The preceding “Soaring Mart” was well attended and, although there have been a larger number of “Traders” present in some years past, a good number did attend including some interesting newcomers and the quality and relevance of what was on offer was excellent and satisfactory business was done.

The AGM itself opened with two prestigious awards being made. A BARCS Fellowship to Neville Warby for his years of unassuming but totally reliable and hard working support of innumerable events.  The Eppler Trophy was awarded to Martin Bell for his key role in bringing height limiters into practical use so enabling the formats of all current electric soaring contests.

Following the expiry of Chris Moynihan’s period of office as BARCS President, Graham James becomes President.  The BARCS committee was re-elected without changes and is: Graham James – President (but retaining his responsibility for trophies and Leagues), Robin Sleight – Chairman, Peter Alllen – Secretary (and for 2012 BARCS Rep to the SFTC), Jeff Stocking – Treasurer, Hayley Hawes – F3K, Martin Bell – Electric Soaring, Martin Newnham – F3F, Peter Mitchell – Membership records and Chris Moynihan and Chas Dunster as Committee members.  In addition Jon Edison was elected as the BARCS Rep to the BMFA Technical Council.

The membership fees were agreed to remain unchanged from 2011, £10 per individual member.

It was agreed that the web site was excellent and a vote of thanks was given to Austin Guerrier for his work on this.  However it is essential that to maintain its topicality that more people contribute especially with short event reports including a couple of photographs for interest.

The view of members was sought on the future venue for the Silent Flight Nationals.  This is a decision for the SFTC but, on balance, the opinion appears to be that: given a choice between an excellent site or a juxtaposition with Barkston Heath, the preference is to get an excellent site.

All committee proposals received an adequate majority and were therefore passed.  They have been incorporated into the 2012 Members Handbook/Rulebook but in summary are:

* A “Restricted” class of electric soarer was agreed – either of 2 metre span with no limits on control functions OR a 100 inch span limit but with control functions (other than the motor) restricted to Rudder, Elevator and Spoiler.

* In Multi-launch competitions where it was considered that the current rules unreasonably favoured electric models, the height limiter for such models must now cut off at 150 metres (not 200 as before 200).  There was concern expressed that this might now be too severe and give a bias towards winch launched gliders.  If experience shows this to be so, an option for the next AGM is to reduce the distance from the winch to the turnaround pulley – (say) to 130 metres.

* In multi-launch competitions wording was changed to allow CDs the discretion to accept double entries but not to a level which would significantly cut the number of rounds would be possible to fly without such double entries.

* The “CAM” height limiter for electric models was approved for use in Multi-launch and ELG competitions.

* The dropped score in ELG competitions will now apply after six rounds and not (as in 2011) after only four rounds.

A few points were raised for future consideration by the committee including that of allowing advertising on the web site

The 2012 AGM was agreed to be scheduled for Sunday 2 December 2012 at the oadby Football Club starting at (new time) 1.30pm.