1. GENERAL OBJECTIVES

To bring to the notice of all flying members the requirements of Article 51 of the Air Navigation Order which states that " A person shall not recklessly or negligently cause or permit an aircraft to endanger any person or property". This Law covers all model flying.

To provide, in addition to Club Rules, an advisory document covering recommended aspects of safety.

2. SAFETY OFFICER

A Safety Officer, appointed by the Club, has responsibility for:

• Producing working documents.
• Setting out a safety programme with which all flying members should comply.
• Drawing up a simple safety achievement scheme to encourage flying members to reach a given standard of flying ability, and to prove that standard to the Safety Officer or any member appointed by him.

3. OPERATIONAL GUIDE

3.1 MODELS

• Models should be built to a standard such that they will not fail under normal circumstances, giving particular attention to control surfaces and connections.
• All projections ahead of the propeller on models powered by an IC or electric motor e.g. spinners, nuts should be of not less than 7.5 mm radius. Bare prop nuts should be domed type. The nose radius on R/C gliders should be not less than 7.5 mm radius.
• Metal or damaged propellers should not be used. Care should be taken that propellers are of suitable size and construction for their engine or motor's operating speed.
• Heavy ballast should be fitted internally and secured.
• All R/C models are subject to in - flight vibration, landing and transport damage. Therefore, care should be taken to ensure that:

  a) Airborne equipment is well protected.
  b) Servos are fixed securely
  c) Control linkages ( pushrods, snakes, closed loops etc ) are adequate for their purpose
  d) All control hinges, surfaces, horns are fitted correctly

• It is recommended that only Ni-Cad rechargeable batteries are used in radio control equipment. These should preferably be soldered or welded.
• With new or repaired equipment or with models which have had a hard landing, a range check should be carried out. A range of about 50 metres with the Transmitter aerial down is expected. With electroflight models, the range check should be carried out with the motor switched both on and off.

3.2 FLYING R/C MODELS

• In the event of radio interference being observed, all models should land until the source of the interference has been located and eliminated.
• In the event of low flying aircraft approaching the flying site, models should be landed immediately . ( Part of the safety flying scheme is to ensure that pilots can do this reasonably quickly and in safety ).
• All flyers should use the same pit and take - off area at the Sealand Road site. All flyers should use the same take - off line at the Lache Lane site.
• All flyers should observe the method of frequency control in use on the day. This may take the form of a peg board, a log of frequencies or, when few fliers are present, liaison between flyers. All transmitters should have a channel identification pennant attached.
• Inexperienced pilots should not fly without an experienced helper. Club Rules require that new members, before flying solo, should demonstrate that they are capable of flying safely unsupervised.
• A clear view of the model should always be maintained. So as to avoid mid - air collisions, pilots should never cross silhouettes with another model unless they are absolutely certain that there is separation distance. Pilots should allow plenty of room between the flight path and spectators, other flyers and the pit area. Pilots should never fly between themselves and spectator or pit areas, especially when landing.
• After take - off, the initial turn should be away from spectators and pit areas.
• Diving manoeuvres should always be done with the model pointing away from spectators and pit areas.
• Pilots should not overfly houses, domestic areas, traffic, spectators or pit areas.
• At any sign of malfunction or an unexpected jettison of model parts, the model should be landed as soon as it is safe to do so.
• Pilots should not be distracted, especially when they are taking off or landing.
• Care should be taken to avoid overflying operating transmitters since this could cause interference to airborne models. Operating transmitters should not be taken away from the pilots area.
• It is recommended that pilots never fly in adverse conditions of :

  a) bad light
  b) rain ( unless radio equipment is protected )
  c) high winds ( above 25 mph ) or near overhead cables

• Never take off or land towards pilots, spectators or the pit area.
• Pilots should call "landing" when starting their final approach and all other models, on the ground and in the air, should give way to the landing model.

