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» Club/Safety Rules and Regulations |
General Rules
- WIMAC is a private club whose field is for use by paid members and visiting pilots only. Membership cards must be worn while at the field. A list of paid members is posted in the cabinet mounted on the transmitter impound. The membership status of anyone not wearing a card can be verified by checking this list.
- Visiting pilots are permitted to use the field twice per flying season. Exceptions to this rule may be made by the Club Executive for visiting pilots from out-of-town. All visiting pilots must be supervised by the inviting Club Member. Visitors will not be told the combination to the gate.
- All pilots using the field MUST have MAAC or AMA insurance. Pilots must have their card with them at the field to show proof of insurance.
- Vehicles must be parked in the designated parking areas. Two parking areas are available and are based upon the field conditions. In dry conditions, the cars may be parked in the area next to the ditch behind the spectator stands. During loading/unloading only, vehicles may be temporarily parked next to the spectator's stands.
- In wet conditions, particularly during spring, the road may be too soft to allow vehicles to drive into the area behind the stands. An obvious obstruction is used to block the road during wet conditions. In this case, vehicles should be parked either along the road or in the alternate parking area at the turn in the road.
- Upon arriving at the field, pilots must place their transmitter in the transmitter impound.
- Pilots on 72MHz must observe the frequency control system. If two pilots wish to fly on adjacent channels, they must verify that their radios are operating normally with both systems operational. Pilot name, frequency and channel number must be written on the frequency pins.
- Anyone turning on a 72MHz transmitter without first clipping their frequency pin onto the frequency control board will be expected to pay 100% of resulting damages.
- Pilots with 2.4GHz systems are not required to put a frequency pin on the frequency control board but is still recommended to enforce good habit for non-spectrum transmitters as well as to alert other pilots of your presence on the flight-line.
- Student pilots (i.e. inexperienced) must request aircraft inspection and pilot assistance from an authorized Club Instructor.
- A pilot must receive authorization by the Club Executive to act as an Instructor.
- A pilot doing a "First flight" or initial "Test flight" for a new or modified aircraft will advise all other pilots and spectators and request exclusive use or airspace and runway. A "First Flight" is defined as any flight with an aircraft that has either never flown, or has been subjected to a modification or repair that could have an unpredictable effect to its flying characteristics. All other pilots are to defer to this call and let the pilot test and trim his aircraft alone.
- First flights are NOT to be taken by any pilot who has not obtained "Solo" certification (i.e. qualified for solo flight takeoffs and landings). It is highly recommended that Test flights be made by an authorized Club Instructor.
- Aircraft which have been involved in a crash or with suspected problems (radio, flutter, flight stability, etc.) should not be flown until the problem(s) have been identified and corrected.
- When flying from the runway, it is STRICTLY PROHIBITED to fly in the NO-FLY ZONE North of the runway. This zone is defined as north of the runway center-line and extends from horizon to horizon. This zone includes the pilot area, pits, spectator, parking areas and the regions near the houses on Pilon St. & Gouin Blvd. The purpose of this rule is to protect the safety of pilots and spectators, and reduce the noise heard by the locals.
- Landing aircraft have priority.
- Responsibility for mid-air is shared equally by each pilot. Therefore, each pilot pays for his/her own damages.
- During busy periods, pilots must limit flights to one tank of fuel. After each flight the transmitter must be returned to the impound and the frequency pin removed from the frequency control board.
- Pilots with the same frequency will fly on a first come, first serve basis.
- Prolonged runs for breaking-in or adjusting should be done in the area designated for large Gas engine planes.
- All engines must have an exhaust system approved by the Club Executive. The Club Executive has the authority to ground any aircraft deemed too noisy.
- Operating any combustion engine is prohibited before 10AM and after sunset.
- It is forbidden to smoke in the pit area due to the dangers it creates.
- All aircraft are to be grounded while the lawn is being cut and do not make the guy wait until you are through flying. He is not paid by the hour. This should be obvious but apparently it is not.
- Members must keep the flying field clean. All forms of littering, whether elastics, cigarette butts, paper cans, props, etc. is prohibited. You are responsible for your own garbage.
- The last member leaving the field must lock the gate and ensure all non-club members and vehicles have left.
- If a situation arises which is not covered by these rules, common sense and courtesy should prevail.
Safety Rules
- Lone flight is defined as a single airborne aircraft with all the other aircraft on the ground, none on the runway and with no other pilots requesting take-off clearance.
