2005 Safety Code
 

The new 2005 Safety Code, from the work of Bob Underwood, Dave Mathewson and Ron Morgan, is now posted on the AMA site. http://www.modelaircraft.org/PDF-files/105.pdf

Comments?

***********************************

Official Academy of Model Aeronautics National Model Aircraft Safety Code
Effective January 1, 2005

GENERAL

1. A model aircraft shall be defined as a non-human-carrying device capable of sustained flight in the atmosphere. It shall not exceed limitations
established in this code and is intended to be used exclusively for recreational or competition activity.
2. The maximum takeoff weight of a model aircraft, including fuel, is 55 pounds, except for those flown under the AMA Experimental Aircraft Rules.
3. I will abide by this Safety Code and all rules established for the flying site I use. I will not willfully fly my model aircraft in a reckless and/or
dangerous manner.
4. I will not fly my model aircraft in sanctioned events, air shows, or model demonstrations until it has been proven airworthy.
5. I will not fly my model aircraft higher than approximately 400 feet above ground level, when within three (3) miles of an airport without notifying
the airport operator. I will yield the right-of-way and avoid flying in the proximity of full-scale aircraft, utilizing a spotter when appropriate.
6. I will not fly my model aircraft unless it is identified with my name and address, or AMA number, inside or affixed to the outside of the model
aircraft. This does not apply to model aircraft flown indoors.
7. I will not operate model aircraft with metal-blade propellers or with gaseous boosts (other than air), nor will I operate model aircraft with fuels
containing tetranitromethane or hydrazine.
8. I will not operate model aircraft carrying pyrotechnic devices which explode, burn, or propel a projectile of any kind. Exceptions include Free
Flight fuses or devices that burn producing smoke and are securely attached to the model aircraft during flight. Rocket motors up to a G-series size
may be used, provided they remain firmly attached to the model aircraft during flight. Model rockets may be flown in accordance with the National
Model Rocketry Safety Code; however, they may not be launched from model aircraft. Officially designated AMAAir Show Teams (AST) are
authorized to use devices and practices as defined within the Air Show Advisory Committee Document.
9. I will not operate my model aircraft while under the influence of alcohol or within eight (8) hours of having consumed alcohol.
10. I will not operate my model aircraft while using any drug which could adversely affect my ability to safely control my model aircraft.
11. Children under six (6) years old are only allowed on a flightline or in a flight area as a pilot or while under flight instruction.
12. When and where required by rule, helmets must be properly worn and fastened. They must be OSHA, DOT, ANSI, SNELL or NOCSAE
approved or comply with comparable standards.

RADIO CONTROL

1. I will have completed a successful radio equipment ground-range check before the first flight of a new or repaired model aircraft.
2. I will not fly my model aircraft in the presence of spectators until I become a proficient flier, unless I am assisted by an experienced pilot.
3. At all flying sites a straight or curved flightline must be established, in front of which all flying takes place. Only personnel associated with
flying the model aircraft are allowed at or in front of the flightline. In the case of airshows, demonstrations, or competitions, straight lines must be
established. An area away from the flightline must be maintained for spectators. Intentional flying behind the flightline is prohibited.
4. I will operate my model aircraft using only radio-control frequencies currently allowed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Only individuals properly licensed by the FCC are authorized to operate equipment on Amateur Band frequencies.
5. I will not knowingly operate my model aircraft within three (3) miles of any preexisting flying site without a frequency-management agreement.
A frequency-management agreement may be an allocation of frequencies for each site, a day-use agreement between sites, or testing which
determines that no interference exists. A frequency-management agreement may exist between two or more AMA chartered clubs, AMA clubs and
individual AMA members, or individual AMA members. Frequency-management agreements, including an interference test report if the agreement
indicates no interference exists, will be signed by all parties and copies provided to AMA Headquarters.
6. With the exception of events flown under official AMA Competition Regulations rules, after launch, no powered model may be flown outdoors
closer than 25 feet to any individual, except for the pilots and helpers located at the flightline.
7. Under no circumstances may a pilot or other person touch a model aircraft in flight while it is still under power, except to divert it from striking
an individual.
8. Radio-controlled night flying is limited to low-performance model aircraft (less than 100 mph). The model aircraft must be equipped with a
lighting system which clearly defines the aircraft's attitude and direction at all times.
9. The operator of a radio-controlled model aircraft shall control it during the entire flight, maintaining visual contact without enhancement other
than by corrective lenses that are prescribed for the pilot. No model aircraft shall be equipped with devices which allow it to be flown to a selected
location which is beyond the visual range of the pilot.

