Chesham Model Flying Club General Rules
1.
Enjoy your hobby, have fun, and always be kind and courteous to fellow members.
2.
The club's financial and flying year will run from the first (1st) of September each year. Annual subscriptions will cover the Calendar Year with a payment renewal deadline of 31st January. Membership will lapse if no payment is made and a new joining fee imposed.
3.
Each member by their acceptance of membership of the club fully agrees to abide by the rules of the club. They also agree that no liability of any kind will attach to the committee of the club for the time being, arising from and in any manner in connection with any insurance, any claim or any loss whatsoever.
4.
New flying members must demonstrate their flying ability before they are allowed to fly unsupervised at club fields.
5.
Prospective members must have their applications supported by at least one senior member plus a committee member. Their flying needs and current competence will be assessed by a senior flying member.
6.
The club operates a one year probationary period for all new members during which their membership may be terminated by a straight majority vote of the committee and the refund of any fees paid.
7.
New trainee pilots must join the club’s fixed wing training scheme. No trainee pilot shall fly at club fields except under the supervision of an instructor approved by the committee.
8.
The club operates under the BMFA Achievement Scheme, examiners will be available through the BMFA.
9.
Failsafes on ALL models must be set in accordance with current BMFA/CAA requirements. Any petrol engine model must also be fitted with a separate opto isolator or other device which cuts off the ignition supply and is operated by the transmitter. No models which require a CAA Exemption Certificate (0ver 25kg wet)may be flown at the club
10.
It shall be the responsibility of each member to ensure that their operation of free flight, control line or radio controlled model aircraft shall comply in every particular with any legislation, rule or official requirement governing, controlling or appertaining to the operation of such model and each member accepts that the appropriate insurance cover shall not protect them from loss if they are in any breach of such requirement.
11.
A strict silencing rule shall be enforced. The Department of the Environment Code of Practice for the minimisation of noise from model aircraft shall apply. Should any model conform to the DoE silencing rules, but still appear excessively noisy in the air, then the committee shall decide whether the model should be flown. The committee’s decision in this matter shall be final.
12.
'Guests' are permitted in the flying field. Their safety is the sole responsibility of the member accompanying them.
13.
In addition to rule 12, ‘Flying Guests’ must be BMFA insured and hold a minimum of a BMFA ‘A’ Certificate. They must only fly under the supervision of a BMFA ‘B’ Certificate club member and must provide proof of current BMFA insurance cover.
14.
I.C. Powered Flying shall only take place from the site between 0900 hours and 1900 hours on Weekdays and Saturdays; 1000 hours and 1800 hours on Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Electric Powered Flying: Any daylight hours.
15.
Free Flight models, including rockets must not be flown.
Discus Launch Gliders (small) may be flown.
Larger gliders can only be flown using a tug aircraft to tow the glider into the air.
Both tug and glider must be fitted with independent release mechanisms.
Both pilots must hold minimum of BMFA ‘B’ rating.
Gas Turbine models are permitted to be flown up to 140N
16.
The 27MHz band is not permitted. (Sitesafety)
17.
No vehicles must be parked in the field entrance or Newground Road. Access to the field must only be made through the main gate. This gate must be closed once you have entered the field and the combination lock secured to the post ring with the code scrambled. The last member to leave the field after a flying session must ensure that all equipment is locked away, the track gate is locked, and the main gate is locked.
18.
Pilots should always fly within the boundaries of the club’s field, and, under no circumstances over-fly the railway lines.
19.
The BMFA Safety Code must be observed by all members at all times and will be rigidly enforced by the committee. Every member is a Safety Officer in his/her own right. If you witness a transgression, you should politely inform the member concerned of their error, or if appropriate, report the matter to the committee who will take further action if necessary in the interests of all.
20.
Members who fly on 2.4GHz do not need to use the peg board. However, the club Frequency Peg Board must be used by all members flying on 35MHz using their club issued personal peg. Generally the use of all legal frequencies will be permitted
NOTE: New members are expected to fly on 2.4GHz.
21.
All aircraft (fixed wing and helicopters) should be prepared for flight on the aircraft park (pits area) as shown on the latest issue site map displayed in the club shelter.
Pilots when flying must stand together on the edge of the take-off and landing patch. All aircraft (fixed wing should fly separately to helicopters) must fly circuits in the same direction, as dictated by the wind direction. The patch should only be over-flown ‘into wind’.
Prior warning of ‘take-off’ and ‘landing’ must be clearly called.
No aircraft must ever be taxied toward the pits area.
No trainee pilot shall fly at club fields except under the supervision of an instructor approved by the Committee.
If helicopters are being hovered only, then this must take place on the patch and under no circumstances elsewhere on the flying area. When this takes place, no fixed wing aircraft are to be flown until the patch is clear.
22.
Only three I/C powered models should be in the air at any one time. All flying should take place from the close mown patch and the flight pattern should, where practical, be over our own field. Do not over-fly designated ‘Dead Airspace’, and take care to keep all aircraft away from any nearby dwellings and other sensitive areas.
23.
After flying and before leaving site. Please ensure that no litter or rubbish is left at the site.
24.
Each member will be supplied with keys and combinations for Club padlocks. All keys remain the property of CMFC Ltd, and must be returned to a committee member at the members own cost on termination of membership. Key deposits are refunded on their return. Combinations will change year on year and be issued on renewal of membership.