SECTION TWO                                CLUB RULES

 This section is for general rules and may be amended by the committee as and when required.

1.                 General Flying rules.

(a)             All models must conform to current BMFA specifications and their general rules adhered to at all times.

(b)            BMFA Rule Books can be obtained direct from the BMFA head office.

(c)             All engines must be effectively silenced to meet the current BMFA/DoE code of practice requirement, and must be fitted with a propeller made of wood or composite material (Not metal).

(d)            All models to be flown with care at all times.   Models must not be flown in an unairworthy condition.

(e)             If any member should observe another member deliberately disregarding the club rules, he/she is entitled to ask them to stop and if necessary refer the member to the committee.

(f)              Any member failing to comply with the club rules or decisions will forfeit all membership rights.

(g)             All flying to take place in the designated areas at each flying field and only on the specified days.

(h)             When recovering models from adjoining property, be particularly careful of fencing and close all gates because of any livestock.

(i)              Do not enter areas of growing crops to recover a model until express permission has been obtained from a committee member (normally the field representative). No more than two members may enter an area of growing crops to recover a model

(j)              No surface vehicles (R/C cars, etc.) may be operated on club fields.

(k)             Members must carry and produce on request their coloured plastic membership card when using club flying fields.

(l)              Novice card holders may not fly fixed or rotary wing aircraft unless accompanied by an A or B qualified pilot.

(m)          A member must hold an A certificate for a minimum of 6 months before being eligible to accompany a Novice pilot for training purposes.

(n)             Guests

(i)              Non-Flying

Members are entitled to bring their families and occasional friends to club flying fields.  All members must understand that model flying can be dangerous and potentially lethal and they will be responsible for non-members’ actions and behavior.   No dogs are allowed on club flying fields.

(ii)           Flying

Members wishing to bring an occasional flying guest to club flying fields must first, at least 24 hours in advance, notify a committee member and give details of guest's name, address and insurance, which must be produced on arrival at the flying field.

It is not expected that a guest flyer will live within the club’s catchment area.

Members are reminded that they are responsible for their guest’s actions and that club rules must be observed at all times.

No guest flying may take place without a red or blue card holder

A or B qualified pilot being present.

(iii) All club members and their guests must stay in a designated safe zone when not flying a model as designated by the field (or acting field) representative of the day.

2.                 Radio Control

(a)              At the present time there are three separate bands upon which model aircraft can be operated.   These bands are then sub-divided into spot frequencies.   All transmissions on club fields must be upon one of the following spot frequencies and all transmitters must have attached the appropriate pennant.

27 MHz Band                Identification by colour pennant.

 35 MHz Band                      Identification by orange pennant with white channel number.           

UHF band

39 channels are also available on the UHF band at 10 MHz spacing from 458.525 MHz (channel 1) to 459.475 MHz (channel 39); however, some of these frequencies are shared with other users and caution is advised (see BMFA handbook).

        INFORMATION

On arrival at the club field a member will inform all those present what frequency or frequencies he/she is intending to use, and enquire what frequencies are in use by other members.

Each member will supply his/her own frequency control peg which will be clearly marked with his/her name.

(b)             A frequency control peg board is available for each field; these boards will be stored in a pre-determined place relevant to each field.   The first member on the field must collect this board and erect it at the take off area.   The last member to leave must return it to its correct location.   Before attempting to switch on the TX a member will attach his/her peg to the appropriate frequency spot on the board.  The board is arranged to have a queuing system.   The first flyer will put his/her peg on the top position.  He/she will be the only one allowed to operate a TX on that frequency.   The second and subsequent flyers will place their pegs in the lower queuing positions.   As each flyer finishes his/her flight, he/she will remove the peg from the top and place at the bottom of the queuing position.  On no account must anyone remove another member’s peg without their permission and NEVER switch on without the peg being in the top position.

(c)              All 35 MHz equipment must have a manufacturer’s certification of conformance to defined standards.

REMEMBER - A radio-controlled model can be lethal; always follow scrupulously the club radio rules and fly with care.

3.                 Free Flight.  At the present time all club flying sites are rather small and not particularly suitable for free flight.  

4.                 Control Line.

(a)             Attention is drawn to BMFA members’ handbook, safety code part 3, control line

(b)            Flying of control line models on approved public parks in the Wycombe area is not allowed unless sufficient assistance is available to ensure public safety.

(c)             Control line flying at the club radio control sites can only take place with the express permission of the appropriate field representative.

5.       Insurance.

(a)             All members are covered by BMFA insurance.

(b)            When flying away from recognised club sites it is the responsibility of the member to ensure that he/she is legally entitled to do so and that bye-laws are not infringed.   For those wishing to obtain proof of insurance for competition purposes, this can be obtained from the treasurer.   In the event of an accident, never admit liability, do not mention you are covered by insurance, inform the secretary immediately.  Then carry out the instructions that will be provided by the insurance company.

6.       Unlawful radio transmission equipment, including Citizens’ band radios, are banned from club flying fields unless permission has been given by the main committee to operate them in connection with a club event. Mobile phones must not be operated within the proximity of operating transmitters.

7.                 Large Models.

(a)             Club members wishing to build a model over the BMFA weight limit must notify a club official of their intentions.

(b)            The Pilot must be the holder of the highest proficiency certificate issued by the BMFA which is applicable to the type of aircraft involved.   Pilots who in the past have flown irresponsibly and without due care may not be permitted to fly larger models or only under supervision of a club-appointed official.

(c)             All large models must be registered with the club secretary, detailing full model specification.   Registration forms are available from the secretary.

(d)            All large models must have a CAA exemption certificate where applicable, and the owner must abide by all the conditions set out in the certificate.

(e)             All large models must be fitted with a fully operating fail-safe device which must be demonstrated in flight, if and when requested by a club official.

8.                 The committee reserves the right to ban any model they feel unsafe from being flown on club fields and if               necessary to expel any member for breach of club rules.

9.                 The committee reserves the right to refuse membership to any applicant.   Applications for membership may be refused if the applicant lives outside a 10-mile radius of the centre of High Wycombe, or outside a 5-mile radius of a club flying field.

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