Basingstoke Model Aero Club

1. General
   1. The flying field regulations apply to all members and their guests regardless of model type unless exceptions are listed in that regulation.
   2. Model flying at the club field is only authorised to members of Basingstoke Model Aero Club and their guests.
   3. No person is allowed to fly any form of model aircraft unless they have 3rd party insurance and can supply supporting documentation to any member of the BMAC, if requested.
   4. Members must have their club membership cards with them at all times and be able to display them upon request.
   5. All pilots must make themselves familiar with and comply with the BMFA member’s handbook.
   6. No pilot is to fly fixed wing or helicopters from the main take off and landing area unsupervised unless they have attained and presented proof of, a BMFA Certificate of Achievement at “A” level or greater. Helicopter pilots without an “A” Certificate or greater are allowed to practice hovering in the designated hover practice area unsupervised.
   7. Pilots without an “A” certificate or greater must be supervised by someone who has held at least that qualification for a minimum or 6 months and who has flown regularly within the previous 6 months. The supervising pilot will be responsible for all aspects of safety while supervising a novice flyer.
   8. All models must comply with the BMFA recommendations for noise emissions. (82dBa or less at 7 meters as measured under ‘Method of measurement of noise emitted by a model aircraft’ BMFA Member’s Handbook). No model may be flown until it has been checked, passed and issued with a noise certificate.
   9. Glow engine capacity should not be greater than 0.91 Cubic Inches for 2 stroke & 4 stroke engines. Models with engines larger than 0.91 Cubic Inch may be allowed to fly with special permission from a minimum of 4 members of the current Committee. The special permission to fly may be withdrawn should any complaints be received.
      Several factors will be taken into account when granting special permission, such as size of model, type of model and how the model is perceived in the air as large models are often flown at a greater distance from the pilot and can dominate the air space and draw undesired attention from local residents and passers by etc.
      It is advisable to approach the Committee before building and/or purchasing such models to see whether the model and engine combination is likely to meet the above criteria.
   10. Members must operate their cars with care in order to limit damage to the field especially in the winter months.
   11. Members must drive slowly past any local residence and be considerate in every way to the local residents. i.e. keep music low in cars and drive very slowly past people, horses, etc.
   12. Model flying start times are 09.00am Monday to Friday, 10.00am on Saturdays and 11.00am on Sundays. Finishing time for all I.C. powered aircraft shall be 8.00pm (Monday to Friday) and 7:00pm at weekends. Bank Holidays should be treated as a Sunday with regards to flying times. There is no mandatory finishing time for “Quiet” electric models.
   13. The gate must be closed and locked by the last person leaving the field. The padlock must remain closed and the numbers jumbled at all times.
   14. All persons under 16 years of age and vulnerable adults must be accompanied by their legal guardian at all times.
       Children at the flying field are only allowed as far as the rear of the pits area, unless they are flying or being tutored, the parents or guardians of said children must be responsible for their behaviour at all times.
   15. Cars are not allowed to be driven on the grass to load or unload their models and/or equipment.
   16. All litter must be taken home.
2. Safety
   1. It is every member’s responsibility to ensure that they and that other members or visitors fly in a safe and responsible manor. It is your duty to politely approach anyone flying in a dangerous manor and request that they cease flying in the dangerous manor. If they continue then it is also your duty to report the member to a committee member so that action may be taken to stop it.
   2. Any member of the committee may ground a pilot who is deemed to be flying dangerously.
   3. All pilots who suffer from impaired vision must use their own judgment to fly within their limits and must seek help when needed. Failure to do so could result in expulsion from the Club and no refund given.
   4. All pilots who suffer from impaired hearing must stand close enough to other pilots to ensure that they hear calls of “landing”, “taking off”, and “dead stick”. Any pilot with impaired hearing must seek help if needed.
   5. Every new, or substantially repaired, model should be range checked and mechanically checked with the help of another member before it is flown.
   6. Pre-flight checks should be made before each flying session.
      i.Range checked as deemed necessary
