Club Rules

BMFA

Newark and District Model Flying Group is affiliated to the BMFA and therefore requires our Members, Guests , and Visitors to adhere to both the BMFA guidelines and these Site Specified rules:-

1. All members must observe field discipline and comply with the Air Navigation Order, all relevant BMFA safety codes as contained within the BMFA Members’ Handbook and Civil Aviation publication (CAP) 658.

2. Definition: - An “engine” will include I.C./Petrol/Electric Motor/Turbine

3. On matters of field safety needing an immediate decision, the responsibility lies with Chairman, Safety Officers or Instructors. Any instructions must be accepted without dissent.

4. Any pilot not holding their solo qualification for the type of aircraft they are flying must not fly without the supervision of an instructor or any member holding the MINIMUM BMFA certificate for that type of aircraft.

5. Due consideration must be given at all times to trainee or novice pilots in the circuit. In the event that the pleasure or concentration of a pilot is affected by the flying style of another, precedence will be given to the pilot who was airborne first.

INTIMIDATING FLYING OF ANY SORT IS NOT PERMITTED

6. A maximum of 6 small aircraft or 2 Large Scale or 1 Large aerobatic, shall be only airborne at the same time.

7. All flying is to be done in the designated areas identified


8. All fliers must observe the established flight line and stand in the designated area whilst flying.
Any variation to suit daily conditions may be made by the Club’s safety officer. Any spectators must remain in a safe area whilst flying is in progress

9. Any person wishing to enter or cross the runway area must seek clearance from any pilots flying at the time before doing so.


10. All Aircraft, Drones, Helicopters etc, Must be parked in the designated area to avoid accidental damage and return to the area once a flight has been completed .

11. Should an aircraft go out of control, the first priority must be:

  1. The safety of persons within the vicinity
  2. Then avoidance of damage to property.
  3. A WARNING IS TO BE SHOUTED BY THE PILOT WHICH IS TO BE TAKEN UP BY OTHER MEMBERS.

12. Before starting an engine the model must be suitably restrained either by a tether or by an Human Helper/Assistant.

13. In the interest of safety, assistance should be sought when running up engines and taking models to the runway for take-off.

14. Appropriate use should be made of all available pit areas, and under no circumstances should engines be set up in the immediate vicinity of the pilots who are flying at that time.

15. Under no circumstances must an engine be run unless all persons are behind the line of the propeller with the exception of the person starting the engine.
When carrying out power checks all persons including the pilot are to be behind the line of the propeller.

16. Engines running on the ground must not be left unattended.

17. It is recommended all new or repaired models should be checked out by a competent club member before flying. All models are subject to random safety spot checks which will be carried out by a competent club member. If in their opinion a model is unsafe to fly or does not conform to Club rules, it will be grounded until rectified.

18. A failsafe is required to be set prior to operation of the model, must be checked prior to use.


19. Smoking is not permitted in the vicinity of flammable fuels and materials. and in the designated area

20. Children must be closely supervised at all times and must not be allowed to run around the Pit area, Flight line or Runways.

21. No dogs are allowed at the flying field unless kept on a lead or tethered.

22. Any accident involving a third party or another member must be reported to the club Chairperson or Safety officer

23. Guests Flyer's may fly at the discretion of the Club. Permission must be obtained before flying. The Club member is solely responsible for the guest & must ensure that they are is fully conversant with the Club Rules. Proof of current CAA OP ID & BMFA insurance must be provided if requested by a club member. Prospective members with the permission of a Club member and at the discretion of the Chairman/Safety Officer, may be given 3 (THREE) trial days before they are required to join; this is covered by the BMFA insurance scheme, unless the prospective member has proof of BMFA Country Membership.

24. The flying field is primarily for the use of RC flying models. Other types of model may be flown, provided that they meet the Club flying rules, including safety and noise, and do not interfere with the normal activities of the majority of members.


