HASTINGS MODEL FLYING CLUB LIMITED

General Code & Club Rules

revised- december 2009

All new members joining the Hastings Model Flying Club Ltd (HMFC) and renewing their BMFA subscription are issued with a copy of the BMFA Members’ Handbook and ‘Up and Away’ book.

The HMFC General Code and Club Rules set out below do not replace the BMFA Rules and Guidelines, but enhance them to take account of the particular circumstances that exist at the Middle Bridge Flying Site.

1        The access lane from the A259 to the field is not clearly visible, therefore signal in good time and be aware of following traffic, especially if approaching from the East. You may park in the field in the designated area when conditions allow otherwise park on the hard-standing between the drive and the picket fence at the bottom of the field. Look for and comply with any notice posted at the gate. If you are the only one at the field it is recommended that you close the gate and replace the padlock for security.

2        There is a 5 MPH speed limit in the field, please observe it.

3        At times the field is used for grazing sheep and for a hay crop. Be sure to close the gate behind you when the sheep are in the field! Keep to the tracks and paths provided. Do not trample over the hay.

4        Dogs are only permitted onto the field on the strict understanding that they remain on a lead and are properly supervised at all times. The owners shall remove any dog mess. At no time will dogs be permitted into pit area, flight line or within the HMFC Ltd flying zone.

5        There are no facilities for disposing of rubbish at the field. Please take your litter home with you.

6        Junior members must be accompanied by a parent /guardian at all times who shall be responsible for their safety, welfare and behaviour. That parent / guardian will be responsible for supervising engine starting and model restraint, through flying and return to the pits. That parent / guardian will be responsible for the proper use of radio equipment and frequency control by the junior member with respect to the Club Rules and BMFA Guidelines. During over night events at the club field, junior members will be closely supervised by a parent / guardian. No junior members will be allowed to occupy a tent without a parent / guardian being present at all times. If a parent has given consent for a guardian to take charge of a junior member whilst on HMFC ltd property, then confirmation must be in writing and sent to the Club Secretary.

7        FIRST AID & ACCIDENTS. ALL accidents in which you may be involved or that you witness MUST be recorded and reported to a member of the committee. All members should have a first aid kit of their own because we are unable to keep a kit in the box as it is not secure.

FLYING & SAFETY CODE

8        FLYING TUITION – If required the Membership Secretary will arrange for one-to-one tuition with one of the Club Instructors.  Your instructor will do his utmost to protect your model but neither he nor the Club will accept responsibility for damage to or loss of the model under any circumstance -  whoever is flying at the time.

9        All radio frequencies on the 35MHz, 2.4GHz and solid colours on the 27MHz bands are permitted subject to the controls. (See item 10 below).                         

10    The FREQUENCY CONTROL SYSTEM – The Club now employs a peg-board system which replaces the old tombstone system. Each member is required to provide themselves with a suitable clothes peg which is marked with their name and Club number. On arrival at the field you should place your peg on the peg-board over the channel number (55 to 90) of your frequency (35MHz band only). This indicates that you have the use of the channel and can proceed to switch on. If you intend using the 27MHz band please let the Membership Secretary know and you will be given an appropriate marker. Users of 2.4GHz are not required to use the system at all. There may only be one peg on the board per channel number. Do not attempt to make space for two pegs on one channel number! Contact the person already on that number and arrange to alternate.

11    ARRIVAL AT THE PITS – Having parked your model and equipment in the pit area, place your peg in position on the peg-board over the correct number. If there is already a peg in that position you must keep hold of your peg and agree with the person whose peg is in position to share the frequency. When he lands he should remove his peg and you should put yours in place on the board. Speak to other pilots that share your frequency to advise them that it is now shared. Agree with them to take turns. Don’t hog the peg! Limit your flight times to 20 minutes or less.

12    THE FLIGHT CONTROLLER – There may be a Flight Controller or a Duty Pilot present. He is one of a panel of Safety Officers appointed by the Committee and is empowered to ground unsafe models and is also responsible for ensuring that the Club Safety Rules are observed. A maximum of six models may be operated at any one time.

13    HELICOPTERS – When flying circuits they must be flown in accordance with the rules covering fixed wing models insofar as they are applicable.

14    JETS – May only be used at Middle Bridge with the approval of the Committee and may be the subject of supervision by an experienced jet pilot.

15    NEW MODELS – Before the first flight, have an experienced member check it over. This could save you money and much grief! A member with a new, unflown model may take the opportunity to fly a slot on his own in order to concentrate on trimming and proving the model without the distraction of other models in the airspace. If you wish to take advantage of this facility you must first contact a Committee Member who will arrange and supervise the session.

16    PRE-FLIGHT – The pilot is responsible for ensuring that the model is airworthy and must carry out the checks as per the BMFA Handbook. Pilots must not take the word of the owner who may suggest the model has been checked out and is ready to fly. Pilots should check the model before every flight.

17    STARTING THE ENGINE – Engines must be started only within one of the  Start Up Boxes. Models should be properly restrained while in the Start Up Box. Please note that the transmitter aerial must be retracted whilst in the Start Up Boxes. (Refer to BMFA Handbook). Only pilot and one helper (if required) are permitted in the Start Up Box and only one person in front of the propeller while the engine is started.

18    ELECTRIC MOTORS - Will not be run up in the pit area. A broken prop or unrestrained model is just as dangerous as that powered by I.C.

19    DEAD AIR – There is a hypothetical wall along the edge of the main runway which extends all the way out and all the way up. Pilots will not fly pits-side of this wall at any distance or height with the exception of take-off and landing on the second runway as stated below. If you are not perfectly clear on this, you should consult a Committee Member before flying.

