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CHRISTCHURCH AND DISTRICT MODEL FLYING CLUB

BMFA  AFFILIATION NUMBER 2581

“All Clubs and organisations have rules...someone has to write them...no-one has to read them.”

Leonard B Wise, at his last Court appearance

RULES

It is the member’s responsibility to familiarise themselves with, and comply with, all bye-laws, regulations, codes of practice etc. applicable to model flying activities. These include Air Navigation Orders, CAA regulations, conditions of insurance, local bye-laws and additional regulations that may relate to particular flying sites or model types.

Members must always ascertain, and adhere to, any frequency control method and any take-off, launching or landing conventions in use on a particular occasion.

Members are at all times to have the utmost regard for public safety and for the reputation of the Club.

Members are individually solely responsible for any claims or liabilities arising from their model flying activities and indemnify the committee from any claims or liabilities.

If possible the Club will provide Three Separate Day visits (Sampler Sessions) to a First Time Inexperienced Flyer or prospective member, using Club equipment if needed. This activity will be insured by virtue of the Club’s membership of the BMFA. Thereafter, if it is their wish to continue flying, they will be required to have membership of the Club & BMFA. Any further training will be given & supervised using their own equipment. If asked, advice, without prejudice, will be given for the purchase of suitable equipment.

Changes or additions to these rules will be publicised to members and shall become effective immediately.

In the interests of the Club as a whole, the membership of any member continually disobeying these rules will be terminated.

Code of Practice (Fawcett’s Field)

1. The flying of model aircraft at Fawcett’s Field recreation ground is permitted for members of Christchurch and District Model Flying Club (“The Club”) only.

2. All Club members flying model aircraft at Fawcett’s Field must carry proof of membership at all times.

3. Whilst Club members are using Fawcett’s Field for the purposes of flying model aircraft they shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that no non-club members are flying model aircraft there.

4. All problems encountered by Club members with members of the public are to be advised promptly to a committee member.

5. The Club members shall only fly during daylight hours and shall not fly when other authorised activities, particularly football, render it unsafe to do so.

6. The Club members shall indemnify and keep indemnified the Council against all losses, claims, demands, actions, proceedings, damages, costs or expenses or other liability arising in any way from the flying of model aircraft from Fawcetts Field or any breach of this code of practice or from or in connection with the use of Fawcett’s Field by members of the Club. This is covered by the compulsory BMFA membership.

7. No over-flying of residential properties is permitted.

8. Flying of glider or electrically driven model aircraft only is permitted.

9. Without prejudice to the generality of 8 above the flying of petrol vapour or combustible substance driven model aircraft is not authorised.

10. The Council reserve the right to vary or add to this code of practice at any time on giving previous written notice to the club.

11. The Club shall ensure that all members using Fawcett’s Field for the purposes of flying model aircraft are made aware of and undertake to comply with this code of practice.

Additional Club Regulations

In addition to the Code of Practice drawn up by the New Milton Town Council, the following Club Regulations also apply.

Winch launching is not permitted.

If other organised activities are taking place (e.g. football matches, caravan rallies) such that model flying may present a safety hazard or cause annoyance or inconvenience to others, flying is not permitted.

Guidelines

1. If confronted by a non-member determined to fly, please proceed as follows:

(i) Explain that it is a New Milton Town Council requirement that flying be restricted to C&DMFC members only and do all that you reasonably can to persuade the flyer concerned not to fly.

(ii) .If persuasion fails, try to find out as much as possible about the culprit and if possible note his/her car registration number.

(iii) Report the details to a Committee member as soon as possible.

2. If confronted by a complaint, please proceed as follows:

(i) Be polite and try to resolve the matter, but do not get drawn into an argument.

(ii) If the matter cannot be amicably resolved at the time, try to obtain details of the complainant (i.e. name, address, telephone No.) and the reason for the complaint.

(iii) Report details to a member of the Committee as soon as possible.

The above also relate to Stanpit Recreation Ground and Christchurch Borough Council.

