This is the club located near my house and I was reading through the rules. These rules seem to be a bit restrictive and strict. Is this the norm for r/c clubs or is this over restrictive? Thanks


MIDWEST RADIO CONTROL SOCIETY FIELD RULES
April 1999 (You are expected to save and follow these rules)

1. SAFETY FIRST

2. All pilots and pilots in training are expected to be familiar with and abide by these field rules and the current AMA safety code. All members are to consider themselves safety officers.

3. All pilots, pilots in training and guests are required to have a valid AMA license.

4. All aircraft will be started and run in a direction so that the prop wash and exhaust is directed towards the runway. All aircraft must use a restraint (restraints are located under the shelter table and restraint holes are placed at regular spacing). NO RESTARTS ON THE FIELD.

5. Prop spinners or acorn nuts which meet AMA standards must be installed on all airplanes flown at this field.

6. All model aircraft must not exceed 98dB at 9 feet.

7. When more than one aircraft is flying, the runway must be kept clear. Observers are recommended to advise the pilot about people on the field, other model aircraft and low flying full scale aircraft. When retrieving aircraft on the field, pilot will call "ON THE FIELD" to alert all other pilots of the situation. When clear of the field pilots will call "CLEAR".

8. Take offs MUST begin on the far side of the runway centerline. (including hand launches) If on take off roll the aircraft changes direction toward the pilot line/pit area, the take off MUST be aborted IMMEDIATELY.

9. Landing aircraft have precedence over take-offs. Dead stick landings have precedence over all model flight activities. It is the responsibility of all those experiencing a dead stick to call out "DEAD STICK" to alert others of the difficulty. All pilots are responsible for maintaining safe clearance until the dead stick aircraft has been landed and recovered from the field.

10. In the event of any emergency which demands an immediate landing of any aircraft, all personnel must be made aware of the emergency. All pilots will "pass the word" down the flight line for all to hear and will then maintain safe clearance from the affected aircraft.

11. Guests are permitted up to a maximum of three visits per guest per year. All members are responsible for their guest's activities and the understanding of these field rules. 12. All new members will require flight certification, including field rules, from a club officer or instructor, prior to issuance of their membership certificate. Beginning pilots (students) will be certified through the club instruction program. Student flying is permitted only on instruction night (Thursday) or by appointment with a club instructor. Students only on student night after 6:00 PM.

13. No landings, take offs or taxiing are permitted in the pit area. ALL AEROBATICS (INCLUDING LOW FLY-BYS) are to be executed over the north side of the field beyond the cut part of the runway. NO FLYING IS PERMITTED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE SAFETY NET. (also known as the WOOLEY line).

14. Helicopter flying area is located east of the main runway and south of the WOOLEY line. Helicopters are permitted to fly south of the WOOLEY line but NO FURTHER SOUTH THAN THE CUT PART OF THE HELIPAD.

15. All glider and hi-start equipment or winches shall be set up on the up wind end of the pit area, so as not to enter the pit area when stretched out (launching). To avoid entering the runway area glider pilots may fly from the west end of the runway south of the WOOLEY line. NO FLYING IS PERMITTED WITHIN 100 FEET OF FIVE MILE ROAD.

16. Pilots must stand at the piloting position indicated by the painted patio blocks located behind the safety net. This reduces the possibility of radio interference and also provides a safety zone between the flight line and the pilots.

17. All 50 FCC authorized frequency channels may be used at Midwest R/C as well as legally assigned HAM channels and the 27 MHz aircraft channels. Remove the frequency pin and insert membership card BEFORE turning on transmitter. Five channels have been assigned priority for helicopters (11,12, 21, 27 & 29). If a heli pilot has that frequency, then he has priority as long as he is there. Like wise all other channels are airplane priority. In the event that more than one person at the field is on the same frequency the frequency pin must be passed to the next person after the completion of one flight until everyone has had an opportunity to fly (within the heli/airplane grouping). When finished flying return the pin to the frequency board.

18. If in the opinion of a member, a flier continually has shown the inability to control his aircraft (or if otherwise is demonstrating unsafe flying habits), the incident shall be reported using the safety incident report form (located in the ammo box above the small shelter) or to the safety or club officers, for appropriate action (discipline, additional training etc.).

