The Balsa Busters R/C Flying Club has established a set of
Safety rules for the use of flying sites by club members and guests. Many of
the rules have been recommended by the AMA and are necessary to maintain a
safe environment for pilots as well as spectators and other visitors to the
site. We ask that everyone at the site obey the rules so that our modeling
activities remain accident free. Your cooperation is appreciated and respected.
Flying site rules apply to all flying sites and other such
sites at which the club may choose to conduct its activities, including flying
demonstrations and visiting other fields as a representative of the club.
1. Member Conduct
a.
These
rules apply to all members at the field, or any location or function the
members are there representing the club.
b.
All
members are expected to act in a manner that does not put the club at risk or cause
loss of membership.
c.
Any
form of assault, or battery by definition which also includes verbal abuse, taunting,
threats or physical violence attempted or actual, towards members or visitors will
not be tolerated; any member(s) involved in these actions will be terminated at
the direction of the Club Officers.
d.
Club
Officers will meet and determine the action the club will take for these
offenses. All decisions made at that
meeting are final.
e.
The
member(s) that were involved will be notified of the decision made at the
Officers meeting, either verbally or written communications.
f.
If a
member is suspended or terminated NO dues will be refunded and said member(s)
will not be permitted at the club field or any club function during the
suspension or termination period.
g.
At
anytime the Club Officers feel any member is becoming a liability to the club
or said member is causing loss of membership due to his/her actions, the club
officers can make the determination to bring action towards that member.
2. Use of club facilities is limited to AMA members
invited to participate in club contests, club members and guests of club
members.
Guests must qualify as follows:
a.
Guests,
due to insurance regulations, must show proof of current AMA membership and
must be accompanied by a club member. Out of town guests may use the facilities
for a total of three weeks per calendar year and are considered to be those
visiting from outside of Clearfield and Jefferson County. Other guests may use
the field once before applying for membership.
b.
The
host member is responsible for informing the guest of flying site rules.
c.
Non-participating
guests are to remain clear of the flight line and pit areas.
d.
Club
members are NOT to give the guest a key to the club locks.
3. Pilots must display on their person proof of current
club and AMA membership.
4. Club members and/or guests are not to rearrange the
flying site facilities or the surrounding natural habitat without prior
approval of the clubs officers and board of directors.
5. Pilots must obey the Official AMA " Safety
Code". Particular attention is drawn to rule number 7: "I will not
fly my model unless it is identified with my name and address or AMA number on
or in the model."
6. All radio equipment must be FCC type approved and
operated according to FCC regulations, including licensing where required
(i.e., 6-meter ham band).
7. Frequency Control is always in effect:
a.
Place
your card in the frequency slot or select a frequency pin.
b.
Remove
your card from the frequency slot or replace the frequency pin in its position.
8. While flying...
a.
Pilot
must stand behind the designated flight line.
b.
Pilot
must remain on the flight line with radio equipment in hand while in flight.
c.
The
operator of a radio-controlled model aircraft shall control it during the
entire flight, maintaining visual contact without enhancement other than by
corrective lenses that are prescribed for the pilot.
9. Engines, etc...
a.
All
engines must meet the noise level requirement of the flying site where it is
being flown (see below dB requirements).
b.
No
full-power engine run-ups are permitted in the pits. Engine run-ups are to take
place at the flight station with the airplane's nose headed towards the runway,
or at a designated run-up area. The aircraft should be physically restrained.
c.
All
planes & heli’s will be started and tuned at a designated area away from
the clubhouse. No planes should be
started or engine ran up in the clubhouse area nor shall they be taxied to or
from the clubhouse to the flight line
10. At no time will prop blast be directed at another
model or person.
11. Flight operations...
a.
Flying
over, near or to the rear of the flight line, pits or social areas is strictly
prohibited.
b.
Low
passes, speed runs and bomb drops must be done beyond the far edge of the
runway and they are not to interfere with take-offs and landings.
c.
Under
no circumstances is flying over any public road permitted.
d.
Acrobatics
are to be performed beyond the runways outer edge and beyond the pit/flight
stations if on takeoff.
e.
Take-offs
must be started after the aircraft has taxied out of the designated taxi area
and has reached the confines of the runway and must be announced. Flight
instructors must assist those who persist in rolling across the sidelines.
f.
Hand
launches must be made in a direction away from the pits and social areas and
must be from a runway clear of people and planes.
g.
Dead
stick landings always have the right of way and must be announced.
h.
Landings
have the right of way over take-off and must be announced.
i.
Before
going onto the runway, announce your intentions and watch for model aircraft,
which have the right of way.
j.
The
flight line shall be maintained and observed at all times, and no member should
cross the flight line unless they are retrieving r/c equipment. Any member that crosses the flight line
shall make his/her intentions known to other pilot before crossing flight
line. All members that cross the flight
line must understand that once on the field the planes have the right of
way. Once you state your intentions
make your way to your equipment and get off the closest exit possible. Don’t attempt to work on or start your
equipment while in the flying field.
12. New members with supposed flying experience shall be
required to have a flight check out by an instructor before being issued a
membership card. Other members under flight instruction shall be requiring a
buddy box/instructor until they pass their solo flight proficiency check.
13. Due to AMA Insurance regulations, lack of compliance
with any of the above rules is cause for immediate grounding of the offending
pilot until the problem is corrected.
14. It is the responsibility off ALL CLUB MEMBERS to OBEY
the rules. Repeating offenses must be brought to the attention of the club
officers.
15. Infractions of any rule may result in the Board of
Directors suspending, terminating or revoking any or all privileges and club
membership.
16. The club facilities shall at all times be kept clean
of trash and litter.
17. The flying site rules may be changed by amendment. The
proposed amendment shall be read at a regular monthly meeting an shall be voted
upon. The proposed amendment shall be accepted by two thirds of the members
present and voting at said meeting.
18. Parking, All parking at the field should be behind the
clubhouse in the designated parking area except for trailers. Trailers can be parked 30-40 feet on the
left side of the clubhouse and the end of the trailer should not extend past
the clubhouse frame.
19.
Cohabitation with Wildlife – No club member, AMA member or training student
shall intentionally fly or chase wildlife.
20. All site flying rules and AMA Safety Code rules are to
be posted at the club.