CLUB RULES FOR THE FLYING OF MODEL AIRCRAFT ON THE PEBSHAM PLAYING FIELDS. (Revised March 2011).

 

Members must be aware that there is no alternative to this agreement and the following rules must be complied with at all times.

 

These rules are specific to the particular area designated for model flying (see attached layout of flying site) and are not intended to replace the BMFA Rules and Guidelines outlined in the BMFA Members Handbook.

 

All members of 1066 MODEL FLYING CLUB must also be members of the BMFA and should familiarise themselves with the contents of the BMFA Members Handbook.

Members should be aware that the BMFA insurance is dependant upon the BMFA Rules and Guidelines being adhered to at all times, in the air and on the ground.

 

The 1066 Model Flying Club are the Licensees for Model Flying at this site, and are the body responsible for negotiating the rules governing this site with Hastings Council.

 

Any communications concerning the use of this site should be addressed to a committee member of 1066 Model Flying Club and NOT to Hastings Council.

 

Flying is permitted during the following times:-

Weekdays        09.00   to   21.00 or Dusk (whichever is sooner).

Weekends        09.00   to   21.00 or Dusk (whichever is sooner).

Flying outside these hours is not permitted and will jeopardise the future use of the site.

No more than SIX models may be flown at one time.

 

Flying is not permitted if an organised football match is taking place anywhere on the site. (A match with a referee, linesmen, corner flags etc.). Flying is permitted if an informal kick-about is in progress, as long as, in accordance with BMFA rules, this does not entail over-flying them. Watch out for other users of the site such as dog walkers children and footballers etc,  give them plenty of room by flying in another part of the flying zone until they are well clear.

Members are expected to make the right judgement when considering the safety of others before flying.

 

The club operates a tombstone/peg frequency control system and members must display their tombstones (with frequency number, peg and modellers name) clearly in a line, in ascending order, where all other members can see them.

Members should attach their peg to their transmitter aerial when switching on their 35Mhz radio system and return the peg to their tombstone when they have switched off. If two members find themselves using the same frequency they must make proper use of the peg system and communicate with each other to agree sharing. It is the responsibility of all members to provide themselves with a suitable tombstone/peg.

 

On arrival at the site members are expected to establish a pit line parallel to line X-Y roughly opposite the gap in the line of young trees, a small cross shows the centre of our flying Field, please see attached map below.

 

Models must only be flown in the designated area. At no time should a model be allowed beyond line A-B in the direction of the Caravan Park, line C-D in the direction of the Tip Road, Car Park or RC Car Club, or line X-Y the Ditch to the south. All flying should be performed to the north in the region of the line of young trees (see map for suggested Flight Pattern). Modellers must also be fully aware of the existence and location of the Public Recycling Centre to the north-west of the flying zone. For reasons of public safety this area is to be considered DEAD AIR. That means that irrespective of personal inconvenience, you do not fly over or near this area at any height. There are no excuses.

 

Control-line models will be flown on the far north western side of the site.

 

Helicopters

Amicable arrangement for helicopters should be made if both disciplines are in use at the same time. For safety reasons, the Helicopter flyer must be within ear shot of the Fixed Wing Flight Line.

 

 Helicopter flyers must clearly display a Frequency Tombstone/Peg, this must be placed along side the tombstone markers used by fixed wing aircraft, liaison to be made with fixed wing flyers (only one Tombstone /peg Frequency control system to be in use at any given time).

 

After starting the engine, the model must be carried or pushed out, ( NOT Taxied ), to a Safe Position on the take-off area (this will be ahead of the pilot standing area). If other members are already flying, you must ask their permission before going in to the take-off area. No model shall be permitted to take off directly from the pit area.

 

 Take-off will generally be into wind but not in the direction of any people the pits area or any other obstructions. At no time will a model be permitted to directly over-fly the pit area. All flying including low passes will be performed at a safe distance from the pits and pilots standing area. The club will expect a reasonable standard of discipline in and around the pits and standing areas.

