Flying Site Rules

Flying Site

1. The gate to the site is to be kept shut at all times, unless the farmer has kept it open for his work. If livestock are present then please make sure the open gate is attended at all times when you are entering or exiting to make sure no animals escape as this could result in the Club losing the site and cost us a great deal of money for damage to livestock.
2. The normal car parking area is adjacent to the site cabinet, but members should satisfy themselves that the ground is firm enough BEFORE entering the field and parking up.
3. On entering the site, members should enter their name and details in the log book held in the site cabinet, also log out when leaving.
4. Please keep the site tidy, take your rubbish and bits of broken planes home with you.
5. The electric fence is to be re-installed at the end of a flying session to prevent animals getting onto the patch.

Flying Times

Guests

1. At all times the guest(s) are the responsibility of the person inviting them to fly (the Host).
2. Any committee member will be able to check the guests ability to fly and advise both guest and host of any restrictions. This must be done whatever the guests ability, or experience to point out any issues or restrictions on our site. 
3. BMFA or other insurance certificates may be asked to be shown. For foreign visitors their insurance and qualifications may be required. Note:- the club can arrange temporary BMFA insurance cover if required.
4. Guests should never fly on their own without the host in attendance.

Qualifications

1. To fly at the PADMAC site the minimum qualification which is required to fly unattended is the ‘A’ level in the BMFA Achievement Scheme Rating. 
2. Novices and members without an ‘A’ certificate should only fly under the guidance of one of the clubs instructors, in the early stages this could be using a buddy box. The club instructors will determine when the member is ready to take the exam or be allowed to fly solo under the direction of other experienced flyers (i.e. those who have a least an A and are deemed to be experienced flyers), if in doubt ask.

Safety

1. Please read the BMFA handbook for further guidance on operating safely.
2. Remember SAFETY is no accident - i.e. you have to think and do something about it.
3. Pilots should always stand together along the pilots line when controlling flying models to aid communication and safety.  (See diagram at the end of these rules).
4. When flying helicopters, control line models,  and line launched gliders etc, other members present should be consulted, before any flying takes place so that the area may be freed up to accommodate the special requirements of these types of models. 
5. The pit area will be sited in front of the row of seats set up at each flying session.
6. Do not taxi in or out of the pits area. Wheel or carry your model well clear of the pits before commencing taxying and stop the model well clear when taxying back after landing. Do not put other flyers at risk.
7. Helicopters they may start their engine(s) in the pit area but should only run up the rotors when on the patch. Helicopters should also shut down on the patch when flying is completed.
8. Engines unless they are being run-in should only be started in the pits and pointing away from the seated spectators.
9. If engines are being run-in then they should be sited as far away as possible from the flying area so as not to annoy other members and to keep the noise down. Also be aware that prolonged running of engines even at slow speed can be very annoying. So act with consideration.
10. Endeavour to fly within the confines of the site, but should you land in an adjacent field then avoid damaging fences or crops when retrieving the model.
11. You should never fly over any roads surrounding the site for obvious reasons and never fly behind the pilots line in accordance with the BMFA rules and common sense.
12. Only 2 I/C powered models to be in the air at any one time.
13. No pet animals to be brought onto the site.
14. No pesticides, herbicides, or other hazardous substances to be used.

Noise

1. All aircraft must comply with the Department of Environment Noise Code, (see the BMFA Handbook for details).
2. The maximum allowable engine noise is currently 82dB in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the BMFA.
3. To comply with this at the PADMAC site all I/C aircraft must be tested before being flown or after a change (e.g. different engine or propeller) and a mark made on the model when the test has been completed. The present of the noise pass mark may be checked at any time.
4. If any member feels that a model is too noisy, please point this out to the owner/member or guest so that action may be taken before the model is flown again.

Types of Models

1. Members should agree amongst each other the time available for different classes of models e.g. control line and helicopters, so that everyone has fair use of the patch.
2. We want to encourage the maximum variety of models to be flown at our site, but obviously there are some types and sizes which will be unsuitable and therefore should not be flown or the engines run, these would be for example a 20ft span Vulcan bomber powered by 4 pulse jets, control line speed, rockets etc.
3. Members should always use common sense when deciding to bring a large/unusual type of model to our site and ask themselves the following questions.

1. Will it be able to fly within the site boundaries?
2. Will it be safe to fly?
3. Does it exceed 82dB?
4. Will I be able to see and control it at all times?
5. Am I confident in my abilities to fly it, and do others think the same?

4. If unsure about any aspect, please ring or ask a committee member for guidance.
5. If in doubt don’t fly, but show it off to all and sundry and take it home in one piece to fly somewhere else.

Frequencies

1. Members may only fly on permitted UK Frequencies which are currently 27, 35, 459MHz and 2.4GHz
2. We use a “Peg-on” pegboard system for controlling Tx transmissions. Members are responsible for co-ordinating their own frequency control and must supply a clothes peg and take it home with them when they leave, your name should be inked on the peg for identification.
3. When more than one member is using the same frequency (27 and 35MHz), in addition to the Peg Board System, the non flier must place their Tx next to the flying members pit and not switch on his Tx until the member who is flying has indicated that his Tx is switched off.
4. If any interference is experienced whatever frequency you are using please check with other flyers that you are not causing interference to them. If you are don’t fly and get your equipment serviced. The club has a 35MHz scanner for use by members in assisting them with any frequency conflicts.
5. Remember you may be liable to pay for the damage to the other member’s model if you cause loss of control because you interfered with the frequency in use, plus the crash may have major safety implications…!

Summary

• Have Fun
• Act responsibly
• Fly Safely
• Look after each other
• Let the committee know if anything untoward happens

Flying Site Layout