4. FLYING SESSION CHECKS

4.1 BEFORE LEAVING HOME

The following checks should be made:

• That the model is thoroughly examined.
• That everything is secure, the radio operates satisfactorily, batteries are fully charged and all necessary facilities are to hand.
• That when loading the model, damage does not occur.

4.2 ON ARRIVAL AT THE FLYING SITE

The following checks should be made:

• The airframe for transit damage
• The servos and linkages for security.
• The undercarriage for secure fixing and correct alignment.
• The propeller for damage and secure fitting.
• That fuel and adhesives are out of the reach of spectators and children.

4.3 BEFORE EACH FLIGHT

The following sequence should be followed:

• Obtain frequency clearance.
• Switch on transmitter first then receiver. Check that transmitter meter is 'in the green'.
• Check that all controls operate freely and in the correct sense.
• Check that all control surfaces are in their correct positions with the transmitter trims in their correct neutral position.
• Look for any radio malfunction such as jittery servos, glitches etc. If in doubt, Do Not Fly.
• Immediately prior to launch double check that all transmitter trims, rate switches, mixers etc are in their correct positions and that the transmitter meter is 'in the green'.

 

4.4 AFTER EACH FLIGHT

The following sequence should be followed:

• Switch off receiver first then transmitter.
• Clear frequency control.
• Clean model.
• Check model for possible flight or landing damage.

4.5 ON LEAVING THE FLYING FIELD

The following practices should be followed:

• Make sure that all debris is collected.
• Do not walk across the landing area and at all times be aware of models still in the air.
• Do not cross cultivated land.
• Leave all gates as you found them i.e. open if found open and shut if found shut.

5. I C POWER MODELS

Pilots should ensure/check the following:

• Before starting the engine, ensure that there is no debris or foreign matter in the vicinity which could be picked up by the propeller and that the model is restrained.
• Check for broken propellers and loose prop nuts. In the event these go undetected, the propeller may become detached and may be a danger to anyone in the pit area. Check that no one is in line with the propeller before starting the engine.
• Before starting the engine, remove the ignition source if present and carefully turn the engine over by hand to check for hydraulic lock.
• Start the engine, preferably on a slow setting, and allow to warm up. Check the engine will pick up from idle to full power satisfactorily. Carefully hold the model with its nose pointing upwards and check the engine operation at full power. If the engine falters it is usually set too lean / weak. Readjust and repeat the test.
• Never stand in front of or in the plane of a turning propeller. After the engine has started, all adjustments should be carried out front the rear
• Hold the model securely on the ground, open up to full power and ensure the radio operates satisfactorily on all flying controls again.
• Models should not taxi out of or in to the pit area. They should be wheeled or carried well clear of the pits before take - off and stopped well clear on taxying back.
• Before take - off and landing, check both ground and air are clear, then, in a loud voice, inform other pilots of your intention. Give specific warning if the landing is to be 'Dead Stick'. However, do not assume that you have been heard by everyone. A pilot going out to take - off with an engine running may not have heard.

6. GLIDERS

Pilots should ensure/check the following:

• Take particular care on landing because of the much longer landing approach required. Remember that the approach of the model cannot be heard.
• When strong thermal lift is encountered, beware of flying too high. At altitude, lift often becomes stronger and more turbulent. Do not try to dive out of strong lift. Instead try to fly out of the lift to static or sinking air.
• If emergency action is required, application of full up elevator and full rudder may give the safest descent but beware getting in to a spiral dive. All pilots are recommended to practice safe, fast descents in still air to establish the best method for a particular model.
• Towlines and bungees should be located well away from roads and electricity pylons to ensure that there is no possibility of the line drifting on to them after release of the model.
• Bungee anchorages should be secure. Stakes should be of the screw - in type, not pegs.
• The number of bungees laid out at any one time should not exceed three.
• Before launching on the bungee, check that the line / bungee is not interfering with another bungee or model.
• Before launching the model on bungee or towline, ascertain that you have free air space for the launch. Give a verbal warning to other pilots in the vicinity for them to avoid crossing the path of the launch.

