SAFETY RULES AND OTHER TOPICS FOR AMA and ARCS

The Rules on this page fully comply with AMA requirements, and apply to all persons flying at the ARCS Harold Cannon Field. However, we have had some inicdents at the field that the Club Officers thought required some additional clarification.  In January, Rick Zondlo coordinated with the Officers to create a Rules, Issues and Suggestions article for the ARCS Newsletter and this Web site.  Please click here to get a PDF copy of this article.

[FOREWARD]
[I. USE OF THE FLYING FIELD]
[II. FIELD SAFETY RULES]
[A. Spectator and Vehicle Control]
[B. The official AMA National Model Aircraft Safety Code]
[C. The following are some additional ARCS regulations]
[D. Transmitter Control]
[E. Flying Areas and Procedures]
[F. Pit Areas]
[G. Special Flights]
[H. Courtesy]
[III. PROVISIONS FOR ENFORCEMENT]
[A. General]
[B. Penalties]

FOREWARD

As is true with successful safety programs, the safety precautions to be practiced during model flying must be reasonable and not impose an undue burden on the modeler.   That is, the extra effort should not cause a reduction in enjoyment of the activity.  However, if safety rules are not observed injury and property damage could result.  A good Safety program can actually increase the overall enjoyment of model flying by helping to remove concerns for one’s safety.

This safety program represents a collection of information from the AMA rulebook, various publications, and members of the ARCS.

The safety program acts as a reminder to all modelers that the modern airplanes possess the potential to inflict economic damage and bodily harm.  The potential for destruction can be the result of equipment failure or from pilot error.  In either event, the possibility of injury or property damage is minimized when the safety rules are observed.

I.  USE OF THE FLYING FIELD

Without exception, all flyers must hold current AMA license and must comply with one of the following requirements:

• A member of the ARCS in good standing.
• A bona fide guest of an ARCS member. The ARCS member must accompany the guest to the field. Guests shall never be given the combination to the field locks. Each accompanied guest may visit and use the flying field on two different days, after which the guest is expected to become a member.  Special circumstances may result in exceptions to this rule if approved by a vote of the membership.
• Transient personnel, (those who will be in the area less than 180 total days), may fly at the field for a monthly charge of $5.00 and an initial charter fee of $10.00
• Contest participants.

