the odd repair. Currently he is building a ¼ scale Hawker Tempest V.
Many things have changed over the years, but the love for building and flying model aircraft is as strong as ever. Since I retired 11 years ago I have been able to spend much more time building and flying my models. I am a traditional balsa builder who loves to build from plans including WW2 scale where I post my builds on “ RCScaleBuilder.com” forum as YNOT-57. Over the years I have had all types of models from IC and Turbine but now I just use electric power for both Fixed Wing & Helicopter. I have been a member of Raydon MAC for 30 years, and have served on the committee in a number of posts during this time, after a short illness which forced me to stand down from the committee, I am back to full health and now in the role of club Secretary once again.
Read More...Alan Belcher
Wales
Born in 1948, I am married with three grown up children and two grand children. I was introduced to aeromodelling at a very early age by my father who was a keen woodworker and ex RAF. I started with Keil Craft rubber power and progressed to Jetex models.
After joining Cardiff High school I moved on to control line and self stabilising ( pendulum control ) free flight which was not that effective! This made me look more seriously at Radio Control which was in those days single channel and really only one step beyond a free flight model. I built the Aeromodeller no1 receiver and transmitter and after much experimenting and reading of text books on electronics was finally able to make it work. I then progressed to constructing 12 channel reed transmitter and receivers which presented new challenges. Unfortunately this spelt the end of my interest in Aeromodelling as I found solving the problems and designing and testing electronic systems very absorbing. This new knowledge proved to be of use in the newly formed South Wales Amateur Rocketry Group (SWARG) which was a consortium of secondary schools in Cardiff. My contribution to SWARG was in designing, constructing and testing the rocket and ground antennas and telemetry systems. SWARG had several successful flights until the government decided to stop allowing MoD facilities to be used for amateur rocket launches. I then undertook a degree in Electronic Engineering with Physics and obtained my amateur radio transmitting licence. On graduating I joined the BBC Engineering Research Department. I was fortunate that my day to day work was of an advanced nature and over a two year period it facilitated a collaborative or external PhD in Electronic Engineering with Surrey University. At that time I had a young family with strong ties in Wales. We returned to Wales where I become a Medical Physicist at Velindre Hospital Cardiff. Later, in 1980 I become a Lecturer in Electronic Engineering at Swansea University. I was able to introduce aeromodelling related projects to final year students so this began the return to my hobby. I continued this theme when I later became a Professor in Electronic Engineering at Cardiff University. In 2016 I left academia to become full time employed in my own research company. Then came Covid 19 which mean that I spent more time at home and I took the opportunity to focus on aeromodelling. This made me more aware of how relevant it was that Wales was actually a country with its own laws and Parliament. Laws in England allowed clubs in England to be open for flying but laws in Wales meant clubs there were closed. My academic and professional career had required me to be involved in many committees and I enjoyed the challenges that they presented. I joined Swansea Model flying club in the mid 80s and passed my 'A' 1991. In 2021 I become a committee member of Swansea Model Flying club and in 2022 I became the Mid West Area Delegate. My aim is to improve communication between our clubs and BMFA and to look for grant funding opportunities which may arise. This is proving to be a challenge as the Area is split between two countries and two governments. As a resident of Wales it seems appropriate for me to use the access this gives me to the Welsh Government to explore how the BMFA can better support our clubs in Wales I am now practising for my 'B' certificate!
Read More...Felix Marten
South West
My aeromodelling interest started with my father’s help. A 5ft f/f polyhedral glider was a great success and flew well followed by a pretty little glider that flew like a brick, in hindsight, incorrect CofG. A control-line model completed my introduction to the hobby.
1965, joined the ATC, gained my Seargent stripes, learnt to fly full size gliders at RAF Chivenor and flew in many other aircraft from Chippies to a Shackleton.
I had several careers including thatching, horticulture and professional driving. I concluded my HGV career in the HGV driver training industry. 1993, returned to modelling with a 40 powered 3 channel Super 60 and learnt not to put my fingers into the disc again. 1995, gained my B certificate and became a Club Examiner in 1999. 2000, with an enthusiastic team including the late Great David Boddington, I set a Guinness World Record using my rules and my quarter scale Piper Cub to tow 10 gliders together. 2003, became the SWArea events coordinator. Displayed at Woodspring Wings and many local shows but mostly enjoyed towing gliders at aerotow meetings and soaring the hills and cliffs of Devon. 2021, I initiated what has become the Southwest Model Gliding competition, four sites host a fantastic following. Current posts (2026):- - A committee member of the East Devon Radio Control Club having stood down in 2023 from 15 years as Chairman. - Vice-Chairman of the Okehampton Model Flying Club. - Chairman of the Southwest Area since it reformed in 2022.
Read More...Peter Edmondson
Northern Ireland
I’ve held an interest in aeromodelling from a very early age while growing up in the countryside of Northern Ireland. Helped by Dad, my elder brother used to build free flight, doped gliders. We were fortunate that we could launch them from the house and then run across the fields to get them back. These days, I occasionally fly electric gliders from the same place.
I was able to get involved in R/C when I was gifted a 3ch Yamamoto and SC46 at Christmas, aged 11 years old. We built it in the roof space and come Spring-time 1993, Dad took me to join the Ulster Model Aircraft Club (UMAC) There was a long period when I stopped flying between 2000 and 2014 but when I eventually returned, I quickly rekindled a dormant passion for aeromodelling. Flying fixed-wing, I mostly enjoy models in the 20cc petrol or 6s electric range. Along the way, I’ve had my fair share of mixed fortune.. In late 2017 I started flying Helicopters and have worked progressively on learning 3D. I’ve participated in the 2021 & 2022 UK 3D Masters at Buckminster but I still love flying powered fixed-wing and the occasional big slow glider too. In 2018, the Northern Ireland Association of Aeromodellers (NIAA) appointed me as area Treasurer and in 2021 I was appointed as Area Delegate. This year, I am delighted to see the return of events back to the Northern Ireland calendar. I felt the absence of these events over 2020-21 left a huge void for many of us who enjoyed traveling to local events. This year, we have been able to resume a normal calendar and get events up and running again. I look forward to being able to represent and support the membership clubs here in Northern Ireland.
Read More...Alex Woods
RAFMAA
I am an Aircraft Mechanical Engineer with the Royal Air Force and have served for over 24 years. During my career, I have been based across the country and worked on a wide range of aircraft types. Highlights include the Tornado GR4 at RAF Marham and the Boeing Chinook CH-47 at RAF Odiham. I have also been fortunate to travel extensively around the world through my role.
