As everyone knows, we are in turbulent times in our favorite hobby and pastime. It is a bit of a double whammy for us at HEFA with the loss of our previous field at SP and then the issues between TC and MAAC which have paused outdoor flying under the MAAC umbrella. I know that MAAC is doing their best to work through the fields and I understand and believe that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you to all of the MAAC organizers for sticking with it... almost all in a volunteer position.
So what has been happening at HEFA? Well, since our AGM late December there has been work ongoing. And with very few exceptions, we are all hearing of news with MAAC at the same time and we are all trying to pivot and to get ready for flying safely.
Some activities:
NEW FIELD REVIEWS
- While we have good access to LT (and I am sure that this will work very nicely for many), the continued interest in a new field remains front and center for our members.
- There are potential delays from MAAC (I could be wrong) as they work through their existing backlog of fields and we expect that is a priority over new field activations.
- Josh has put together a letter which we can present to landowners with an expression of interest in some fields / properties.
- Coordination to try and obtain owner contact information for these fields.
- The list of possible new fields has been compiled. Appended to that list are the flight classifications, contact information, etc.
- Unfortunately, some of the fields suggested at our AGM are within Controlled Airspace (Class D) and we expect those will not likely be approved by MAAC... putting them on the back burner for us at least for the moment.
- Continued discussions (still evolving) with the potential for flying with SW, ASRCM, Halifax Radio Flyers, etc. and the impact to members.
- As expected, HEFA membership is low. The lowest, in fact, that I have ever seen. This is not a complete surprise given the one-two punch that we have been hit with from the field loss / MAAC. Field leasing and maintenance costs should be reduced as otherwise we might be operating in the red.
- Even so, we are certainly accepting new membership applications. I expect that these will pick up a bit as flying is resumed and we are able to enjoy LT and PL.
- I know that no one likes rules - and new rules / restrictions are never enjoyable. But that said, we need to position ourselves so that we are aligned with the new reality.
- With that in mind, a set of new club rules have been drafted and published. Some of these are specific to PL, some to LT, and some are common to both.
- Perhaps one of the biggest changes relates to keeping 30m away from the public and the requirement for warning signage at any entrances. We are still working through the signs - these will not be permanent (too many legs!) and we need to sort through who has them. And we need to use them. Placement of the signs has been defined in our field plans.
- Please take a few minutes to download the document and to review. If you feel that anything is awry, then please reach out to us via email at HalifaxElectricFlyers@outlook.com.
- There is an option for HEFA to participate with SW in the SW Hobby Show. This is happening April 15/16 as I understand.
- It can be a tough time to get into the hobby with requirements for BASIC DRONE testing / licensing / maintenance records. But the effort can be worth it as this hobby - and the people that enjoy it - make this one of the best past-times going.
Thanks