      ii.Free and full movement of all flying surfaces under full power (fixed wing).
      iii.Airframe, wings, propellers, engines, rotor heads, rotor blades and undercarriages must be secure, not bent, cracked or damaged in any way.
      iv.Engine throttles satisfactory (where applicable)
3. Control of Transmitters and Frequencies
   1. Aircraft are to be flown on any of the following frequencies of the 35MHz, 27MHz and 2.4GHz band.
   2. For 35Mhz and 27Mhz Transmitters a frequency ‘flag’ must be displayed on the transmitter and a club approved frequency marker must be displayed just behind the pilot’s box. Check and double check that your frequency is not in use before switching on a transmitter.
      These are not needed for 2.4Ghz transmitters.
      Failure to comply will be treated as a serious breach of Club rules.
      •The style for 35MHz is black numbers on yellow background (Car rear number plate).
      •The style for 27Mhz is black numbers on a white background (Car front number plate)
      Blanks can be obtained from the Treasurer who keeps a supply with him at the flying field.
      All frequency markers must have the pilots name on to assist in identifying pilots on the same frequency.
   3. Members are allowed a maximum of 2 different frequencies per frequency band, which must be advised to the club at time of joining/rejoining.
   4. The club strongly suggests that only one frequency is used per person as this greatly reduces the risk of accidents.
   5. Use of any “new” frequencies must be approved by the committee before use.
   6. Transmitters are to be switched off and aerials retracted when not in use.
   7. Due to the swamping of the 2.4Ghz band by FPV (First Person View) units, FPV transmitters can only be switched on when all other 2.4Ghz transmitters are switched off.
      The person operating the FPV transmitter must make all pilots aware that they are about to switch on the FPV unit so that other pilots can decide whether they wish to fly at the same time.
4. Flight Line and Flying Area
   1. Pits area is to be ten meters behind the flight line.
   2. Models and flight boxes to form a straight line.
   3. Pits area must be kept clean and tidy.
   4. All models must be mechanically restrained when starting, engine tuning and range checking.
   5. No model is to over fly the pits, parking area or the road no matter how high the model is.
   6. No model is to fly behind the flight line, apart from helicopters practising hovering in the designated helicopter hover practice area.
   7. Models must not be flown directly toward the pilot’s box.
   8. Models must not to be taxied in to or out of the pits area.
5. General Flying, Taking Off and Landing
   1. Aircraft landing have priority over aircraft waiting to take off.
   2. Aircraft without power have priority over powered aircraft when landing.
   3. When requesting to take off, your intention should be made clear to others by shouting “OK to take off”? Confirmation from other pilots flying must be obtained before stepping forward from the pilot’s box to the flight line. Once airborne and at a safe height, you should then return to the pilot’s box.
   4. When landing a clear shout of “Landing” should be made when under power. “Dead stick” should be shouted if not under power. You should step forward from the pilot’s box to the flight line as a visual indication to other pilots who may not have heard your request to land.
   5. It is the pilot’s responsibility before taking off to keep clear of all landing or overshooting models.
   6. When more then 1 aircraft is in the air, low passes should be called by the pilot and direction given.
6. Helicopters
   1. Helicopters are not to be flown within 10 meters of any person, except the pilot, unless they are standing with the pilot.
   2. The helicopter pilot must always stand between their helicopter and the pits area.
   3. Helicopters must not fly over the pits, fly behind the flight line, over the parking area or road. The only exception is use of the designated helicopter hover practice area.
   4. Helicopters are to fly circuits when flying from the main flight line except when taking off and landing.
   5. Practice hovering is not allowed at the main flight line.
   6. The designated helicopter hover practice area must only be used to practice hovering, hovering manoeuvre.
7. Disciplinary Procedures
   1. General – Two verbal warnings will be given, followed by a written warning, after which persistent offenders may be expelled from the club without compensation.
   2. Severe – Offenders may be expelled from the club without notice and without financial compensation as decided by the current committee.
8. Gliders
   1. The Malshanger Flying Field is considered to be primarily a power flying field that can also accommodate gliders. If the presence of both gliders and power aircraft at the same time presents a hazard, the gliders may be asked to stop flying.

December 2009

Basingstoke Model Aero Club