- The Pit Area is defined as the area between the taxiway and the spectator stands.
- The Pilot Area is defined as the area enclosed by the taxiways and the runway.
- The Pilot Stations are the patio stones which have been placed in the pilot area. These stations are 15 feet from the edge of the runway and are 25 feet apart.
- A maximum of four (4) aircraft are allowed airborne at any time at the runway. Exceptions may be made for special events such as combat. All other aircraft must be on the ground and off the runway. A maximum of two (2) helicopters are allowed airborne in the helicopter area at any time.
- No person is allowed in the pilot area unless they are acting as a spotter, an Instructor, Safety Officer or pilot. Pilots must not be distracted by visitors, other members, children, etc.
- Pilots are expected to stand in the designated pilot station when flying.
- During take-off and landing, a pilot at a pilot station may briefly move closer to the runway to ensure an unimpeded view of the aircraft if the intention is announced to the other flying Pilots.
- When learning to take-off, Student pilots may stand on the runway behind their aircraft only if they are accompanied by a spotter or Instructor. Once airborne, they must immediately leave the runway and move to a pilot station.
- Take-offs and landings must be clearly announced and pilots doing so must ensure that the other pilots flying have heard the announcement.
- Take-offs and landings are not permitted from the taxi areas.
- Low passes (below 50 feet) are not permitted over the runway. They are permitted over the grass area opposite the flight line but should be announced to other pilots. This rule does not apply during lone flight.
- Aircraft maintenance or engine starting is not permitted on the runway. Aircraft should taxi off the runway (or be removed if the engine has quit) as soon as possible. Minor & quick adjustment (running up the engine while holding the aircraft) may be made on the runway, provided the pilot is accompanied by a spotter. This rule does not apply during lone flight.
- Hand-launched aircraft must be launched on or beyond the runway, away from the pilot/pit/spectator/parking areas and only after having announced and received permission from all flying pilots.
- Pilots should not be distracted while flying or starting their engine. Move away from the aircraft unless the pilot has specifically asked you to assist.
- In the interest of personal safety, MAAC and WIMAC both recommend that pilots not fly or start an engine while alone at the field. In the event of an accident or injury, no one would be available to assist, call an ambulance, etc.
Rule Enforcement Policy
These rules have been instituted to preserve the safety and enjoyment of members, visitors and spectators. It is up to everyone to respect and enforce the rules. In the unlikely event where someone is unwilling to obey the rules, this problem will be dealt with by the Club Executive who will jointly take fair and responsible action.
WIMAC is an organization which strives to provide peaceful and safe enjoyment for its members through aeromodelling. This enjoyment and safety should not be jeopardized by those unwilling to follow the rules of MAAC and WIMAC which have been adopted to protect the membership. Indeed the existence of the Club itself would be at risk if these rules are not followed.
For these reasons, the Club Executive proposes the following mechanism for rule enforcement. This mechanism would consist of a "three strike and you're out" policy as follows:
- In the instance of a first infraction of the rules, a member will receive a verbal warning. This warning shall describe the offense and shall offer recommendations to the member. It is stressed that the purpose of the warning is to improve the member's performance and to prevent undesired situations.
- A second offense (in a calendar year) will result in a written warning. This warning shall also describe the offense and offer recommendations. A written warning indicates that the Club is concerned about a member's performance and urges the member to improve.
- A third offense (in a calendar year) shall result in an executive warning and the immediate suspension of a member's privileges. An Executive meeting shall be held as soon as conveniently possible to review the member's situation. The member is invited to state their case to the Executive. In response, the Executive shall have the authority to dismiss or confirm the warning, reinstate the member's privileges, terminate a member's privileges for that year, or other actions the Executive deems appropriate.
In serious circumstances, a violation can result immediately in a Executive warning and suspension of a member's privileges. Examples of this would be flying without MAAC or AMA insurance or complete disregards of the NO-FLY ZONE. These instances shall be treated in the same manner as a third offense.
In the interest of safety and preserving the peaceful atmosphere of the Club, members receiving a warning must immediately comply with its recommendations. This is particularly important if the situation involves a model in flight. Should a member disagree with a warning, the member is invited to forward the matter to the Executive for full review.
While warning may only be issued by the Club Executives, it is the responsibility of all members to enforce these safety rules and guidelines.
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