Field Rules Reminder 2008 ~Revised

Rules Reminder acknowledged by GMAC members on joining NB. This document does not replace or supplant Club, BMFA or Council rules. This is a collection of rules drawn from these sources to act as an aide memoir.

·         Members of the public within the flying area or on the strip have priority over aircraft at all times. Flyers MUST sacrifice their model if necessary. Any persons on the strip may be politely and respectfully informed of the hazards they face and requested to move to the side of the field.

 ·         Courtesy to fellow pilots and the public must be maintained at all times

 ·         On NO account should Public and Footballers be over flown.

 ·         To fly solo you must possess an A certificate.

 ·         Anyone under the age of 18 MUST be accompanied at all times by a Parent or recognised Guardian. (Please refer to GMAC/BMFA policy document).

 ·         Trainees may only fly under the instruction and assistance of a recognised GMAC Club instructor and this instruction should be commensurate with the age and experience of the trainee. Children and vulnerable adults can only be instructed by an Instructor who has passed a BMFA CRB check recognised by GreenacresMAC.

·         Pilots must display a peg when flying and before switching on, obviously if a peg is already on display with the channel you are using you must NOT switch on.  Wait till the pilot has finished flying and request to use the channel and make them aware that you are sharing the channel. Pilots must display a peg with the Channel Number in use clearly displayed along with the pilot’s name.

 ·         All 35Mhz transmitters must display an orange Pennant with the channel in use.

·         All 2.4Ghz transmitters must display a Black pennant. A Black peg displaying the Members name must be placed with the 35Mhz pegs. As per BMFA guidance

 ·         All aircraft must be in a safe condition and should be checked for structural defects and be fitted with suitable equipment which is fully functional. Range checks should be made regularly and after all periods of non use, hard landings, repairs or changes. On board batteries should be charged & tested prior to flight

 ·         Planes must not exceed a take off weight of 7Kg. and must not exceed the agreed engine sizes. If 32cc is used the pilot must hold a BMFA ‘B’ certificate. 

·         All planes with 20cc Petrol or 120 IC engines and above or combinations that equal this size or electric planes using batteries of 40v x 2300mAh or greater have to be weighed and certified by two Committee members prior to being flown at Greenacres. NB all fuel based planes must be weighed with full fuel tanks (or a direct substitute). Any significant changes or repairs made to certified planes must be reweighed. Note: Spot checks may be undertaken should a plane be suspected of changes. Anyone flying over weight planes, giving false or misleading information or disobeying this rule will be disciplined and may have their flying permit removed.  Weighing certificates must be produced on request – i.e. you should have the planes certificate with you if you are flying a plane that requires a weight certificate. 

·         All power planes should be adequately restrained when starting up.

 ·         Models should face towards flying area whilst being started up. Not towards other models, equipment or persons and not behind the Flight line. 

·         Flying to only take-place from the recognised flight-line (see current permit for location’s) and within the permitted area/s. On NO occasion may pilots fly from the pit area.

·         Flight Line Marshall’s should be in place if 5 or more pilots are flying (under review)

·         All pilots must stand together on the flight-line, but must avoid crossing TX aerials.

 ·         If pilots wish to stand directly behind a model when taking off. Permission must be gained from pilots flying or duty marshal before taking the TX onto the flying area. 

·         Models should not be taxied directly at the flight line and No taxiing into, out of, or within the pit area.

 ·         Whilst being carried or guided to the take-off area, models must not be pointed towards pilots on the flight line.

 ·         Aircraft Taking off should be placed on the down wind side of the flight line i.e. Not pass across the flight line 

·         All take-offs and hand launches must be called if Flight line marshals are in place their permission should be sought.

 ·         All landings must be called. Landing aircraft have priority over taking off and Dead-stick have priority over all.

 ·         Low manoeuvres must be called with a relevant direction e.g. “low pass from the left”.

 ·         ‘On the field’ should be called out before retrieving aircraft and you should ensure that you are heard. If a marshal is present they should give clearance first. 

·         TX’s should not be taken onto the field when retrieving aircraft.

·         All damaged or crashed aircraft material and Rubbish must be removed from the field by Pilots. 

·         If there is a high degree of public activity on the field then Beware signs should be displayed on the field (under review)

·         All accidents involving people or property &/or crashes outside the field MUST be reported to a committee member and a written report submitted with witness reports to the Club Secretary ASAP.