(Extracted from the 2006 HMAC members handbook on 19th November 2005. The section on use of 2.4GHz equipment approved by committee on 2nd February 2007). (Latest amendment No 3/2008 added 26/6/08).
As stated in the Club Constitution the Committee have a Duty of Care to the Club and its Members. The Members also have a Duty of Care to the Club and other Members. Part of this Duty of Care is to abide by the Club’s Rules and Procedures and to ensure that all Members do so. In this light the Committee are responsible for amending, updating and creating new rules as they deem required.
This page contains rules on the following topics:
- Safety Code for General Flying
- Car Parking and Care of the Field
- Frequency Control System
- Pits
- Engine Test Area
- Starting Box
- Procedure on the Flying Strip
- Proficiency Tests
- Model Inspection (Mandatory before Flying)
- Noise Test (Mandatory before Flying)
- Transgressions
- Map of Flying Field
- Safety Code for General Flying
Mobile phones must not be used within 5 metres of a transmitter.
The general Safety Code that Members have to observe is contained within the BMFA Handbook. All Members must comply with CAA regulations as stated in CAP658 as applicable to any mod
el they fly. All Members are subject to these standards to comply with the Terms of Insureance.
Where HMAC rules and procedures are stricter than the BMFA, and such rules are either published in the HMAC handbook, the Clubhouse noticeboard, or by individual notification, such procedures and rules supersede those of the BMFA on Club sites.
Car Parking and Care of the Field
Car parking is to the south side of the Clubhouse and against the brook.
In very wet weather cars must be left just inside the gate.
Any damage to the field surface must be made good by the Member.
All Members are required to complete the Attendance Book, on the appropriate dated page, whenever they fly, to show name, signature, time of arrival, and time of departure. (added 24/04/2008 per committee-approved amendment slip 2/2008)
Frequency Control System
The permitted frequencies are those channels allocated in the 35MHz and 459MHz and 2GHz bands. 27MHz may be used for gliders and low powered electric models only.
The Club operates the PEG OFF system. The correct frequency peg must be taken from the Peg Board before a transmitter is switched on.
Each set of pegs is colour coded coded and only those from the set in current use are valid. If a peg is missing the whole set must be withdrawn immediately and the set replaced. Replacement sets of different colour-codes are available from the steel locker in the clubhouse. Notify the secretary when this has been necessary and at the same time return the removed set, by post if necessary.
When a peg is missing under no circumstances may that
frequency channel be used even if you are the only person wishing to fly. An investigation must be made before changing a peg-set as, for example, a flyer may be searching for a lost model and taken the transmitter with them.
Maximum of 4 [four] models airborne at any time.
Addendum regarding use of 2.4GHz equipment:
We will use a “peg-off” system in the same way as for other frequencies. There will be four BLACK PEGS on the board. If you use 2.4 GHz you must take one of those pegs before switching on. When you have finished, put the peg back on the board. The maximum of FOUR aircraft in the air at any time still applies, irrespective of which band you are using. It is also good practice to carry out a range check on a regular basis. If you choose to use 2.4 GHz please let the club secretary know in the same way as you do for 35Mhz channels.
Pits
This area is to be immediately in front of the parked cars.
Assembly of a model takes place in this area.
A Frequency Peg must be obtained before switching on the transmitter. Transmitter aerial must not be extended by more than one section in this area.
For safety reasons running of engines in this area is strictly forbidden and doing so would lead to termination of membership.
Before assembly, models must be checked for damage in transportation.
The Frequency peg must be returned to the peg-board if flight is not imminent. Do not hog a peg.
Engine Test Area
When a model is brought to the field in an unprepared state and requires the setting up of an engine this must be carried out in the engine test area.
The area, situated to the North side of the Clubhouse and against the brook, is to clearly marked with a tape barrier [kept in the Clubhouse]. It is the responsibilty of the person using the facility to erectand remove this barrier. NO CHILDREN OR PUBLIC ALLOWED IN THIS AREA.
A Frequency peg must be obtained and returned on completion of setting up unless noise test or flight is imminent.
