TMAC
SAFETY RULES & GUIDELINES
We ask that you take the time to thoroughly read these rules and guidelines and understand the contents. If there is any part of this document you wish to have clarified, please ask one of our Committee Members.
At TMAC we take great pride in our very good attitude towards safety. All of our rules have been instigated for the safety of our members, visitors, observers, family, as well as to increase the chances of you taking your model home in one piece. Although we have a Safety Officer, it is not his sole responsibility to see, investigate or address every issue. If you see something that is of concern, outside of our safety rules, or a near miss that could have been serious, do NOT ignore it. Please advise the Safety Officer or a Committee member.
All members must at all times actively seek to identify any aero-modeling hazards and reduce or eliminate them.
If you are requested to act on any point of safety or noise etc, please do so immediately.
No modeler is to do or say anything that would make another modeler perform any unsafe act.
All visiting flyers must be advised of the TMAC Field and Safety Rules and abide by them.
NZMAA Affiliation
In order to fly model aircraft at any TMAC flying site in the Bay of Plenty you must be a current financial member of the NZMAA. Your current financial membership of TMAC or other clubs affiliated to NZMAA provides compliance with this requirement.
Intending members are welcome to use the facilities provided they are under the supervision of a suitably qualified member or club tutor when flying.
NZMAA Rules
The NZMAA has issued rules relevant to the safe operation of model aircraft in New Zealand. A copy of these rules is available to you on application to NZMAA or may be downloaded from the official NZMAA website. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to be conversant with these rules and to operate in accordance with them whilst using any TMAC model flying facility. A copy is available for your perusal at the Apata flying facility clubhouse.
NZMAA Proficiency Test
TMAC encourages all members to undertake the NZMAA Proficiency Test and attain their "Wings" Badge.
Declaration of Liability
Every member taking part in club activities does so entirely at his own risk and no member shall make any claim against the Club or any officer, member, servant or authorized agent thereof for any injury or loss suffered by any such member through the activities of the Club, notwithstanding that such injury or loss may have been caused by the negligence of the Club or any officer, member, servant of authorized agent thereof.
TMAC Rules
In addition to the general NZMAA rules, the following rules specific to the Apata flying site were promulgated by the TMAC Executive Committee on 7 May 2004 and revised on 7 May 2008.
Please refer to the attached site plan showing the layout of the Apata Flying Site.
1. No R/C model will be operated from the Apata site prior to 9 a.m. or after 8 p.m. on any day of
the week.
2. The unsupervised flying of any model R/C aircraft is forbidden at our field, unless the
flyer has passed his NZMAA proficiency test appropriate to the aircraft type or is
supervised by a suitably qualified observer.
3. Only radio frequencies approved by NZMAA and displayed on the official Frequency
Peg Board are to be used. It is YOUR responsibility to accurately know the frequency
of your transmitter. All transmitters must display an approved Frequency Tag.
4. No transmitter shall be turned on within the bounds of the flying site unless it displays the correct official NZMAA Frequency Tag. Should any model be "shot down" through failure to comply with this rule, the perpetrator will be responsible for the repair or replacement of the aggrieved pilot's model without argument.
5. Any new aircraft not previously flown, or model repaired following a major accident, must be inspected by the Safety Officer or another club official before its first flight.
6. The pilot is responsible for the integrity of any model in his care and is to ensure that it remains in a safe flying condition while it remains on the flight line. A student pilot is likewise responsible for the integrity of his own model even though it may be under the control of a club-appointed instructor. If you have any doubts as to the airworthiness of your model for any reason, please refer your concern to the Club Safety Officer for his direction. A Club appointed instructor with be responsible for the integrity of any club owned trainer while it is being operated under his supervision. An airworthiness check list is available from the club house.
7. A maximum of four (4) model aircraft are allowed in the air at any one time.
8. All pilots must be accompanied by a suitably experienced observer while flying an R/C model aircraft. Please refer to "Guidelines for Flight Observers" which are attached hereto.
9. All pilots and their observers are to stand at the official flying station while flying their model.
10. No spectators are to proceed beyond the Safety Fence line without the permission of the
Safety Officer or a Club official. Permission may be granted for taking photographs or similar
special reasons.
11. All model aircraft must be flown in accordance with CAA rules (part 101). If you cause an accident whilst in breach of CAA rules, you may be deemed to be criminally negligent.
12. No model aircraft weighing in excess of 15kg may be operated from the Apata flying site.
13. No modeler may operate a model higher that 400ft AGL at any TMAC flying site or in cloud.
In the Pits
1. You must not switch on your radio transmitter unless the official NZMAA frequency peg is attached.
2. All transmitters/models must be subject to a suitable range-check prior to the first flight of the day. Ideally this should be carried out with the engine running and the model restrained by an Observer.
