Welcome to the website of Epsom Downs Model Aircraft Club.
While people have been flying model aircraft on Epsom Downs for many decades, the club has only been in existence for a few years. You can read the background to the formation of the club here.
Since the start of 2006 the Epsom Downs Conservators have required that anyone flying a model on Epsom Downs must be a member of this club. This requirement embraces all disciplines of radio control and free flight. Our membership application form can be downloaded from the Membership page.
We fly 7 days a week, except for horse race days, from 12 noon until 8pm or sunset - whichever is earlier. Free-flight and non-powered radio-control models may continue flying until sunset when this is later than 8pm. Models over 7kg. and those powered by jet, rocket or gas turbines may not be flown on the Downs. Control line models and catapult-launched models are also not permitted. These restrictions form part of the Byelaws, which along with the Club Rules and Constitution can be found here. Other restrictions also apply - this is just a brief summary of the main ones. See the Byelaws and Club Rules for full details.
The club is affiliated to the British Model Flying Association (BMFA.)
This website will continue to be updated from time to time with news and information for current and prospective members.
2016 AGM
At the 2016 AGM the membership again voted to keep the club subscription at £10 for the following year, and also to keep the renewal discount of £3 that was introduced in 2014. This discount is for existing members who are renewing their membership for 2017. Club subscriptions for junior members remain FREE, as they have been since 2007. Juniors just need pay for their BMFA membership.
As in previous years, 3 members attending the AGM were drawn at random and receive free 2017 membership of EDMAC and the BMFA.
Membership
Renewals for 2016 members
Personalised renewal letters for 2017 were available for all 2016 members to collect at the AGM on 12th December 2016. Those that were not collected at the AGM were posted to members the following day.
The quickest and easiest way to renew is to use your Internet or Telephone Banking service to make your payment direct to our account rather than writing and posting a cheque. Account details are on the renewal letter and you do not need to return the form. In 2016 almost 40% of the membership made their renewal payments this way. Alternatively you can return the signed renewal form with a cheque to the address on the form.
Cloud Tramp 2016
On Saturday the 6th of August at around 4 o'clock dog walkers and picnickers on Epsom Downs were mystified to see groups of people of all ages and sex walking across the Downs. They were generally carrying small 20" span rubber powered balsa model aircraft. The group soon settled in the centre of the Downs and the chat was of rubber motor lengths, balance points and wing incidence settings. Some of the fascinated spectators asked what was going on and were interested to hear this was the annual Mass Launch of a model aircraft called the Cloud Tramp.
The event is held in memory of Charles Grant who was an American and designed the model in 1954 in an effort to get American youth interested in aeromodelling, which hopefully would lead to full size aviation.
Recent site updates
| 2017 | |
| 2 July | Membership form updated - reduced BMFA subs |
| 7 June | Rule 6 amended |
| 2016 | |
| 17 December | 2017 Membership form added |
| 29 September | Cloud Tramp 2016 article added |
| 5 September | Membership form updated - reduced BMFA subs |
| 4 July | Membership form updated - reduced BMFA subs |
| 2015 | |
| 19 December | Mobile-friendly version of site added |
| 17 December | 2016 Membership form added |
| 30 June | Membership form updated - reduced BMFA subs |
| 1 February | Site software upgrade |
| 30 January | 2015 events added |
| 2014 | |
| 16 December | 2015 membership information added |
| 9 November | 2014 AGM information updated |
| 4 October | Cloud Tramp 2014 and 2014 AGM added |
| 7 September | Membership form updated - reduced BMFA subs |
| 8 July | Membership form updated - reduced BMFA subs |
| 23 Mar. | Middle Wallop events added |
12°C
Epsom Downs