Aerial extended no more than one section in this area.
As a model should be brought to the field already set up priority for the use of a frequency peg should go to a pilot waiting to fly.
Starting Box
The Starting Box is strictly out of bounds to the Public and to unsupervised Junior Members.
A Starting Box is provided, sited between the Flying Strip and the Pits. This must be marked out using barrier tape and electric fence posts. This barrier is to be stored in the Clubhouse and erected by members prior to flying. Even if only one member is present this must be done.
Only Pilot[s] and helper preparing for flight should be present in the starting box [Committee Members carrying out checks and inspections excepted].
Pilot[s] must be in possession of correct Frequency Peg. Transmitter aerials extended by no more than one section.
Model must be positioned facing away from pits and angled so that in case of a runaway, the direction would be away from pilots flying.
Before starting a motor the model must be securely restrained either by your helper or be mechanical means. When starting a motor by hand it is advisable to use some hand protection. Check motor tuning.
If on PCM radio or with a separate FailSafe fitted THIS MUST BE CHECKED for CORRECT OPERATION before each flight. (Your transmitter could have developed a fault or the memory wiped clean by a mobile ‘phone)
Before leaving the Starting Box move all equipment to one side, out of the way of others and remove all to pits area when flying is completed.
Procedure on the Flying Strip
The Flying Strip is Out of Bounds to non-members and spectating members.
All Members are required to complete the Attendance Book, on the appropriate dated page, whenever they fly, to show name, signature, time of arrival, and time of departure. (added 24/04/2008 per committee-approved amendment slip 2/2008)
The Model must be restrained during transit from the starting Box to the take off point.
On reaching the pilots position the transmitter aerial must be then fully extended, not before.
Check with other pilots:
— Clear to enter strip?
— Clear to take off?
— Direction of flying circuit.
Call all manoeuvres clearly.
On landing do ask for clearance to enter flying area to recover a model or taxi to a safe postition, not the pilot’s box, and cut engine.
Switch off receiver
Switch off transmitter
Collapse transmitter aerial to minimum.
Finally return Frequency Peg to the peg-board and clear all equipment from the Start Box if finished.
Designated Flying Areas
Please see map below of the designated flying areas and flying layout.
Proficiency Tests
NO MEMBER IS PERMITTED TO FLY UNSUPERVISED UNTIL PASSING THE BMFA “A” TEST. THIS APPLIES TO ALL CATEGORIES OF MODEL, INCLUDING LOW POWERED ELECTRIC MODELS. Details of the scheme are published in the BMFA Handbook and on the BMFA Website. Names of approved Club Examiners are available from the Club Secretary.
The club offers training by registered Club Instructors, including the use of a dual control Club training model, to BMFA “A” test standard and has BMFA Examiners available.
Registered Club Instructors have been cleared by the Criminal Records Bureau via the BMFA in line with BMFA policy.
The Club has a defined policy on working with Young Persons and Vulnerable Adults, copies of which are available from the Secretary. A summary of this policy is sent to all parents of young people upon application to join the Club, and the policy is made known to other responsible adults as appropriate.
The LMA, Scottish Flying Association and RAF MAA proficiency passes are acceptable alternatives to the “A” test.
The Committee reserves the right to test all applicants for membership regardless of their certification, and may withhold permission to fly unsupervised if standards are deemed unacceptable. This also applies to existing members.
(NB: Some Members already hold the Club Proficiency certificate which permits them to fly unsupervised. This certificate is no longer offered.)
Model Inspection (To be completed before a model is first flown).
The integrity of your models is totally your responsibility and is essential therefore that you consider your model safe for flight. Please note that additional requirements exist for models over 7Kg, details of which may be obtained from the Secretary. Further special regulations exist for models over 20Kg. Contact the Club Secretary for advice. Advice is available through all committee members. Comments may be noted on the Noise Test Form.
Noise Test (Per amendment slip 3/2008).
