Club Rules - Heart of England Aeromodellers

Heart of England Aeromodellers Limited Club Rules from 3/9/2022

Access to Flying Site

Access to the flying site is only through the gate on Maxstoke Lane, the code for the gate lock being changed periodically and only issued to paid up members of the club;
The access gate should be closed and locked after entry and exit, and the last person leaving the site should lock it behind them.
All vehicles are to be parked neatly on the car park area to the left of the caravan;
The flight line and pits areas are to be accessed by foot, travelling down the mowed area(s) from the car park by the caravan;
Overspill car parking is just to the left of the access gate from Maxstoke lane;
When using the overspill car park, access to the flightline and pits is to be via the perimeter access track, round to the main car parking area and then via the mowed area(s)
All pilots should sign the club’s field attendance book, giving the time of their arrival, and then departure

Sound levels and testing

No model shall be flown, (or its engine/motor run) with a sound level greater than 82db (or 79bdA as appropriate)
Any model perceived to be in excess of the 79/82bDa level shall be tested in accordance with the BMFA guide to measuring sound levels;
Should the model fail the test, then it should not continue be flown until it is modified by changing the propeller size, motive power details, silencing etc;
Any change to a models’ set up will require the new set up to be retested.
The 79/82bDa level should not be treated as a target, but as an absolute maximum.

Hours of Operation

	<79dbA	<82dbA
Monday – Friday	9.30-9pm	9.30am – 7pm
Saturday	9.30-9pm	11am – 3pm
Sunday & Bank Holidays	10am-9pm

In all instances no flying of any type is allowed after sunset

Fly/No fly Zones

Attached to these flight rules is a drawing showing the fly/no fly zones which must be adhered to at all times;
No flying is allowed behind the extended flight line.
There is also a height limit of 400 feet above ground level, above which no flying is allowed, in accordance with current CAA/ANO regulations.

BMFA membership and Insurance

All members are required to be fully paid up members of the BMFA and have the benefits of BMFA insurance.

CAA Registration

Operators of models should be registered as operators/flyers of their model as required by the CAA/ANO;
Their operator’s registration number to be displayed in accordance with the requirements of the CAA.

Documentation required

All members wishing to fly shall carry with them, and have available for checking their club membership card; proof of BMFA membership and such documentation as required by the CAA/ANO;
No member should fly without having all of the above with them at the field.
No model shall be flown at any time behind the extended line of the “flight line” as shown on the drawing of the fly/no fly zones;

New Members

All new members, regardless of whether they hold a BMFA achievement scheme certificate, shall have their flying competency assessed by either a committee member, club instructor or examiner before being allowed to fly solo.

Flight Line Procedures

When taking off from left to right the first turn is to be to the left;
When taking off from right to left the first turn is to be to the right;
When wishing to take off the pilot should ascertain whether the approach is clear and if so call “ on the strip”, and if clear to do so, place their model in the take-off position, return to the pilots’ box, call “clear” and promptly take off in the circuit direction. Models already on the runway have priority over those not yet on final approach. There should be no “running up” of an engine on the runway
When ready to land a pilot should ascertain if it is safe to do so and if so call “landing”, land on the runway. Before retrieving the model they should check it is safe to do so, call “on the strip” and if clear to do so, collect the model and return it to the pits area, calling “clear” when off the runway. Models on final approach have priority over those pilots wishing to enter the runway.
In the event of a model going “deadstick” then other pilots should keep clear and give them priority.
Pilots of all types should be prepared to fly together whether, fixed-wing, helicopters, or multi-rotor.

Only by agreement between those pilots present should a pilot be given sole access to fly, (for a first flight, test flight, or other such reason), but such agreement should not be unreasonably withheld.
All non-flying equipment must be kept in the Pits
No model shall be flown in a reckless or dangerous manner or flown outside the relevant zones marked for flying on the site maps provided by and amended from time to time by the committee. No model shall be flown over any person(s).
No model should be flown during field maintenance or cultivation (whole field)
If any member observes an incident (whether they are involved or not) at the flying club where a person(s) and/or animal(s) is injured or their safety is compromised or property is damaged they must bring the incident to the attention of a club official. ( Contact details displayed in club caravan);
If it becomes necessary to retrieve a model from crops, use tractor tramlines to minimize damage to the crop and no more than two persons shall enter the cropped area to retrieve a model;
Members are responsible for their guests whilst on the flying site and must ensure that all relevant details are recorded in the visitor’s book (situated in the club caravan) before flying. Flying guests must have with them for inspection, the same documentation as required from a club member This rule does not apply to prospective members or guests who are flying on a buddy system under the instruction of a Registered Club Instructor. All Guests are subject to, and must abide, by the club rules as published on the club’s website. Guest flyers are allowed to fly at the club on a maximum of three (3) occasions during any calendar year.
Children must be supervised at all times by a Parent / Guardian whilst on the flying site.
All model flying activities, by club members at the club flying field(s), both in the air and on the ground are to strictly comply with the procedures incorporated in the BMFA Members’ Handbook, all CAA regulations and the ANO, any BMFA Guidance Notes, etc., with particular (but not exclusive) reference to the operation of FPV models; Multi-Rotor Models, and Gas Turbines (see also the BMFA Code of Practice for the Operation of Gas Turbine Powered Model Aircraft).
In addition the operation of Gas Turbine Powered Model Aircraft is strictly forbidden when there are crops of a combustible nature in the area surrounding the flight strip, or any persons or machinery present in the surrounding area, whether agricultural workers or others. Pilots of gas turbine powered models must hold a BMFA “B” certificate, (or equivalent) appropriate to the type of model being flown.
All club members are to be personally responsible for familiarising themselves with the above-mentioned publications, any periodic amendments/upgrades to same, and for complying with the contents therein.

