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Welcome To Llantrisant & District Aeromodelling Club
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| safety rules |
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1. Ensure your model is restrained before attempting to start the engine.
2. Your frequency control peg is a MUST before you switch on your radio.
3. Place your transmitter behind you so once the engine has started you are moving away from the spinning prop.
4. Ensure all leads i.e. starter, glow clip are away from the prop arc.
5. All adjustments and removal of glow clip should take place from behind the engine.
6. All models will be started in a line facing away from the pits area.
7. Ask pilots already flying if it is ok to proceed to the take off point.
8. Leave your transmitter in the pilot's area before removing plane.
9. Inform pilots you are ON THE PATCH when removing your plane.
Computer radio and fail-safe.
If you are operating a transmitter with built in failsafe ensure you have the facility switched ON. Refer to your operator's manual or ask for advice. This is a legal requirement for larger models but it is good safe practice for smaller models as well.
First Aid Kits.
Every member should carry a basic first aid kit in his or her vehicle; we have been lucky so far with first kits available for use when needed.
Full size
Notice is to be made of full size activity, any full size plane take precedence over model aircraft. If a full size over flies the strip ALL models must immediately land and all models and pilots retire to the pits area by the quickest route. In the case of an emergency landing by a full size dump models away from the landing strip and retrieve at as soon as it is safe to do so.
Extract from the BMFA Handbook outlining safety requirements for Model Aircraft
YOUR FITNESS TO FLY.
Many factors can affect your day-to-day ability not
only to pilot a model aircraft, but also to participate
in other flying related activities (a good example of
this would be the retrieving of free flight models).
Careful consideration should be given before flying
to ensure that you are not compromising your own
safety and welfare or that of those around you. Be
aware that you might occasionally be ‘unfit to fly’.
When at the flying field take good care of yourself,
make sure that you are equipped with any
medication that you are taking. In hot weather
consider taking sun-block, a hat and fluids - the
effects of de-hydration can be serious. In cold
weather make sure that you are equipped with
suitable clothing.
Some medications may render you unfit to fly and
the effects of alcohol should not be ignored. As a
guide, if you are fit to drive a motor vehicle then you
are probably fit to fly an R/C aircraft. If you are in
any doubt then do not fly solo.
If you wear prescription glasses or contact lenses
ensure that these are used along with appropriate
eye protection for the prevailing conditions. Good
quality sunglasses will help protect your eyes from
harmful UV radiation at any time of the year.
As always, however, the responsibility for the final
decision on whether to fly rests with you, the pilot.
THE BMFA GUIDES TO THE SAFE
OPERATION OF MODEL AIRCRAFT
General(a) Clubs or groups of flyers should draw up
carefully considered safety rules for specific sites. It
is recommended that the Codes in this Handbook
are used as a basis for these rules but additions to
cover local circumstances should always be
considered too. These ‘flying field’ rules, should
cover the club or group’s normal operating
procedures and safety measures.
(b) Clubs should take care to keep their flying field
rules separate from their Club Constitution. This will
enable them to regularly review their operating
procedures to ensure that, if any additional safety
measures are needed, they are recognised and
implemented.
(c) Where byelaws restrict model flying to specific
areas and times, model flyers should encourage
local authorities to erect notices indicating the
restrictions.
(d) On public sites, or sites where casual visits by
the public are likely, always try to use the same
take-off areas. Other regular users will then expect
to see model aircraft operating from a particular
place.
(e) On private sites with public access, suitable
notices warning of model flying should be erected if
possible and where appropriate. The signs should
say ‘Please Be Aware. Model Flying Takes Place
Beyond This Point’.
The Safety Marshal
(f) On any site with public access, and especially
on sites where model flying activity and the public
interact regularly, it is strongly recommended that a
SAFETY MARSHAL be appointed at any flying
sessions. His duties should include warning both
the public and flyers of flight patterns, take-off areas
and safety procedures and advising spectators of
the safest area from which to watch.
Note that the person appointed will usually be
appointed on the day and it may not be the same
person all day. Many clubs operate the system
successfully by having a rota system so that no one
individual is expected to do too much.
It may even be that every member on the field is
tasked with acting as a Safety Marshall as part of
their flying field responsibilities.
The most important point is that all flyers are aware
that care must be taken and that steps have to be
taken to ensure public safety.
The Club Safety Officer
(g) If it is considered to be appropriate, a Club
should appoint a competent
Club SAFETY OFFICER
whose duties would be to ensure that
both the BMFA and the Club Safety Codes are
followed.
However, a Safety Officer acting alone has an
almost impossible task and some form of
infrastructure should be set up within the club to
help the designated officer.
The most successful way to do this is to make the
task of Assistant Safety Officer part of the duties of
every Committee member. These Assistants then
report to the designated Safety Officer when
required. This will keep the Safety Group to a
manageable size but will ensure that there is a
recognised safety presence at most flying sessions.
If it is felt that this might not be enough, you can
appoint other responsible club members as
Assistants too. Examiners, Instructors or senior club
members might all be candidates.
It is not recommended that you appoint ‘all club
members’ as their own safety officers. Such an
approach loses the focus of a smaller group and
can become ineffective.
(h) Clubs should educate and encourage their
members, particularly new or junior members, to
conform to Club safety requirements and should
have no hesitation in disciplining persistent
offenders.
Using Your Flying Site
(i) All flyers must ensure that the site they intend to
use is entirely suitable for the type and size of
model they wish to fly before attempting to use it.
You are personally responsible for the flights you
make and the consequences of flying at an
inappropriate site could be serious.
(j) All flyers must ensure that the site is left free of
any foreign objects or debris. This is particularly
important where the use of active airfields is
concerned or when livestock is likely to have access
to the site at any time.
(k) CAP 658 says,
For any model aircraft flying, first choose an
unobstructed site and at all times keep a safe
distance from persons, vessels vehicles and
structures.
Then only fly in suitable weather, with regard for any
other conditions such as local bylaws and with due
consideration for other people and property.
(l) If light conditions or visibility are such that you
might lose sight of your model then do not fly.
(m) Take great care if you fly near any overhead
cables. Telephone wires are dangerous and
electricity cables can and have killed. Even the low
level electricity lines on wooden posts carry lethal
voltages. KEEP CLEAR.
(n) Do not leave fuel, adhesives etc. where children
or other spectators may get hold of them.
(o) Flying alone should be avoided if at all possible.
There are many cases on record where model flyers
have been injured or incapacitated on the flying field
and have only been saved from permanent injury or
worse by the prompt actions of fellow flyers.
If you do fly alone, take a mobile ‘phone with you.
There are risks of interference with a mobile but the
safety factor of being able to summon help if you
are injured is more important.
(q) It is extremely unwise to let children wander on
a flying site. If children are there make sure that
they are under supervision and safe.
(r) Dogs and model aircraft do not mix. If you take
your dog to the flying field it should be on a lead and
restrained at all times. |
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