To be carried out by a Committee Member for mandatory ground test, and with another adult Club Member for the optional air-test (see below). No-one can test their own model. NO MODEL MAY BE FLOWN WITHOUT PASSING THE NOISE TEST.
Air tests are required ONLY when a ground test reads 82dBA on any reading. Committee member plus one adult member (not the aircraft owner) required for air test. A model with readings below 82dbA will not normally require an air test although any model can be required to take a full test if it is, in the opinion of any committee member, unduly noisy.
ALL models require airframe inspection, including electric-powered ones.
Ground Test (conducted by committee member)
During a test the area must be kept clear of all persons except the pilot, an assistant (if necessary) and the tester.
ENGINES MUST BE TUNED FOR PEAK REVS. AND THE REVOLUTIONS RECORDED ON THE TEST FORM.
If using PCM radio the fail safe operation will be checked.
The test is conducted 7 metres from the model using the Club’s standard length of cord as measure.
All tests must be carried out over short grass well away from hedges, trees and buildings.
Wind speed should not exceed 10 mph and the test site arranged so that wind does not blow across or into the meter microphone.
The meter must be held to one side of the tester’s body as the type of clothing worn can either reflect or absorb sound, giving a false reading.
The front of the meter is held 1m above one end of the 7m cord.
The model is held 1m above the other end, with the engine over the measure point.
Measurements are taken from left, front, rear and right by rotating the model. WHEN TAKING THE FRONT, LEFT AND RIGHT TESTS THE MODEL MUST BE SO HELD THAT THE HOLDER IS ON THE SIDE AWAY FROM THE TESTER. WHEN TAKING THE REAR TEST, HELD SO THAT THE EXHAUST IS NOT MASKED BY THE HOLDER’S BODY.
Large models too heavy to hold will be placed on the ground and rotated in that position. Although there is no strict definition of a large model, for our purpose we will consider any model with an engine capacity from 20cc upwards to come into this category.
On the test form the following are recorded:
Name, Model , Date, Engine, Prop, Silencer, Revs. (The tester should also note any Fail-safe test).
With the meter set at dbA SLOW response the four readings are recorded on the form.
A ground reading of over 82dbA will FAIL the test.
(After testing, advice may be given on how to further reduce noise and reference to records held in the clubhouse would give guidance.
(Optional)AIR TEST:
A Committee Member and one adult Club Member are required – this test will normally only be carried out immediately after a successful ground test where a maximum reading of 82dBA was recorded.
A short flight is permitted before this test, if required, in order to safely trim the model.
The noise meter is set at a position some 40-43 meters from the centre of the strip, on the Clubhouse side. The meter is set at dbA FAST response.
The model is flown, at full throttle, each way along the strip at twice the height of a normal house, or about 45 ft./13m high.
For this test the pilot may move nearer the centre of the strip to help position the model. Supervising, the second tester will advise on correct positioning and ensure the model is operated at full power.
A reading of no greater than 71 dbA is to achieved.
Testing should not be carried out in a wind over 10 mph. The wind should not blow into or across the microphone.
Results are to be recorded on the pro-forma.
AFTER TESTING:
After successful testing authorisation will be given to fly. Comments may be made and advice given on reducing levels still further. A copy of the test form will be sent to the Member as proof of results. THIS SHOUD BE KEPT WITH THE MODEL AS SPOT CHECKS MAY BE CARRIED OUT. Copies of all tests are filed in the Clubhouse. These can be useful reference sources for various engine/prop/silencer combinations. Click here to view our noise test results analysis.
A FAILED MODEL MUST NOT BE FLOWN. Any Member can request that a model be re-tested.
Transgressions
In cases where a Member declines to follow Club Rules or Procedures the Committee will, in the first instance, give a verbal warning to the Member and have this recorded at the next committee meeting.
A further misdemeanour would result in a warning letter. If that Member does not respond positively to a written warning then the Committe will recommend to an AGM or EGM that the Member should have his membership terminated.
In a case of serious misconduct the Committee may invoke immediate suspension, ask the Member to appear before the Committee, and, should it be found necessary, then recommend to an AGM or EGM that the Member be expelled.