BMFA Southern Area Achievement Scheme Day
On Sunday 18th May 2025 the Basingstoke Model Aero Club hosted the Southern Area Achievement Scheme testing day. The club had been approached by David Durnford and Terry Weeks of the BMFA Sothern Area committee, to host the event. The BMAC committee happily accepted this opportunity to support the BMFA-SA and moreover, to support our hobby in this way.
On the day the weather was almost perfect with sunshine and an 8 to 10 mph breeze, however the gusty north to north-easterly was going to make things interesting for the candidates. Activities started at 10:00am with David Durnford BMFA Southern Area Achievement Scheme Co-Ordinator, Mark Hemsley BMAC Safety officer and Roy Thompson BMAC Events officer giving a briefing and introduction to the day. Bob McAlpine BMAC Chairman was also on hand to give the days volunteer test pilots, their wings ahead of the examiner's tests.
The briefing was followed by registration of 7 test candidates and an Approved Instructor, who were then allotted a place in the days schedule along with their associated examiners. It was also a chance for everyone to introduce themselves and get familiarised with the tasks ahead. In addition to the test candidates, several examiners from around the region were in attendance to both help out with the assessments, get familiarised with the amended test schedules and requirements for 2025 and to standardise themselves across the region whilst sharing best practice and experience. Overall, some 26 people were in attendance.
First off the marks was Douglas Smith, a junior from the Salisbury area with examiners Terry Weeks (SA ACE) and David Durnford (SA ACE). Douglas was the first success, setting the bar high for the day obtaining his Fixed-Wing “A” certificate, using a high wing model some 30 plus years old.
This was followed by BMAC member Charlie Holdford with a FW “B”, examined by Simon Wood and Alan Haskell. Charlie was the second success using his Mike Bell Hangar Monkey called Ted.
Catering was managed by BMAC’s dynamic culinary duo, Chairman Bob McAlpine and Training Officer Peter Love. They provided a constant supply of teas, coffees and soft drinks, alongside running the BBQ with ample burgers and bratwurst.
The day continued with 4 examiner tests with one Helicopter and three Fixed-Wing, all of which were successful. Congratulations to Simon Kierstan (Heli), Mark Hemsley (FW), Mike Inwood (FW) and Arun Horne (FW).
The day concluded around 3:30pm, and for BMAC it was a very successful day with two new Fixed-wing examiners, one new Heli examiner and one new B-Cert flyer added to our membership.
Further thanks must go to all the Examiners who attended, the day could not have gone ahead without them, the BMAC members for allowing our site to be used and finally to the committee members of the BMFA Southern Area and BMAC for arranging the day with special thanks to David Durnford and Peter love for all their hard work in making the day a success.
Final thanks from David Smith, the BMFA Southern Area Chairman: ‘Thank you for all your hard work today to put on a successful AS Testing and Training day, and to all the BMAC club members who gave up a good flying day to allow the event to take place. It was well-organised, and BMAC did themselves proud with the facilities and catering. The atmosphere was just right, relaxed, supportive of the candidates, but standards were maintained. Overall, an excellent and successful day.’
Roy Thompson BMAC Events Officer.