7. ELECTROFLIGHT

Pilots should ensure/check the following:

• Take note of previous sections 5 and 6.
• Battery chargers should have an automatic system for cutting off the charging current e.g. timer, temperature or voltage control.
• Check that the operation of the motor does not interfere with the radio control system.
• Take care never to short circuit cells since this can produce high temperatures and even fires.
• Ensure that flight batteries are securely attached to the model, preferably carried internally.
• Some flight switches can cause the motor to start briefly when the receiver is switched on. Beware of this. If possible, mark the receiver switch with a suitable warning. Preferably connect the flight pack after the receiver has been switched on

8. INDOOR FLYING

The rules for indoor flying vary with venue and nature of the meeting. The following rules are given as guidance for interpretation by the Duty Pilot.

General

• A Duty Pilot shall be appointed and using their own judgement, will be responsible for the interpretation and enforcement of the rules.
• All pilots shall conform to the Duty Pilot’s rulings.
• Spectators and modellers should preferably be protected from flying models by netting. If not, as large a gap as possible shall be set up between the models and all attendees, especially people not actively involved with the models that are flying at the time.
• All indoor flying takes place in a relatively confined space and with close proximity of modellers and spectators. All models must be flown with due regard for the safety of others, regardless of type.
• Radio control models shall not be flown in time periods reserved for free flight models, unless the radio model is extremely light and the free flight flyers agree to it flying.
• Internal combustion engines, and metal propellers, are not allowed.
• Jetex and similar motors are not allowed to be flown indoors.
• The pits area in Northgate arena shall be along the wall with the seating units.

Free flight models

• Models designed and built for outdoor flying shall not be flown indoors. In cases of doubt, the Duty Pilot shall decide whether a model is suitable for the venue. This includes rubber powered, CO2 powered and chuck glider models.

Radio controlled models

• A transmitter control shall be used throughout the meeting. Depending on the number of radio control models in the meeting, the Duty Pilot shall decide whether or not to impound transmitters as part of this frequency control.
• The use of adjacent channels should be avoided where possible. Where this is not possible, an adjacent channel check shall be carried out. Both transmitters shall be operated side by side with the model about 4 metres away. The “correct” transmitter shall be operated with aerial collapsed, and the “wrong “ transmitter with the aerial extended. Proper control of the model shall still be observed with the “correct” transmitter, and no response shall be observed in response to the “wrong” transmitter.
• Pilots shall not fly models above the other people except other pilots retrieving a model from the general flying area. Retrievals shall only be carried out after all pilots with models flying have been informed and have agreed.
• The Duty Pilot shall decide if circuits are to be flown, and if so in which direction. He shall also decide if the number of models to be airborne shall be limited, and if so to what number.
• A pilot inexperienced in indoor flying may ask the Duty Pilot for some sole flying time if he feels it necessary. This will be granted when possible to a reasonable duration, to be judged by the Duty Pilot.
• Pilots shall be competent in flying radio-controlled models. Beginners shall not be allowed to fly except with a buddy lead and with agreement of the Duty Pilot.
• Models shall only be flown if they are suitable for the venue and other models flying in terms of flying speed. Models weighing more than 10 ounces (280 grams) should not fly unless they fly slowly and conform to the flying style of others. The Duty Pilot shall decide if a model heavier than this limit can fly.
• No model shall be flown with a motor larger than one 300 size motor, or equivalent in smaller motors in the case of multi-motor models.
• Any type of radio control is allowed. For frequencies other than 35 MHz and 27MHz, this is only provided the signal is weak and insignificant outside the building.

Northgate Arena layout

• The pits shall be along the wall adjacent to the two entrances, in front of the stowed seating units.
• The balconies to be closed, and Northgate Arena staff should be asked to close them if they are open.

Revised 12 May 2003