LMAC flying and safety rules

INTRODUCTION

As an Affiliated member of the British Model Flying Association (BMFA) it is the policy of Langar Model Aircraft Club (LMAC) and its members to accept and abide by the Safety Codes of Practice as detailed in the BMFA Handbook.

Copies of the Handbook are freely available from your Hon. Sec., the BMFA office at Leicester or to download from the BMFA website. www.bmfa.org/publications/index.html

THE AIR NAVIGATION ORDER:

Article 138;

“A person must not recklessly or negligently cause or permit an aircraft to endanger any person or property”

Article137;

‘A person must not recklessly or negligently act in a manner likely to endanger an aircraft, or any person in an aircraft’

THESE APPLY TO ALL MODEL AIRCRAFT AT ALL TIMES, WHATEVER THEIR WEIGHT OR SIZE.

Article 166, (Small Unmanned Aircraft)

(1) A person shall not cause or permit any article or animal (whether or not attached to a parachute) to be dropped from a small unmanned aircraft so as to endanger persons or property

(2) The person in charge of a small unmanned aircraft may only fly the aircraft if reasonably satisfied that the flight can safely be made.

THE ABOVE ARE NOT RECCOMENDATIONS, THEY ARE LAW.

In addition to these codes and CAP 658 (2011) the following local rules are in force at Langar.

1.1 Radio Controlled Fixed Wing Aircraft only are to be flown from the club runway.1.2 FPV (First Person View) models are not permitted at Langar, this is a shared airspace with full size

aircraft and parachutists.1.3 Members must never fly unsupervised at Langar Airfield unless they hold an A certificate. They

must have a person with an ‘A’ or ‘B’ in close attendance. (from 30th November, 2012)

(Note: it is strongly advised to all that they do not fly if they are ALONE on the site, accidents can happen, and thieves have been known to strike whilst a lone flier is on the runway)

1.4 Full size aircraft often use the main runway and can overfly without warning, making it imperative to have another person keeping an eye open for this, there is an air horn in the peg box for warning of approaching aircraft.

1.5 Models powered by a .90 two stroke or under may be started in the pits area, provided they are physically restrained at that time, and should not be pointing toward other members.

1.6 The model should then be carried to the runway for taxiing or carrying to the take off area.1.7 Models over a .90 two stroke glow and turbine models and all models fitted with a petrol

engine must be started in the appropriate start-up area for those models, and must be physically restrained while starting/running.

1.8 Taxiing any model in the pits area without physical restraint is FORBIDDEN.1.9 Use the agreed take off and landing direction according to the wind, and use the correct circuit for

the wind direction when others are flying at the same time.1.10 Always inform other pilots of your intentions by calling LOUDLY AND CLEARLY “Take Off!”

“Landing!”, “Retrieving!” etc.1.11 Flying is strictly forbidden in the NO FLY ZONE marked on the Flight Layout Plan, in addition,

avoid going too far down to the South, which will take you over the road. If this is inevitable, with a large fast model landing for instance, keep plenty of height over that area. For fast aerobatic and jets and IMAC types, also avoid the Go Kart premises and the Gun Club to the East, ESPECIALLY IF THE RED FLAG IS FLYING. (this is a LONG way away, and should never happen with ‘normal’ models)

35 Mhz Transmitters.

Users of 35 Mhz transmitters should use the following rules, in order to avoid clashes.

Check that the pegboard is open (number 3838) and that your number peg is free. Remove this and replace it with your club card. Place the peg on your TX. Please keep your aerial collapsed until you are on the runway ready to taxi. On Landing, ENSURE YOUR ENGINE HAS STOPPED and again collapse your aerial. Replace your peg and collect your card. Please do this promptly, someone may be waiting for the peg. NEVER SWITCH ON WITHOUT THE PEG IN YOUR POSSESION!

2.4Ghz Transmitters.

Users of 2.4Ghz transmitters should place their membership card on a 2.4 hook to signify that they are flying and prove that they are a current member.

