Flight Safety & Operations Manual

[sbritton]

Revised March 2007 (PDF Version)

Section 1. AMA.
All flyers including guests shall be a current member of the Academy of Model Aeronautics [AMA].

Guest flyers who are AMA members may use the site only during the presence of an open member acting as a host. Demonstration flights for non-AMA members are limited to one flight with an open member operating the Buddy Box.

Section 2. BUDDY BOX.
Members or guests who cannot demonstrate the ability to fly in a safe and controlled manner shall be required to fly with the aid of a Buddy Box controlled by an experienced club flyer.

Section 3. SIGN IN.
All flyers should (optional) sign in on the Sign-In sheet before flying. Note if anyone else is using your frequency. If so, inform this person that this frequency will be shared. When more than one flyer is using the same frequency, each flyer is limited to 15 minutes maximum per flight and must have possession of the frequency pin for that channel when turning on their transmitter.

Section 4. FIELD PASSES.
EDRCF members shall place their field pass on the frequency board in place of the frequency pin they remove. Members with non frequency controlled radios shall place their pins on the designated location
on the frequency board.

Section 5. PARKING.
All vehicles shall be parked on club property adjacent to the Payen Road fence. [No parking on Payen Road]

Section 6. FREQUENCY CONTROL.
All transmitters shall be turned OFF and placed in the transmitter impound shelter upon arrival. Transmitters shall be removed and turned ON only while the pilot has possession of the appropriate frequency pin, and has replaced the pin with his or her nametag. Using your vehicle as impound is
approved.

Section 7. PIT ACTIVITIES.
Taxiing in the pit area is not allowed. The aircraft shall be under physical control at all times. No engine break-in is allowed in the pit area. Running of engines for purposes other than flying should be located in a remote area of the field and away from the shade structure to not interfere with spectators or those flying. All pets shall be kept on a leash and away from the pit area. Aircraft shall face the safety fence during run-up. Pit area is restricted to flyers and flight crew only. Children shall be under direct adult supervision at all times.

Section 8. FLIGHT OPERATIONS:
Direction of all takeoffs and landings shall be into the wind or as determined by a majority of the flyers during cross wind or calm conditions. Note the direction of the RED ARROW located atop of the
Frequency Board. This arrow should be oriented to indicate the takeoff and landing direction. Landing aircraft takes precedence over aircraft taking off. Announced dead-stick approaches take precedence
over all other flight operations. Announce and acknowledge all intentions, especially landings and takeoffs. Pilots shall fly from behind the safety fence and not block access to the runway.

Definitions:
Unrestricted flight areas: The area west of the EDRCF boundary fence (wind sock) and the area within 50 feet of the north and south helipads.

Helicopters: All aircraft capable of unlimited hovering, vertical take off and vertical landing.

3D Airplanes: Aircraft capable of take off within the width of the runway and landing within 25 feet or less. For the purposes of this rule, this category will be aircraft having a wing span of 55 inches or less

Park Fliers: Fixed wing aircraft capable of hand launch and spot landing (such as IFOs).

Fixed Wing: Aircraft requiring the entire EDRCF runway for take off and landing as well as 3D airplanes with wing spans of 4 feet or greater.

Safe Distance: As defined by the AMA safety rule, aircraft must remain 25 feet from any individual except for take off and landing. The pilot and his helper may be closer than 25 feet.

Field Airspace Rules:
All aircraft are permitted to fly at the EDRCF field and in the general surrounding areas except as noted below or other sections of the Field Rules.

All flight operations will be within all the requirements of the AMA rules.

Student pilots will have priority over other flight operations.

Other than student pilots, fixed wing aircraft will have top priority access to the EDRCF runway.

During take off and landing, fixed wing will have priority access to the runway. When fixed wing aircraft are taking off or landing, all other aircraft will go to the unrestricted areas or land.

The general priority to the runway will be in the following order: Fixed wing, 3D aircraft, Park Flyers, helicopters.

In accordance with the above rules the following are permitted.
1. Helicopters may fly and hover over the runway as long as they remain 25 feet or more from all other individuals (approximately mid runway). However if a fixed wing aircraft is in the air or preparing to
take off or land, the helicopter must land or go to the unrestricted area.

2. 3D aircraft may use the runway area for low speed aerobatics. They must remain a safe distance from other individuals (25 feet) and they must go to the unrestricted areas when fixed wing aircraft are
in the air, landing or taking off.

3. Park fliers may use the runway area for low speed aerobatics. They must remain a safe distance from other individuals (25 feet) and they must go to the unrestricted areas when fixed wing aircraft are in the air, landing or taking off. Depending on the specific model, park fliers may also use the unrestricted helipad area.

4. For safety reasons, high speed flight will always be conducted west of the field boundary (wind sock fence).

There shall be no more than four aircraft in the air at one time. As a courtesy to a flyer requesting a maiden flight, other aircraft should remain grounded.

Section 9. NOISE RESTRICTIONS.
All engines shall have an effective muffler capable of reducing the sound output to a maximum of 94 DB or to AMA or county requirements, whichever is lower. Sound shall be measured in accordance
with the AMA sound guidelines. Persons operating aircraft suspected of not meeting these requirements must submit to testing when requested by a Board member or Event Director. Members may have their aircraft sound tested by arrangement with the Board.

Section 10. SITE USAGE.
The site may be closed for flight operations by the Field Marshal or Board member during routine and special maintenance. No flight operations are permitted during this time. Engine run-up and other nonflight activities are permitted. Normal flight operations may be suspended a maximum of 12 days per calendar year during special events at the discretion of the Event Director.

Section 11. GASOLINE POWERED AIRCRAFT.
Due to the high fire hazard present during the dry summer months, the operation of gasoline powered aircraft shall be limited to those months when no fire hazard exists. These dates shall be determined
each year by the Field Marshall with the approval of the Board.

Section 12. SECURITY.
EDRCF members shall be responsible for opening the site and ensuring that the site is secure upon leaving.

Section 13. SAFETY CODE.
EDRCF adopts the AMA Safety Code. Any person in violation of any EDRCF or AMA rule, regulation, or other requirement, and causing the loss of another’s aircraft or other personal possession
shall be required to make satisfactory restitution to that person.

Section 14. CONFORMITY.
Consistent failure of a member to follow these requirements may be grounds for removal from the flying site and/or removal from the club for a period of time to be determined by the Board.

Section 15. CHANGES.
Flying Site Safety and Flight Operating rules may be revised only after the proposed changes have been posted in the News Letter and followed by a favorable vote of a 2/3 majority at a general meeting attended by a quorum of 20 members.
END