II.  FIELD SAFETY RULES

1. Spectator and Vehicle Control
   • Spectators will be restricted to the designated area
   • Automobiles will be restricted to the designated roadway and parking area.
2. The official AMA National Model Aircraft Safety Code applies to all flying activities.
1. I will have completed a successful radio equipment ground range check before the first flight of a new or repaired model.
2. I will not fly my model aircraft in the presence of spectators until I become a qualified flier, unless assisted by an experienced helper.
3. At all flying sites a straight or curved line(s) must be established in front of which all flying takes place with the other side for spectators. Only personnel involved with flying the aircraft are allowed at or in the front of the flight line. Intentional flying behind the flight line is prohibited.
4. I will operate my model using only radio control frequencies currently allowed by the Federal Communications Commission. (Only properly licensed Amateurs are authorized to operate equipment on Amateur Band frequencies.)
5. I will not knowingly operate my model within three miles of a pre-existing flying site except in accordance with the frequency sharing agreement listed below in this paragraph.  Flying sites separated by three miles or more are considered safe from site-to site interference, even when both sites use the same frequencies. Any circumstances under three miles separation require a frequency management arrangement which may be either an allocation of specific frequencies for each site or testing to determine that freedom from interference exists. Allocation plans or interference test reports shall be signed by the parties involved and provided to AMA Headquarters. Documents of agreement and reports may exist between (1) two or more AMA Chartered Clubs, (2)AMA clubs and individual AMA members not associated with AMA Clubs, or (3) two or more individual AMA members, Document Number 551*.
6. For Combat, distance between combat engagement line and spectator line will be 500 feet per cubic inch of engine displacement. (Example: .40 engine = 200 feet.); electric motors will be based on equivalent combustion engine size. Additional safety requirements will be per the RC Combat section of the current Competition Regulations.
7. At air shows or model flying demonstrations a single straight line must be established, one side of which is for flying, with the other side for spectators.
8. With the exception of events flown under AMA Competition rules, after launch, except for pilots or helpers being used, no powered model may be flown closer than 25 feet to any person.
9. Under no circumstances may a pilot or other person touch a powered model in flight; nor should any part of the model other than the landing gear, intentionally touch the ground, except while landing.
10. All officials, callers, and contestants must properly wear helmets, which are OSHA, DOT, ANSI, SNELL, OR NOCSAE approved or comparable standard while on the race course with aircraft(s) in flight.
3. Following are some additional ARCS regulations.
   1. Knife-edge wings are not allowed.
   2. Metal propellers are not allowed.
   3. Engines must have installed a spinner or rounded propeller nut of not less than 1/8” radius.
   4. Engine size is limited a displacement based on AMA requirements.
   5. Models must be identified as required by AMA requirements.
   6. Mufflers are mandatory on all engines of .15 cubic inches or more displacement.  Flow-through mufflers are not allowed.  Tuned pipes are allowed.   Four-strokes, diesels, and electrics are excluded from the muffler rule.  It is a club rule for all aircraft to be operated with a maximum sound level of 98db measured at 9 feet.
4. Transmitter Control
   1. To possess a frequency pin, members must affix their AMA card to the pin position on the frequency control board prior to use.
   2. Standard frequency flags will be displayed on the transmitter antenna.
   3. A transmitter impound area is provided and all transmitters will be placed in the impound area.
   4. All transmitters will be impounded without exception.
   5. All flyers are to check impound area for transmitters left “on” before and after picking up and returning a frequency pin.
   6. Maximum time for possession of a frequency pin without securing permission of other flyers present on that specific frequency is 20 minutes.
5. Flying Areas and Procedures
   1. Flying is not allowed over the pit areas or spectators.
   2. The approved flying area is defined from the west side of the runway edge to the east.  Helicopter and aircraft flying is allowed south of the runway beyond the parking area.  The area to the north and west of the runway is a no fly zone.  The pilot standing area is on the same side of the runway as the spectator and pit areas.
   3. Avoid flying over any public road.
   4. A pilot may request that the field be closed for a test flight.
   5. When two or more pilots flying at the same time, it is recommended that an observer be present when possible.  The duties of the observer are to inform the flyers concerning other models in flight and to provide information to all pilots concerning such evens as impending landings, touch-and-go maneuvers, dead stick landings, and equipment problems.
   6. New flyers must demonstrate their ability to a Club Instructor Pilot before soloing.  Novice flyers must have an experienced flyer by their side to lend assistance if required.  Solo wings will be provided by the club to any member who demonstrates solo flight requirements to a designated club instructor pilot.  Solo flight includes but is not limited to:
      1. Safe takeoff
      2. Ability to fly straight and level flight
      3. Right and left turns
      4. Touch-and-go landing
      5. Full stop landing
   7. Club Instructors are designated by the Chief Flight Instructor after they have initialed and signed the ARCS Flight Safety Program and completed a flight demonstration if requested.  Club Instructors will not impose undue stress on a beginner’s aircraft or fly them in an unsafe manner.  Instructors will fly beginner’s aircraft as smoothly and level as possible unless specifically asked by the owner of the aircraft to exhibit reasonable aerobatics for that particular aircraft.
   8. There shall be a maximum of four flyers in the air simultaneously unless the fifth flyer has requested and received approval of the other four flyers to fly.
   9. If a full size aircraft or helicopter enters the ARCS airspace it is recommended that all RC aircraft remain below 400 ft until the full size craft leaves the ARCS airspace.  Fliers should use their best judgement to determine the safety of both the full size craft and everyone on the ground, keeping overall safety at the forefront of thier activities.
   10. Except for electric RC ducted fan aircraft, NO electric RC aircraft are allowed in the pavilion with the propeller(s) attached. If it is necessary to work on such an electric RC aircraft in the pavilion, the propeller(s) MUST be removed. Only then can the aircraft be armed to check operation. It is also STRONGLY recommended that tie down ropes be used for any electric RC ducted fan aircraft operation in the pavilion area.
6. Pit Areas
   1. Pit operations will be restricted to the designated areas.
   2. Engine running is not allowed under the pavilion area.
   3. The ARCS will provide and maintain a permanent adequate first aid kit at the flying site.
   4. Take offs are not allowed from the taxiway.
   5. As described above, electric RC aircraft with external propeller(s) attached can ONLY be armed (battery connected) in the pit area and NOT in the pavilion.
7. Special Flights
   Special flights of models that do not comply with AMA regulations can be undertaken only if:
   1. The individual obtains approval of the Safety Officer.
   2. The pilot provides proof of additional liability insurance.
   3. The field is closed for flight
   
   Other operations as approved by the Board of Directors.
8. Courtesy
   Courtesy pays great dividends.   Each member is obligated to  ensure that they are not discourteous and that they are setting a good example.  This means not only observing the safety rules but also to give consideration to others.

III.  PROVISIONS FOR ENFORCEMENT

1. General
   The Flying Safety Officer will have the authority to temporarily ground an individual if they believe that the aircraft being flown, equipment being used, or flight conduct is not in accordance with this safety program.  It is the responsibility of each member to support the Safety Officer’s decisions.
2. Penalties
   The Flying Safety Officer can ground any individual for the remainder of the flying day.  This can also be done on the basis of equipment condition, repeated violation of flying procedures, inability to provide proofs of AMA license, or the use of alcohol.
   1. A flyer can be grounded for one month by a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors or a two-thirds vote of the members present at the meeting.
   2. A flyer can be grounded for longer periods than one month or voted out of the club for repeated or serious violations.  A tow-thirds vote of the club membership is required.