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Blackburn and District Model Aircraft Club
revised version of club operating guidelines.
Blackburn and District Model Aircraft Club revised version of club
operating guidelines.
Model flying Code.
Model
flying is not a dangerous sport, but as with other sporting activities hazards
can arise if common sense rules are not applied. Such rules become second
nature to the more experienced flier. However, what appears obvious to the
experienced flier must be pointed out to the newcomer. The BMFA code of
practice, issued to every member, is a record of good practice to inform new
members and to remind existing members of the various ways in which they are
expected to conform to the mutual advantage of both model flyers and the
general public. Dangerous flying will not be tolerated. Violation of this code
will be brought to the attention of the committee for the appropriate action.
On the flying field the safety officer of-the-day shall have the final decision
on all interpretation of this code Code of practice.
1. Site entry
·
Upon
entering the playing fields the speed limit of 15 mph must be observed.
· Take care when passing pedestrians and animals - especially horses.
· Cars must be parked in the designated parking bays so as not to cause
an obstruction to other users of the site. · BDMAC membership cards and
proof of insurance must be available for inspection.
2.
Hours of agreed operation ·
All members must observe the hours of operation
agreed between Blackburn with
Darwen Borough Council and the club. The times of operation are as below
:- ·
Tuesday 12.00 midday - 18.00 hrs. ·
Friday
12.00 midday - 20.00 hrs. ·
Sunday 12.00 midday - 20.00 hrs. ·
All local. public and
bank holidays from 12.00 midday - 20.00 hrs.
3. Supervision ·
Only those pilots who have achieved a minimum of
B.M.F.A."A" certification shall fly radio-controlled models without
supervision. ·
Only fixed
wing pilots who have attained the B.M.F.A."B" certification shall supervise
non-qualified radio-controlled fixed wing pilots ·
Unqualified helicopter pilots
must be supervised by any "A" or "B" certificate holder who will act as a
safety observer. ( this may be any helicopter pilot if the student is only
practicing the hover with no intention of forward flight) Agreed June 2000 ·
All junior members under 16 years of age must have
parental / adult supervision at all times.( The committee cannot accept
responsibility for unaccompanied minors) ·
Control line
pilots should not fly alone. ·
Control line pilots should have at least one person to act as
safety observer whenever flying
is in progress.
4. Legislation covering
model flying ·
All legal requirements and club agreements must be
honoured at all times. ·
All standing BMFA rules and local codes of practice shall be adhered
to at all times. ·
All local club rules and codes of practice shall be adhered to at all
times. ·
All internal
combustion engines shall comply with D.O.E standards for noise emission levels.
·
All requirements of
the Civil Aviation Authority air navigation orders must be understood and
followed by every member.
5. Frequency usage and control measures. ·
The use of 27MHz
equipment shall not be allowed on any club site for model aircraft use.
·
The use of
35MHz shall be split between fixed and rotary winged aircraft as follows
-
35
MHz ODD channel numbers are explicitly for FIXED WING MODELS.
35 MHz EVEN channel
numbers are explicitly for ROTARY WINGED MODELS ·
All
transmitters shall :-
*
Be left in the designated pound, switched off when not in use.
* Have the
aerial retracted when not in use.
* Display the correct frequency pennant at all times,
which must be orange in colour
and labelled with the channel number in
use.
* Bear the
owner's name (or other distinguishing mark) to avoid mistaken identities.
* Never be turned on unless
the appropriate frequency peg is prominently attached to the transmitter and
the current frequency pennant is being displayed.
* Be subject to periodic
inspection using radio frequency detection apparatus to check for correct
emission within agreed tolerances.
* Be operated in close proximity to each other when
flying by means of the pilots box to enable verbal communication and reduce
harmonic interference to others. ·
Mobile telephones must be switched off and never used
anywhere on the flightline or in the pits. ·
Frequency control shall be by means of a peg-board
system. This is a NEGATIVE system where the user removes the peg from the board
and places same on his transmitter before operation can begin.
6. Pits discipline ·
Models must be restrained by means of mechanical devices or
experienced helper. ·
Model
engines must never be operated with the propellor(s) facing the public viewing
fence. ·
Model engines
must only be operated when the surrounding area to the sides and forwards of
the rotating propellor is clear of people or animals. ·
Prolonged engine running is
not permitted in this area or the vicinity of the pilots' box.
7. Flying area ·
The agreed area(s) of
operation are as shown on the map. · Helicopters, fixed wing and control
line models will only operate in their own specific area unless agreed with the
safety officer on the day. ·
The flight envelope
shall be such that take-off and landing shall be from the agreed area. ·
The flight envelope shall be such that once airborne the
flight path shall be within agreed over-fly zones.
(Refer to map of site) ·
The Hon.
Secretary shall be notified immediately of :-
* Any accident,
however small, if a third party is involved.
* Any landing of a model outside
the designated flying zone.
This may be by telephone or email but must be as soon
after the incident as possible. (Should the secretary be unavailable, this
notification shall be made to the chairman or vice-chairman)
8. Organised games ·
Model aircraft must never over-fly organised games.
· Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council shall ensure that any organised
games are not allocated into areas that conflict with model flying activities.
·
BDMAC shall
ensure that the numbers of model aircraft airborne at any one time are
restricted when the site is heavily populated. ·
The safety officer on the day shall be responsible
for implementation of any such restrictions as required.
9. General considerations ·
Each member shall be responsible for
the safe removal of all personal discarded items, litter and debris from the
flying site. ·
Each member shall afford common courtesy to members of the public.
·
The ignition of any open fire
is prohibited. ·
Each member should carry a small first
aid kit for use in an emergency. ·
The nearest public telephone is some distance away,
therefore it is advisable to have access to a mobile telephone in order that
professional help may be summoned in the event of any
emergency.
( see item 5 - frequency controls)
·
Respect should be
shown to the bereaved, as they pass our site, by reducing engine noise whenever
possible. ·
Each
member should know the location of warning signs in order to direct the public
to them in the event of any dispute.
Version 3 August 2000 - K A Watson Hon. Sec BDMAC C:\My
Documents\BDMAC\Blackburn and District model aircraft club revised version of
club operating guidelines.doc 3 page document
This document maintained by
bdmacsec@supanet.com.
Material
Copyright © 2000 Kevin Watson