GENERAL DISCIPLINE

2.1 Do not leave any litter or debris on the runway or in the pits or crops.

2.2 Flying guests are permitted at Langar only by way of invitation from a club member, and then only for a maximum of four times. The inviting member is responsible for ensuring that the guest is fully conversant with the rules and has BMFA insurance. Family members or spectators are welcome, but have to be supervised. Children MUST be under the supervision of a parent or Guardian at all times.

2.3 Other airfield users and their activities must be respected, and care taken not to upset other legal users. These are: The Skydive Centre, The Go-Kart Centre and the Gun Club.

2.4 A duty of care should also be used for ‘trespassers’, these may not know they are on private property, and flying models should be kept well away from walkers, cyclists and horse riders, as well as vehicles proceeding past the end of the runway.

2.5 Members are responsible for ensuring at all times that they fly their models in a safe and responsible manner in accordance with these rules. Failure to do so could jeopardise the interests of the club and possibly curtail our activities. It is the responsibility of all members to encourage and uphold safe flying practices not only by themselves, but also by fellow members.

Persons under the age of 18 must be under close supervision by a parent/guardian at ALL times.

2.6 Membership of LMAC is conditional upon members agreeing to and abiding by these rules.

COMMON SAFETY.

3.1 Mobile phones should be kept away from transmitters with Eprom memory in them (That is any ‘computer’ radio) and should not be taken into the pits or pilots box as they can cause a distraction.

3.2 No naked flames allowed anywhere in the pits area or on the runway.

3.4 There is a strict NO SMOKING rule anywhere in the pits or on the runway.

3.5 Take extra care when holding a model nose up for a full throttle test, point it away from the pits, or preferably, take it to the runway first.

3.6 Flying is ONLY carried out from the pilot’s box. With certain models and wind directions, take off can be made while standing on the runway, after informing anyone in the box of your intentions. Return to the box immediately after take off.

3.7 Electric models without Undercarriage can be landed ‘dead stick’ behind the box, on the crops, after informing others of your intentions.

3.8 Electric models must make use of the Arm/Disarm table at the start up area. DO NOT CARRY AN ARMED MODEL THROUGH THE PITS!

3.9 Beginners and novice pilots can not fly without a club instructor or competent person (‘A’ or ‘B’ holder) in CLOSE attendance. MEMBERS NOT IN POSESSION OF AN ‘A’ CERTIFICATE WILL BE DEEMED NOVICE PILOTS FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS RULE.

JET TURBINE MODELS

4.1 Any member who wishes to fly a gas turbine model must have a ‘B’ certificate minimum.

4.2 All new turbine models must be scrutinised by the Jet officer or two committee members before flying.

4.3 All fuelling must be done in the appropriate area, and a CO2 extinguisher kept nearby.

4.4 Care must be taken that the jet effluent is directed away from the pits area.

4.5 At certain times of the year, ie when crops are ripe, jet models are to be grounded until the crop is harvested.

4.6 Jet models should be landed or fly low, ‘normal’ circuits when parachutes are in the air.

4.7 All jet models must have a correctly set failsafe. (This must cut the engine, not idle)

MODELS OVER 7KG

5.1 A ‘B’ certificate or LMA Proficiency is required to fly a model over 7kg, unless your helper has one or the other. (the helper will then be deemed as ‘in charge’.)

5.2 All models over 7kg MUST have a working failsafe. This must, at minimum, reduce the throttle to idle on losing the signal. (With the advent of 2.4, all new radios have failsafes, these MUST be set correctly, whatever the model size)

CLUB AMENITIES

The club boasts a secure container with tea making facilities (keys available from the Chairman) and a superb male and female toilet block with sink, and battery-powered lighting. The number for the toilet is the same as the gate. PLEASE LOOK AFTER THESE FACILITIES AND REPORT ANY PROBLEMS TO A COMMITTEE MEMBER.

A First Aid Box is in the Pegboard cupboard, lock no. 3838

Langar layout, showing the NO-FLY ZONE in red shading.