Safety Rules & Regulations
PREAMBLE:
In an effort to provide a safe environment on which the members of the Wright Flyers Model Airplane Club may participate in radio controlled model aircraft flying and to further provide for the safety of visitors, the following rules are established:
Section I: COURTESIES
The following courtesies are expected of all club members during field operations:
1. Possession of any shared 72 MHz frequency shall be limited to 15 minutes at the field unless:
a. There are no other flyers on that frequency at the field.
b. All other flyers on that frequency have given permission for the extended use of the frequency.
2. Use of any individual 72 MHz frequency shall rotate among the flyers present at the field at any given time, unless individual agreements have been made between the flyers.
3. Use of the flight stations shall rotate among the flyers present at the field at any given time.
4. To the best extent possible, do not aim your prop wash at other modeler or their aircraft. For the same reason, do not place your airplane directly behind other modeler’s aircraft.
5. Anything you bring to the flying filed should be removed when you depart.
6. Members should display club identification.
Section II: FIELD RULES
1. Use of our field for flying has been granted by agreement with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Please observe the rules and keep the area clean.
2. During periods of field maintenance and grass mowing, the runway is closed. No flying will be permitted until the mowing or maintenance crew has opened the field for flying.
3. No alcoholic beverages are allowed at the flying field. No flying will be permitted if alcoholic beverages have been used before flying.
4. Guest flying: A total of six visits per year is the limit for a guest pilot. All guests must be accompanied by a club member.
5. Children must be closely supervised at all times. Children and other spectators must remain behind an invisible line which is behind the pit area and extends parallel to the runway for the full length of the field.
6. Animals brought to the field by spectators or modelers must be restrained at all times
7. To prevent damage to the grass in the pit area, a positive means (i.e., catch bottle or equivalent) of preventing fuel spills is required.
8. The field is closed on Mondays, May thru Aug. at 5:00 P.M. until Pilot Training for that day is completed.
Section III: FLYING RULES
1. The club offers free flying lessons to prospective new members. Student pilots will be enrolled in the AMA Introductory Pilot Program which provides insurance coverage for up to 90 days from the trainee's first training flight. Thereafter, the trainee must join the AMA and the Wright Flyers Club to continue to fly at the field.
2. All flying is to be done in accordance with the AMA Model Aircraft Safety Code.
3. No more than three planes are allowed in the air at a time.
4. If using 72 MHz frequencies, your club membership card must be on the frequency control board to turn on your transmitter. If there are multiple cards on the same frequency, do not turn on your transmitter until you have notified each of the other users of that frequency, and confirmed they are not using it.
5. Use of the frequency control board is not required for 2.4 GHz transmitters.
6. Careless, reckless and/or dangerous flying as determined by any two or more club members shall not be permitted. Do not hesitate to express your concerns to fellow pilots regarding their flying if it bothers you.
7. All engines must have a muffler or an effective silencer. All planes must not exceed 100db noise level at 9 feet on grass. If not, the plane must not fly until it has met this requirement.
8. No internal combustion engine operation before 8:30 AM. Electric motors may be run beginning at sunrise.
9. No internal combustion engine operation after sunset, and no flying of any kind is permitted between
11:00 PM and sunrise the next day.
Section IV: SAFETY RULES
1. Flying behind the pilots' line (fence) is prohibited.
2. Operators of gasoline powered aircraft will have a fire extinguisher readily available. An ABC type extinguisher is recommended.
3. When starting an engine, warn people to stay clear of the propeller arc.
4. Direct propeller blast away from other aircraft and people.
5. Perform initial turn after takeoff away from the pits, spectators, and parking area. Thereafter, do not perform maneuvers, flights of any sort, or landing over the pits, spectators, or parking area.
6. No flying, landing or takeoff between the pilots' stations and edge of runway, defined as five feet from the runway side of the fence.
7. Stand on the pilot's station line just to the rear of the safety fence when flying.
8. Do not take off toward the spectators or pit area. Landing approaches toward the pit area are permitted in the case of strong crosswinds, however the aircraft must be turned parallel to the runway prior to touchdown.
9. In the event of problems, announce an emergency, attempt to fly away from the pit area and spectators, and land immediately.
10. All take-off and landing attempts shall be announced to other flyers.
11. If a model must be carried out onto the runway for take-off, this intention shall be announced to give
other flyers time to clear the take-off area.
12. Do not go onto the runway unless absolutely necessary. At such times, give a loud verbal warning of your presence, making sure you are not running in front of an aircraft in motion. Stay only as long as necessary and announce verbally when you are clear of the runway.
13. Do not start your taxi until you have checked to make sure the runway is clear and no one is making a landing approach.
14. The flyer of a "dead stick" model or a model experiencing problems, shall loudly and clearly warn others of the situation. Landing priority will be given immediately.
15. Do not taxi in the pit area.
Wright Flyers Club
Safe Flying Recommendations
Ground Courtesy
-
Position your plane so prop wash does not throw dirt on other planes or equipment.
-
Pick up debris.
-
If you see debris on the field or in the pits, pick it up.
-
Do not walk over other peoples planes or equipment.
-
Watch others when carrying planes with running engines.
-
Do not pour excess fuel on the ground. Please use a catch can.
Equipment and Personal Safety
-
Be sure planes are mechanically sound, bench trimmed, props balanced and batteries charged.
-
Range check planes.
-
Sand flashing and knife edges from plastic props.
-
Advise to paint prop tips. (yellow, white orange or red)
-
Be careful when removing glow driver from plug.
-
Have a buddy hold the plane when starting or adjusting the carburetor.
-
Double nut all four-stroke engines.
-
When insects swarm, use repellent.
-
Wear sunglasses, UV damages cornea.
-
Carry a small first aid kit.
Flying
-
Fly with a buddy.
a) To spot.
b) To assure the field is clear for take-off and landing.
c) To assure others on the flight line hear announcements.
d) To assist if your plane goes down.
e) To assist in starting.
-
Follow the flight pattern to avoid mid-air collisions.
-
Dead stick has the right of way.
-
Do not take-off or land with anyone on the field.
-
Never fly over the pits or spectator areas.
-
Fly as quietly as possible.