FREE FLIGHT

1. I will not launch my model aircraft unless I am at least 100 feet downwind of spectators and automobile parking.
2. I will not fly my model aircraft unless the launch area is clear of all individuals except my mechanic, officials, and other fliers.
3. I will use an effective device to extinguish any fuse on the model aircraft after the fuse has completed its function.

CONTROL LINE

1. I will subject my complete control system (including the safety thong where applicable) to an inspection and pull test prior to flying. The pull
test will be in accordance with the current Competition Regulations for the applicable model aircraft category. Model aircraft not fitting a specific
category shall use those pull-test requirements as indicated for Control Line Precision Aerobatics.
2. I will ensure that my flying area is clear of all utility wires or poles and I will not fly a model aircraft closer than 50 feet to any above-ground
electric utility lines.
3. I will ensure that my flying area is clear of all nonessential participants and spectators before permitting my engine to be started.

SPECIALIZED SUPPLEMENTAL SAFETY CODES

Specialized supplemental Safety Codes exist for the following:
RADIO CONTROL COMBAT
GENERAL RADIO CONTROL RACING
GIANT SCALE RADIO CONTROL RACING
GAS TURBINE OPERATION (Note: Special waiver required)
These special codes and appropriate documents may be obtained either from the AMAWeb site or by contacting AMA Headquarters.

RE: 2005 Safety Code
 

general rule #3 has always bothered me.
it provides your private ins co an ability to exclude covverages for safety code violations, just as the code does for the AMA carrier.

RE: 2005 Safety Code
 

If the insurance companies had to pay for every loss caused by someone ignoring the code and/or field safety rules, we could probably kiss any insurance coverage goodbye. Since almost any reasonable cost insurance program is a shared risk program, you would have a large number of people getting hit for stupididity, possibly repeat stupidity, of a relative few.

RE: 2005 Safety Code
 

Lack of a National or State law-making authority is the reason the insurers hang their exclusions on the "Safety Code". It is the only one out there.
Your Home Owners insurance hangs its exclusions on the Building Codes. If your area building codes are less stringent than the National Codes, you will likely pay more--and if your building is in violation of code, you won't get paid when something happens. Been there, had it happen.
Auto insurance hangs on the laws of the road.
Do we really want some sort of Federal "Rules of the Road"? Most of these are pure-d common sense.

RE: 2005 Safety Code
 

Mongo,

I'm with you on that one. It also inhibits clubs from making site-specific safety rules that might be prudent, except that by so doing they would create additional exclusions from AMA insurance coverage.

HOWEVER, while it isn't perfect, the rewrite of the Safety Code is one heck of a big step in the right direction, and I am very pleased with the work of Mssrs. Mathewson, Underwood and Morgan for that. It reads much more clearly, and in some cases manages to make sense out of utter nonsense, e.g., see R/C rule 9. This is no small feat, especially given that Brown is still in office. This is the first time I can can recall that the SC has been changed for the better, meaning sans any additional arbitrary rules (AKA insurance exclusions), and some existing ones less ambiguous (lawyers love ambiguity, I hate lawyers[>:]), and less restrictive. I give it an A grade, notwithstanding some quibbles that can be addressed later.
I know Bob Underwood and of course who Dave Mathewson is; anybody know Ron Morgan?

Abel

RE: 2005 Safety Code
 

Drats, Abel, fer once you jest 'bout got it right!:) For a set of rules that cover so much, I think they did a great job. Don't forget that they very possibly had to climb over some high obstacles on their way to completing this job.

Ron Morgan was -- and still may be -- the overall Contest Director or Manager for the NATs for since dirt, I guess. A very quiet non-assuming gentleman that just went about his work and got the job done. IMO, He has received far too little publicity for his labors.