19. NO FLYING IS PERMITTED WHILE THE FARMER OR MOWING CREW IS MOWING ANYWHERE ON OR AROUND THE FIELD.

20. There are no trash receptacles at the field, so take what you bring.

21. The first aid kit is located above the small shelter. Notify the club officers if items need to be replenished.

22. Spectators are welcome, but must remain south of the frequency board and signs so designating for their safety.

23. Engine break in or testing (run-up for extended periods) must be done near the picnic table on the east side of the driveway.

24. Flying hours are from 8:00 AM to Midnight seven days a week at the 5 Mile Field.

25. Not more than five (5) fixed wing aircraft shall be flown at one time.


Please NOTE orientation and position of things at the field. Note that take offs and landings are to be to the north of the field center line.


MIDWEST RADIO CONTROL SOCIETY FIELD RULES

AIRCRAFT CHECK LIST: HELICOPTER (PRE-FLIGHT)

TRANSMITTER/RECEIVER BATTERY CONDITION: (ESV>4.9v RCVR; >9.6V TRANS)
FUEL/FUEL LINES REATTACHED
FREQUENCY PIN/CARD IN FREQUENCY BOARD
TRANSMITTER ON ANTENNA DOWN - CORRECT MODEL SELECTION
RECEIVER ON/RANGE CHECK RADIO SYSTEM
WAIT FOR GYRO INITIALIZATION
CONTROL SURFACES ORIENTATION/FUNCTION
TRIM LEVER POSITION OK?
FLIGHT MODE NORMAL/THROTTLE DOWN/THROTTLE HOLD OFF
GLOW DRIVER/IGNITION ON
HOLD ROTOR HEAD WHEN STARTING ENGINE
GLOW DRIVER OFF
BEFORE TAKE-OFF EXTEND ANTENNA
POST FLIGHT
RECEIVER OFF/TRANSMITTER OFF/ANTENNA DOWN
RETURN FREQUENCY PIN/GET MEMBERSHIP CARD
AIRCRAFT CHECK LIST

AIRPLANE (PRE-FLIGHT)

TRANSMITTER/RECEIVER BATTERY CONDITION (ESV>4.9v RCVR; >9.6V TRANS)
AILERON/FLAP SERVO CONNECTION
WING HOLD DOWN BOLTS TIGHT/RUBBER BANDS CORRECT TENSION
AIRCRAFT IN RESTRAINT (FULL FORWARD)
FUEL/FUEL LINES REATTACHED
FREQUENCY PIN/CARD IN FREQUENCY BOARD
TRANSMITTER ON ANTENNA DOWN - CORRECT MODEL SELECTION
RECEIVER ON/RANGE CHECK RADIO SYSTEM
CONTROL SURFACES ORIENTATION/FUNCTION TRIM LEVER POSITION OK?
GLOW DRIVER/IGNITION ON
MAKE SURE PLANE OF PROP IS CLEAR – PROP TIGHT/SPINNER SEATED
ENGINE OPERATION/TUNING (GLOW DRIVER OFF)
BEFORE TAKE-OFF EXTEND ANTENNA
POST FLIGHT
RECEIVER OFF/TRANSMITTER OFF/ANTENNA DOWN
RETURN FREQUENCY PIN/GET MEMBERSHIP CARD






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All that looks normal to me. If you want to fly safely and not lose your field you had better have rules and a means to enforce them within the club. You can view our club rules at http://www.krc.org/info/constitution.html#fr/

Dave Segal

Looks pretty reasonable to me.

the part about pointing the propwash/exhaust towards the runway. That would depend on where your pit area is setup. On
ours, pointing the tail towards the runway would mean the plane
is facing the pit/spectator area. Not too good if the plane restraint
fails and lets the plane go. Your situation might be different. For
safety's sake, rules are good.

Jesse

Everything looks normal except #8. I don't see why planes need to be on the far side of the centerline. Everything else becomes standard routine just about anywhere you fly.

Yea, Looks like our rules.
PMAC in Whitelake, Mi

Bill

What about #3? Why should the Guests (non-pilots) require an AMA license? They should re-word that to read:
3. All pilots, pilots in training and guest pilots are required to have a valid AMA license.

Also, I agree with whstlngdeath & Flyfalcons - it depends on the specific conditions of the club setup.

These rules just cover the club in case of an accident. They are not bad as far as my club goes.

but whats with only training on thursday. How is anyone supposed to learn if they can only fly once a week?