Flying Instruction and Solo flying

All flying instruction shall be carried out under the supervision of a club authorised instructor who shall hold as a minimum an ‘A’ certificate appropriate to the type of model being flown by the student;
Instruction flights are only to be given using either a buddy lead, or buddy wireless system.
The Model Owners CAA operator’s registration number must be displayed in accordance with the requirements of the CAA;
Solo flying is only to be carried out by a suitable experienced pilot with a minimum of a BMFA BPC or ‘A’ Certificate ( as appropriate ) for the type of model being flown. The model must carry the model owner’s CAA operator’s registration number as required by the CAA. The pilot has to have completed and passed the CAA competency test, or the BMFA equivalent.
Instruction will be undertaken with the “Buddy-box system” controlled by a club instructor. For Helicopters you must either be on a Buddy-Box system or have an instructor besides you. When the instructor is of the opinion that the student has reached a satisfactory level of competence, the student will be allowed to fly “off the buddy-box” PROVIDED the student has passed the CAA flight competency test and is accompanied in the pilot’s box and supervised by an instructor who flies on the same “mode” as the student. This shall be for a maximum period of one month during which time the student will be required to take a BMFA relevant flight test. In the event of failure, the student will have to undertake a further period of instruction until the instructor feels confident they are ready to pass before re-taking the test.
Once the student has passed the relevant flight test they will be allowed to fly models solo, of a type which accords with the particular test undertaken, provided they comply with the requirements of the CAA/ANO;
No member will be allowed to fly models over 7.5 kg from the club-flying site unless documentary evidence is produced to the satisfaction of the committee, that said member has sought and obtained the necessary permission from Birmingham Airport (BHX)Air Traffic Control, in accordance with the Air Navigation Order, that the model complies with CAA guidelines and the pilot holds a BMFA (B) certificate. This documentation should be kept on the pilot’s person at the club field at all times when flying such a model.

Junior fliers

Junior fliers below the age of 18 should fly in accordance with the rules of the CAA/ANO.

Transmitter Control

All pilots should carry out a satisfactory range test prior to the first use of a transmitter or receiver, in accordance with the equipment manufacturers’ instructions;
Where the transmitter in use has a “FAILSAFE” capability, this should be enabled at all times, to the settings of neutralising all flight surfaces and reducing the throttle to the minimum;
Pilots using 35mHz equipment should display the frequency they are using by attaching a correctly numbered “frequency pennant” to the aerial of their transmitter;
Such operators on 35mhz shall communicate and liaise between themselves at the field to ensure there are no frequency clashes;
The club DOES NOT operate any other form of transmitter control for 35mhz equipment and therefore the use of such is solely the responsibility of 35mhz operators;
The use of DSC (direct servo control) without switching on the transmitter is not permitted without conforming to such frequency control.

First Person View

All FPV flights shall be undertaken with a “ competent observer” alongside the pilot for the whole duration of the flight, in accordance with the CAA requirements, suitable briefed and experienced.
The observer should keep the subject model in sight at all times;
Only models below 3.5kg all up weight, including fuel or batteries may be flown FPV;
Only one model at a time can be monitored by each “competent observer”.
If the competent observer is of the opinion that a flight should be terminated or the flight pattern amended for any reason then the pilot must concur and act accordingly.

Commercial Flying

No commercial flying may be undertaken at any time from the Club’s flying field, nor using the club’s field facilities.

Abbreviations Used

ANO                   Air Navigation Order
BMFA                British Model Flying Association
CAA                    Civil Aviation Authority
FPV                     First Person View.

Heart of England Aeromodellers Ltd.

Registered in England and Wales.
Registered Office:
2 Highlands Court,
Cranmore Avenue,
Solihull,
West Midlands,
B90 4LE

Company No. 11014200

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