25. In order to avoid local community problems no jets will be able to fly due to noise footprint. All aircraft must avoid the No FLY ZONE 75m at the entrance of the field

26. All Members that are flying must have a access to the fire extinguishers in the pits.


27. Flying is permitted between the following hours: 9.00am-Dusk. (10am Sundays)


28. When taking off and landing, priority must be given to public walkers and the footpath users.


29. A member about to land has priority over a member about to take off. FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY, members walking onto the field, for any reason, must at all times give way to models approaching, for take-off, landing, low pass etc.

30. Models weighing between 7kg and 20kg are allowed, subject to the following conditions.

  1. The member takes into account the CAA and BMFA recommendations.
  2. The person flying the model holds a BMFA “B” certificate.


31. Models weighing more than 20kg are allowed subject to the following conditions

  1. The member holds a valid CAA exemption certificate, which must be shown before flying.
  2. The conditions of the exemption certificate are complied with.
  3. The person flying the model holds a BMFA “B” certificate.
  4. A member holds the LMA Proficiency

32. All models must be effectively silenced and conform to the noise (where possible) limit set down in the BMFA code of practice pilots are encouraged to have their models noise tested.

33. Members may ask other members to fly their aircraft, for any reason, such as, testing or training purposes. However, the member owning the aircraft must agree that the member providing the assistance will not be responsible should any damage result to the aircraft. This rule does not affect the position with regard to third party damage, as covered by the pilots insurance.

34. Members using petrol or diesel powered generators to charge batteries should place their generators well away from other members who are set up in the pits area. It is suggested they use either far end of the pits area for this activity. Generators (or car engines being run as generators) should not be used in the car parking area directly behind the central pits area but should be positioned at either far end of the car park away from all buildings and huts.

NOTE:
All Persons taking part will be expected to observe these rules in conjunction with particular rules applied to the NADMFG flying sites and the appropriate CAA OP ID/B.M.F.A. regulations. NADMFG flying field regulations may be adjusted should circumstances demand this.

Remember:

SAFE FLYING IS NO ACCIDENT!
Model fliers have a number of legal obligations set out in CAA publication CAP 658 and the guidance contained within the BMFA Members' Handbook is generally designed to ensure that if followed, members will comply with current requirements.

  1. NADMFG WITHAM FIELD SITE SAFETY RULES

    1.     Flying behind the pilots' line, over the pits & spectators is prohibited.

    2.     Operators of gasoline powered aircraft are required to have a fire extinguisher within reachable distance of the aircraft. An ABC type extinguisher is recommended, there are 2 extinguishers, one water, one powder for club use.

    3.     When starting an engine, warn people to stay clear of the propeller arc.

    4.     Direct propeller blast away from other Aircraft, People & Vehicles.

    5.     Perform initial turn after take-off away from the pits, spectators, and parking area. Thereafter, do not perform maneuverer's, flights of any sort, or landing over the pits, spectators, or parking area.

    6.     No flying, landing or take-off between the pilot's stations and edge of runway, unless it is an extreme emergency and you have to ditch, then call out.

    7.     Stand on the pilot's station line where designated by the club, when flying.

    8.     Do not take off or land toward the spectators or pit area.

    9.     In the event of problems, announce an emergency, attempt to fly away from the pits, parking and spectators, and land immediately. If you have to ditch for any reason call it out?

    10.   Do not go onto the runway unless absolutely necessary. At such times, give a loud verbal warning of your presence, making sure you are not running in front of an aircraft in motion. Stay only as long as necessary and announce verbally when you are clear of the runway.

    11.   Do not start your taxi until you have checked to make sure the runway is clear and no one is making a landing approach. Call Out "TAXI" when entering the runway.

    12.   The flyer of a "dead stick" model or a model experiencing problems, shall loudly and clearly warn others of the situation. Landing priority will be given immediately.

    13.   Do not run engines or motors up or taxi in the pits, parking or assembly areas.

    14.  DO NOT START OR RUN IC ENGINES WITH A PERSON(S) STOOD IN FRONT OF THE ARICRAFT OR WHEN SAOID PERSON(S) ARE ON THE FLIGHT LINE IN CONTROL OF THEIR AIRCRAFT

 

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