How strictly are these rules enforced?

We have a training night also on Thursday. That night is only for new flyers to be with instructors and have the field to themselves. We don't stop anyone from flying/learning anytime during the rest of the week. If you want to arrange a time with an instructor, we will sit and watch for 10 minutes. We share the field from expert flyers to trainers.

Bill

If you read more carefully, it states:
Our field has the same rule. Thursdays is the official student night (Students only after 6:00), but if a student arranges a time with an instructor for another time that's good too.

In my experience (3 clubs in the Washington D.C. area), these rules are pretty much the norm for accepted behavior at the field, although ours are not all spelled out in such detail, and the tone seems a little strong.

Actually, I think it's a good thing for all the rules (written and unwritten) to be written down and discussed and agree on. For example, I don't think we have a written rule that says you must stay off the runway while folks are flying, but maybe we should. I was flying one day when these folks spent about 10 minutes out on the runway looking for something. I told a friend, "Get those folks off the runway. Tell them I'll land if they want, but I don't want to fly with them on the runway, and I can't land while they're there." I thought it was just etiquette, but I'm sort of happy to see it in your club's rules.

Don't get to uptight. I've learned that what goes on at the field goes on, and 98% of the pilots follow them just because it's nothing more than good common sense writtian down, not because they've memorized them. Most of the time a rule becomes a rule because of trouble in the past. They are not there because you are in R/C basic training...they are there so if a 2 percenter shows up and blatently causes trouble, the club has something writtian down to refer to to get him to straighten up. Go, fly, have fun, and it will all become second nature, and you'll see what I mean soon enough

I think the rules are right on... if maybe a little sternly written... But still common sense. Most of the time I have seen that there are enough people and good people around that every one is nice and helpful to one another... everyone stays out of trouble.. Most of the rules really make sense....and after the first time or two they come natrual.

Just remember if your club is AMA.....ALL of your club RULES are "In addition" to the Safety Code...so be careful what you put into those rules.

One club I know REQUIRES a ground check before the first flight of the day....yeah right.....I've seen MANY not do that - if an accident happens and the plane was not ground checked....well I'll let the lawyers pick that one apart!

Jerry

AMA doesn't have restriction at our flying field. We made up our own rules.

Guests can come in whenever they want, however often they want.

No standing in the middle of the field

We call out deadstick, people on the field, and clear.

Before we even are allowed to turn on the transmitter, we go around to all the pilots to see if anyone is on the same frequency.

Works slick.
Clint

Guests are permitted up to a maximum of three visits per guest per year



This seems unreasonable to me is this common at other fields.

can'tfly@all,

It's a case of 'it is MY sandbox' and .....fill in the rest!

There are two sides to this issue (why should I pay dues, build clubhouse, etc. and you FREELOAD...) and (we sure aren't open for vistors too frequently)

Jerry

can'tfly@all,
We fly at a public field, All are welcome all the time, but there are some rules like you mentioned. I think the 3 guests thing is a little much. I mean after all, the more people we can get interested in the hobby the better right?

I suppose I can uderstand that I mean if someone is coming more then 3 times they probably should have membership anyway.

Like I said, it's a public field in my case, so you don't have to be a member to fly there. Just need an AMA membership.

Other than #25, the 5 airplane limit, it looks standard.

NOpe.... if I read correctly the rules:
Quote:
3. All pilots, pilots in training and guests are required to have a valid AMA license.
11. Guests are permitted up to a maximum of three visits per guest per year.

Guests ARE required to have a Valid AMA license, this might have to be reworded as Stratos911 suggested.

Rule 11 is Ok since it limts the amount of visits a GUEST can use to fly on the field, it DOES NOt limit the numebr of guests a member can bring to the field.

Three visits is our rule too. This is to prevent "professional" guests. We welcome new people, the guest thing is for them to decide if the hobby is for them. If so, we want them to join.

Rule #3 states that all guests must be licensed by the AMA. Who would want to join the AMA first if they didn't know if the hobby was for them or not? Unless the AMA has a rule for newcomers like being covered for you first few flights without being a member.

I would guess that rule was implemented to reduce the number of mid-air collisions. Perhaps they used to have a few inconsiderate flyers who would endanger other planes by "crowding the airspace". Obviously, if combat flying is being done, those involved would have to agree upon "breaking" this rule for the duration of the combat session.