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.
You must be a British Model Flying Association (BMFA) member and obtain your Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Operator number & CAA Flyer ID number (details below) before you can join the club. If you do not understand what is required please ask the membership secretary or a committee member.
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
The club and BMFA subscriptions run from 1st January to 31st December.
Once you have completed your BMFA membership or if you already have BMFA membership, please complete the PANDAS membership application form.
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
For proof of competency under the BMFA / CAA Article 16 Authorisation needs a CAA Flyer ID number to fly lawfully.
You must take and pass either the BMFA RCC or the CAA DMARES online knowledge tests to obtain your CAA Flyer IDnumber.
Drone and Model Aircraft Registration Team
https://register-drones.caa.co.uk./
From 30th November 2019, to fly any aircraft weighing over 250 grams (there are one or two limited exemptions), you must register as an operator with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and display your operator number on your aircraft. You must also pass, a CAA or CAA approved competency test (the tests are free) before you can fly. The official CAA test is called a Flyer ID and the BMFA one, a Registered Competency Certificate (RCC).
Drone and Model Aircraft Registration Team
drone.registration@caa.co.uk
Telephone: 0330 022 9930
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm
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.