Pontefract & District Aeromodellers (PANDAS) is a BMFA affiliated club and as such, all members have to be a member of the BMFA.
Most model flying clubs including PANDAS, fly under the rules and regulations of Article 16. This is a legal document containing the rules and regulations that govern what we can and cannot do. In essence it means people who are current members of certain model aircraft associations, like the BMFA, can fly under terms and conditions that better suit their purposes.
The BMFA membership provides important 3rd party public liability insurance. You complete your BMFA membership directly with the BMFA, either online or by telephone (links below):
BMFA Membership Website: https://bmfa.org/join-us
BMFA Phone: 01162 440 028
Once you have completed your BMFA membership or if you already have BMFA membership, please complete the PANDAS membership application form.
The club subscriptions run from 1st January to 31st December.
You can download the membership application document below and return it to the address listed on the document, together with your payment (full details on the document), or complete the online application form and follow the instructions on the form:
PANDAS Online Membership Application Form
All membership applications are at the sole discretion of the committee and new members are subject to a 12 month probationary period.
PANDAS Club Fees 2026
Senior (aged 18 years or over) £35.00
New Member Joining Fee (not juniors) £5.00
Junior (aged under 18 years) £1.00
(anyone still in full time education will pay the junior member rate).
Reduction for renewals/new members joining on or after 1st September 2026.
Senior (aged 18 years or over) £20.00
New Member Joining Fee (not juniors) £5.00
Junior (aged under 18 years) £1.00
(anyone still in full time education will pay the junior member rate).
CAA Operator Numbers & Flyer ID Numbers
You must be a British Model Flying Association (BMFA) member and obtain your Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Operator number & Flyer ID number or be exempt before you can join the club. If you do not understand what is required please ask the membership secretary or a committee member.
There are a number of ways to obtain a CAA Flyer ID number & CAA Operator number including directly from the CAA.
Drone and Model Aircraft Registration Team
drone.registration@caa.co.uk
Telephone: 0330 022 9930
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm
https://register-drones.caa.co.uk
You can also obtain the numbers through the BMFA.
If you take the BMFA RCC online test the BMFA will forward your details to the CAA and the CAA will then issue you with a CAA Flyer ID number. You need to make sure the number is issued, it is not always an automatic process.
You can also apply on the BMFA membership portal for the BMFA to request a CAA Operator number on your behalf. This is the number you have to pay for and display on your aircraft. The current fee is £11.79 per year.
The CAA Operator number lasts for 12 months and has to be renewed annually.
The CAA Flyer ID number lasts for 5 years and has to be renewed every 5 years.
BMFA Registered Competency Certificate (RCC) & CAA Flyer ID Number
As above for proof of competency under the BMFA / CAA Article 16 Authorisation everyone needs a CAA Flyer ID number.
All PANDAS members must hold a current BMFA RCC irrespective of any other tests or qualifications they may hold.
All pilots must pass the BMFA ‘A’ achievement scheme certificate, for the type of aircraft they want to fly (fixed wing, helicopter or multi rotor), before they can fly solo at the PANDAS Flying Site. All new members and returning old members must have a briefing at the field with a club committee member or club instructor / examiner, before they can fly. This is to ensure they are up to date with the current flying site rules and legislation. New or returning old members, who hold a BMFA ‘A’ Achievement certificate or higher, will be expected to complete a short demonstration flight, to prove their competence, to fly safely at the PANDAS flying site (the safety of everyone is paramount).
Please contact the club membership secretary Martin Lynn, attend a monthly meeting or speak to someone at the flying field to obtain further details about joining the club.