20    TAXIING – There must be no un-restrained taxiing between the start up boxes and the runway or vice-versa. If you must taxi a helper is essential to manually restrain the model.

21    TAKE-OFF – Obtain permission from those pilots already flying. Immediately prior to take-off check the controls for correct sense and at full throttle. If the engine stops or the model needs attention you must return to the Start Up Box. YOU MUST NOT RE-START OR MAKE ADJUSTMENTS ON THE RUNWAY. Take-off may be along the strip in either direction according to the wind direction but NEVER toward the A259 main road! The first turn must always be away from the road. The second runway may also be used when dictated by wind direction, in which case a tight turn will be required at the north-east end so as to avoid approaching the lane or the A259 main road.

22    PILOTS – Will take a position in one of the pilot boxes applicable to the runway in use and will be allowed one helper if required. No other personnel should be near the pilot boxes and should return to the safety of the pit area.

23    FLYING – All pilots have a legal obligation to fly safely and within the capabilities of the model. All pilots must make themselves aware of all legal issues regarding model flying as highlighted in each Club Members BMFA Handbook. The flying zone is set out in accordance with the BMFA guidelines. Notwithstanding this, the Waller’s Haven River, located at the South end of the runway, cuts through the HMFC Ltd flying zone and is used by angling members of the South Down Angling Association (SDAA). The HMFC Ltd have an agreement with the SDAA that fishing will not occur at the end of our runway other than on SDAA match days. This allows the minimum safe guideline distance of 30m to be maintained between model and angler during take off and landing over the river. During Match Days, pilots will use the second runway and not over fly the river. (See revised site layout attached to these rules) Dates of the SDAA Match Days will be notified to HMFC Ltd members as and when advised by the SDAA. However, every pilot must satisfy him/herself that anglers are not occupying the end of the runway prior to flying. It is incumbent on that person to notify other pilots of the anglers presence. The second runway may also be used when prevailing wind and sunlight conditions dictate. When using the main runway pilots will avoid flying over the river and adjacent SDAA land at a height of no less than 50m except when taking off or landing. In addition there must be no aerobatics performed over the river or SDAA land.

24    3-D – ALL 3-D manoeuvres will be performed over the second field, not in the faces of the other pilots. The danger and distraction associated with this style of flying should be considered before taking off. 3-D pilots should consider flying as a slot rather than clashing with other flying styles just as helicopter pilots are required to do.

25    LANDING –

      a) Check that the runway is clear.

            b) Shout “landing” so other pilots are aware of your intentions.

            c) If the model lands on or near to the runway with the engine stopped, collapse the TX aerial and agree with the other pilots to quickly retrieve the model after having switched off the receiver. Then switch off the TX.

            d)  If the model lands away from the runway or the engine is still running, hand the Transmitter to a helper, keeping it switched on and the aerial extended, agree with the other pilots to retrieve the model after stopping the engine, switch off the receiver and signal for the TX to be switched off.

           e) Check the model over by following the post-flight checklist as specified in the BMFA Handbook, page 23.

            f) Remove all equipment including the restraining device from the start up box. Observe the notices next to the Start Up Boxes. Parking in the Start Up Boxes is not an option.

g) It is a good idea to place the transmitter in a closed metal case when not in use. This will reduce the possibility of interference with other models on the same channel and will also deter unauthorized handling.

26    Flying Safety and Etiquette of every pilot will be practiced  at all times as specified in your BMFA Handbook. An exceptional number of crashes will attract the attention of the Committee and corrective action may be put in place. The Club operates to a high standard of procedure and safety and expects the same of its members. Crashes on the SDAA field or in the river will be investigated by the Committee.

27    Members will be required to respect the Club and the Club’s property at all times.

COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE.

1.      [Section 3 of the Articles of Association states: The Committee has the right to expel any member (and it will not hesitate to do so) for continued flagrant breaches of its flying field safety rules and regulations.]

1. Only complaints concerning contravention of HMFC Ltd. Club and safety rules will be formally considered by the Committee as legitimate.

1. All complaints must be made in writing and sent to the Club Secretary. This must contain the date and time of the incident, the persons name, what exactly occurred  [a good description of the event(s)] and the names of any witnesses.

1. The Club Secretary ( or other Club Official if unavailable) will send a written acknowledgement to the complainant within seven days of receipt.

1. The Club Secretary ( or other Club Official if unavailable) will also send a letter (within seven days of complaint) to the person named by the complainant, requesting their version of the incident. This will have a transcript of the complaint in it but will exclude details of the complainant at this time. This will carry a seven-day written response clause.

1. If a response is received, a further acknowledgement letter is issued by the Club Secretary (or other Club Official if unavailable) acknowledging their reply and stating that the Committee will consider all the evidence and notify them of the outcome.

1. If no response is received, a further letter will be issued by the Club Secretary (or other Club Official if unavailable) stating that no reply has been received and that the Committee will consider all the available evidence and notify them of the outcome.

1. The Committee, if they feel it necessary, can request that all parties meet to discuss the incident in more depth. Any new evidence will be collated and agreed by all parties. A decision by the committee will be taken at that meeting to decide the complaint.

1. Disciplinary options available to the Committee will include:-

            a. Temporary removal of solo flying status.

            b. Removal of BMFA Achievement Scheme ratings.

            c. Written warning and/or signed undertaking of conformity

            d. Imposed training requirement.

            e. Dismissal from the Club.

1. Upheld complaints will be lodged with the Club Secretary and may be the subject of further consideration of any subsequent complaints against that club member.

HMFC Ltd. ©

Revised December 2009 KDC