Flight Safety Procedures

Frequency Control

On arrival at any site please make sure that you understand the method of frequency control in use. Usually this takes the form of a peg board and the simple rule is, if you are on 35 Mhz you must not operate any transmitter (not even in the car park with the aerial down!) unless you have the appropriate peg or your peg is on the pegboard. The peg on system will be used on all Club sites including 2.4 Ghz if required, so, please be sure you have a BLACK peg for 2.4 Ghz or pegs with your 35 Mhz frequency number and name on for all your frequencies.

Pre Flight Procedures

Check airframe for transit damage, noting the following specific points:

1. Attachment of control surfaces.

2. Security of clevises, control linkages etc.

3. Security of electrical connections etc.

Find duty marshal and ascertain transmitter line, pit areas and peg procedures for the day.

Comply with peg frequency system.

Start Up Procedures. (S.M.A.R.T.) Check that receiver and transmitter battery is adequately charged before each flight.

S = Switch on transmitter, switch on receiver (in that order).

M = Meter check for adequate transmitter voltage.

A = Aerial secure and fully extended.

R = Rate switches in correct position for model to be flown.

T = Trim switches in correct position for model to be flown.

Check that all control surfaces move in the correct sense to transmitter stick inputs.

Carry model to the flight line. Do not taxi from the pit area.

Flying Procedures.

Inform other pilots of your intention to take off by calling ”Taking Off” or “Launching” as appropriate.

Look for a clear slot to take off, ensuring no glider or bungee operations are in progress.

Take off and gain a safe altitude, always being aware of any other aircraft flying at that time.

At all times while flying remain at the ‘transmitter line’, unless attempting to recover or avoid a potentially unsafe situation e.g. landing out, in which case inform other pilots at the transmitter line of your intentions.

Do not fly over the transmitter line, pits, parking or private property areas, or any other restricted places defined for that site.

1. Landing Procedures.

Inform other pilots of your intention to land by calling ”Landing Circuit”.

On final downwind leg call “Landing”. You may need to leave the transmitter line to complete this manoeuvre.

In the event of a power failure resulting in the requirement for emergency landing call “Dead Stick” to warn other pilots of your need to land.

2. Retrieval Procedures.

Taxiing

After calling ”Taxiing” the model may be taxied back to the transmitter line. The transmitter being left on until the model is switched off. Do not taxi into the pits area.

By Hand

Call “Retrieving” to inform other pilots you are entering the area and, checking to ensure it is safe to do so, retrieve your model leaving your transmitter on the transmitter line, switched on, until the model is retrieved and switched off.

3. Post Flight.

Receiver off.

Transmitter off.

Comply with peg board system.

Disconnect flight batteries.

If model has been subjected to a heavy landing, check for structural damage, loose linkages etc.

Please note: these simple rules are mandatory for Club flying, the purpose being safe and enjoyable flying for all our members. The ultimate responsibility for safety remains with the pilot.

To make arrangements for instruction contact the Committee.

To take a BMFA “A” test and (hopefully) obtain a Certificate ask your instructor to make arrangements with a Club examiner.

Code of Practice, Strawberry Field, Boldre

This is a Private Site. Only C&DMFC members may use it.

Upon arrival, unlock and open the gates. Drive in and lock the gate shut behind you.

From entrance turn left and drive to parking area by the left hand side of the barn, no closer to the field than the toilets at the end of the barn.

Sign in & place Fee in the letter box located at left hand side of barn, adjacent to parking area.

NO flying over the road, beyond the fence line adjoining the Barn field/parking area & land beyond line of trees & power cables to the SE.

If approached by anyone who has a complaint, talk to them responsibly. Then ring the owner (contact details in Sign In box) and advise immediately. Then ring a Committee member.

See Site Plan on the Club web site & in ‘Sign In’ box for any updated information

Retrieving Model.

Ask anyone flying a model to confirm acceptance for retrieving a model BEFORE entering the flight area.