Large Model Association Forum

Although not a member of the LMA, I have long followed its development and attended many of its shows. The quality of design and construction is second to none, and the ability and professionalism of the flying members is beyond reproach, but I find that the micro-organisation sometimes fails to achieve the same standards. My experience at the Cosford show, several years ago, severely limited my desire to attend the meeting again, but I decided to do so this year (2010). I found it hard to see how tickets could be purchased and decided to buy in advance, but it was far from clear how to do so. In the end, I rang the museum who told me to send a cheque and SAE to them and wait for their arrival by post - a fraught activity these days. Surely a way can be found for them to be purchased or ordered online, as so many other hobby club events manage (my specific experience of this is with model railway events), with clear instructions on the procedure to follow. Having turned up at the airfield, this year, I was accosted (I can think of no other suitable word) by an official who told me my tickets were invalid and I'd have to pay again. After an irritating delay this was sorted out by another official but the man was clearly inadequately briefed, made no apology for his initially aggressive attitude and I would suggest he has no place in dealing with the public. The lifeblood of any organisation like the LMA is its appeal to an interested section of the public, by making it easy for them to find information about events, buy tickets and attend the various venues without hassle. Anyone who attended the excellent annual shows at Sandown Racecourse will know just how well it can be done. I shall be attending the LMA event at Much Marcle, this weekend, and it will interest me to see how the 'small cogs' in the organisational wheel turn, this time. This is not meant as criticism, and comes only from a desire to see the LMA grow in strength and reputation, and I can understand that the smaller details may be lost on people whose principal desire is to fly model aircraft.

The Much Marcle show is run by the Herofordshire MFC who are "just" a model club. The flight line is run by the LMA. I have nothing but praise for the organization at previous Much Marcle events and hope this weekend will be as well run. Having said that I don't think that you can generalise on the LMA organisation from one person at one show, he was probably doing his best under the pressure of the day! Don't forget the LMA is not a massive commercial enterprise, it run for its members by volunteers from the membership mostly. Any way have a good visit this weekend I may see you there! I will be the one with two dogs, A collie and a spaniel.
Regards Brian

David--sorry to hear of your problems at Cosford--unfortunately--the tickets and gate people were all volunteers from the RAF Museum ,i will be going to a wash down meeting there in a few weeks so i will raise your points---in the meantime,i will be at Much Marcle,if you come to the flightline gate and ask for myself ,we can sit and discuss over a coffee at the hospitality tent---see you there---DAVE JOHNSON