Slope Soaring Sussex

Slope Soaring Sussex is a friendly group of RC glider flying enthusiasts based in Sussex, UK. We slope soar at various locations on the South Downs and have a field for thermal soaring. ‘Slope Soaring Sussex’ is a BMFA affiliated RC Glider-only flying club. We fly many types of RC gliders from conventional slope soarers to Scale, DLG, F3B, F3J, F5J, PSS and more. Our aim is to encourage and promote safe, responsible and enjoyable radio controlled model flying. New and experienced flyers welcome.

Friday, 1 May 2015

Ashdown Forest

While trying to find out a little more about Mill Hill. I noticed this Information posted on the South East Area BMFA website regarding model flying on the Ashdown Forest.

Firstly, a bit of background information; the Forest is not public land, such as park or open space would be, and the rules for such are not the same. The Ashdown Forest Conservators were set up by an act of parliament and given powers to run and protect the Forest. The only right the public have is to walk on the forest; all other activities are controlled and governed by Licences granted by the Committee that run the Conservators. The BMFA and its membership have licence to fly on the Forest under strict locations, dates and times. This was negotiated before I became involved with the BMFA and the South East Area committee.

Summary of Licence

Model Types: Free Fight and Radio Controlled Gliders, powered and unpowered
Flying Locations: Old Lodge Valley area bounded by Old Lodge Boundary; and Duddleswell/Nutley Road, Old Lodge Drive, B2026 and Friends Clump.
Flying Dates and Times:

Between 1 May and 31 August:
Silent models: up to 10.30 am and from 6 pm to sunset on any day.
Power Assisted Models: from 8.30 am - 10.30 am and from 6 pm to sunset.
Between 1 January to 30 April and 1 September to 31 December:
Silent and power assisted models: from 8.30 am to sunset.

Each year we negotiate a number of competition dates that enable us to fly from 8:30am to sunset, and do not clash with other events on the Forest, for example, equine events. The 2015 dates are Sundays: 8 February, 1 March, 22 March, 7 June, 28 June, 12 July, 13 September and 18 October. So the use of Helicopters and Multi-Rotor, 3D models, Gas Turbines, etc. do not fall within the scope of our licence and therefore cannot be flown at all and will be enforced by the Forest Rangers.

Mill Hill Update !!

Our roving reporter Rob Stanley from the 'Slope Soaring Sussex News' was up and about early this morning to cover the breaking story regarding model flying being banned at Mill Hill.
Rob has visited the Mill Hill flying site and has confirmed the only sign / notification that's being displayed regarding model flying is a hand scribbled note on a rubbish bin and doesn't look very official to me!

I will endeavour to get some official confirmation from either Shoreham Airport / Local Council or maybe even the CAA but the decision to fly at Mill Hill must be at the discretion of each individual model flyer. My suggestion would be to steer clear until we know exactly what's going on.
If you can enlighten us more with some facts then please can you email me: paul.hampshire @shelf-space.co.uk