 

For safety reasons, while members are flying they should stand together in the    Pilots Standing Area (see Map below) and remain within ear-shot of each other so as to maintain communication between pilots. When landing, shout ‘LANDING’ such that all other flyers can make arrangements to allow an unobstructed approach to the landing area. Landings should be made and the model brought to rest at a safe distance from the pits and pilots standing area. Taxiing back to the pits and pilot standing area is dangerous and is not permitted. Do not take you’re Transmitter on to the Flying field when collecting you’re model as this can increase cross talk interference in radio signals. Models must be carried or pushed back to the pit area. This is a reasonable concession to the safety of other members and their property.

 

Jet turbines are not permitted on this site except as authorised for an organised show. I.C. ducted fans and un-silenced engines are not permitted and no model should be operated which gives a noise measurement at 7 metres of more than 82 dB(A). Club representatives will periodically visit the site with noise meters in order to ensure that the club is complying with the terms of our licence. Any model failing the noise test will not be flown from the site until remedial action has been carried out to ensure compliance.

 

All models are expected to be fully airworthy. If in doubt members should seek advice from an experienced member or a committee member. Remember, your BMFA insurance is dependant upon these checks being properly carried out. Read the relevant sections in your BMFA Members Handbook. Committee members, Instructors and Examiners have the power to ground any model deemed to be unsafe or excessively noisy.

 

All new members to the Club no matter what their experience or flying ability are to be assessed by either a Committee member, Club Instructor or Examiner before they are allowed to fly unsupervised.

If tuition is required, members should speak to a committee member who will assist in arranging an instructor. New members should be aware that while your instructor will do everything possible to safeguard your model he will not be held responsible for any damage sustained during the course of training irrespective of who is flying the model at the time.

 

All radio frequencies on 35MHz and 2.4GigHz are permitted. Should it be necessary to fly on adjacent frequencies members should consult the section titled ‘Frequency Allocations at Club Sites’ in the BMFA Members Handbook.

                                

Junior members visiting the site are to be supervised by a parent or guardian who will be at all times accountable for that junior members safety and conduct throughout the duration of their use of the site. It is not permitted or satisfactory to leave junior members under the supervision of Club members who happen to be using the site at the time. Members are not permitted to have a duty of care imposed upon them by parents wishing to leave junior members with a view to picking them up later.

 

It is essential that all litter is removed from the site at the end of a flying session. In particular, fragments of damaged models, broken props, bits of covering etcetera must be collected and disposed of responsibly. Not in the ditch! It is in the interest of the club to be known to the authorities as a tidy club who leave the site as they find it. Should an injury occur to another user of the fields it would be damaging to the club if the cause could be attributed to a part of a broken model.

 

Members are encouraged to carry some form of first aid, not only for themselves but also for anyone else needing assistance.

 

If you are a key holder to the parking area to the west of the site, please arrange to let other members in and out of the parking area and also please return your key to the club secretary if you leave the club.

 

 

 

Flying Etiquette at the field

For everybody’s safety, and in addition to the above, members should follow this simple 5 step  guide to safe model operation  while at the field (please refer to map below and Print a copy for use at the field).

 

1 All Models should be carried or manually pushed from the pits to the designated takeoff and landing area, and visa versa.

2 Modellers should only use the taken off, landing area after seeking approval from members currently flying.

3. All members currently flying should stand together and in the designated standing area, so as to maintain communication between pilots.

4. Pilots should call out all intentions, including takeoffs landings, and low passes. Pilots should also seek approval from members currently flying before retrieve their models after a flight. Do not take you’re Transmitter in to the field when collecting you’re model.

5 Models should only be flown in the designated flying area.

 

These rules have been created to introduce a higher level of safety and discipline to the club consistent with the expectations of local authorities throughout the country. Members can see that very little is actually demanded of them other than a little consideration for themselves and others alike. Members should be aware that there is no alternative site and we are entirely dependant upon keeping the one we have.

These rules have been prepared and accepted by the club’s committee and its members.