3. All models should be adequately restrained on the ground prior to engine start. Ideally the model should be mechanically restrained on the ground or in a specialized jig. Alternatively the model may be physically restrained by the Observer.
4. The model must be positioned in the pits so that in the event that a propeller or spinner should part company with the airframe during an engine start attempt, these should not cause injury to any nearby person.
5. Apart from the initial starting of the model, ALL RUNNING UP AND ADJUSTMENTS should be done on the taxiway outside of the safety fence. NOTE: If a modeler requires to static run an engine for reasons other than immediate flight, that test-running is to be carried out in the designated area at either end of the pits area.
6. No models are to be taxied in the Pits area. After starting all models are to be carried or wheeled to the taxiway. After completion of a flight, motors must be cut outboard of the safety fence line.
On the Flight line
1. A maximum of four (4) models are permitted to be in the air at any one time.
2. After taxing your model to the edge of the strip, you must stop if others are flying, and request clearance from all active pilots in the Pilot Box, to continue onto the strip. You must receive their confirmation before proceeding any further.
3. All active pilots and their observers are to stand in the designated pilot box for the duration of the flight. Personnel should stand approximately two meters apart and remain within earshot of each other. A pilot may stand adjacent to or behind his model for the initial takeoff and then be guided into the designated pilot box and remain there for the duration of the flight.
4. Hand launched models must be launched into the wind over the runway in use and not from the taxiway. Taking off from the taxiway is not permitted.
5. If others are in the air at the same time as you, ALL low passes, touch and goes, maneuvers over the strip, landings etc., must be called so that others can hear. All other pilots must respond to these calls before you proceed with your intentions.
6. All flying is to be carried out to the northern side of the runway. No models are to be flown closer to the pits area than beyond an extended line running along the southern edge of the runway. Absolutely no models are to be flown over the pits, clubhouse or car park areas.
7. If you are the only one up flying, the sky is all yours (within the accepted flying zone).If there is more than one model flying, common direction circuits are to be flown to suit wind direction at the time.
8. At the completion of a flight where you are required to retrieve a model from, or beyond, the active strip, you must request permission to do so from the other active flyers in the pilot box. You must receive their permission before proceeding.
Helicopters
It is dangerous to fly fixed wing aircraft and helicopters over the runway at the same time and members flying fixed wing aircraft are asked to liaise with helicopter pilots on the day and provide time for them to have sole use of the runway.
GENERAL SAFETY GUIDELINES
Emergency First Aid
There is a first aid kit in the Club House. In the event of an accident or medical emergency, please use a cell phone to call 111 and ask for "Ambulance". A club member should go to the intersection of the State Highway and Wainui South Rd to direct the ambulance to our flying facility.
The closest Medical Center to the Apata strip is the Bethlehem Medical Center, 16 Bethlehem Rd, Tauranga - telephone 576 4883.
Transmitter Pound
It is imperative that the first thing that should be done after you arrive at the field is put your transmitter (or transmitters) in the "pound" viz., on the shelves on the right front of the Clubhouse. This relates to all flyers - fixed wing, helicopter, glider etc. you must then have the official NZMAA frequency peg (for that transmitter) before you can retrieve your transmitter from the pound. The only time the transmitter should be out of the pound is when you are flying. Once you have finished your flight you must return your transmitter to the pound and swap the frequency peg for your name peg.
Pre Flight Check
Everyone is reminded that we should all give our models a thorough check either at home or at the field before flying each day. This should include checking fuselage and wings for soundness, that there are no holes or cuts in the covering, all control surfaces and hinging, linkages, horns, servos, wing fixing bolts/bands, spinner, prop, motor mounts, muffler, needle valve plus any other obvious areas that should be checked.
Transmitter - Model Selection
If you operate a transmitter which electronically stores the settings for a number of different models, always check before you taxi out that you have selected the correct model and that all control surfaces are operating correctly and in the right direction.
Transmitter Frequencies
The club has equipment to check transmitter frequencies and members are requested to check the frequency of new transmitters and when crystals are changed on existing transmitters. Each transmitter will be issued with a 'certified' sticker confirming that its frequency has been checked.
Transmitter and On Board Batteries
Just because you charged your batteries the night before, don't presume that they are fully charged and ready for a days flying. Always check the voltage of your transmitter and onboard batteries as part of your pre-flight check at the start of each day as well as at regular intervals during the day. If you do not have a way of checking on-board batteries, ask if you may borrow a test meter until you purchase your own.
Metal Frequency/Name Pegs
It is not recommended to attach any metal peg to your transmitter aerial while flying. If they make contact with the metal handle of the transmitter, they can cause a direct short from you aerial causing models to crash.
REMEMBER: "SAFETY" means NO ACCIDENTS
GUIDELINES FOR FLIGHT OBSERVERS
With an ever increasing focus on safety issues both NZMAA and TMAC flying guidelines requires the presence of an Observer with each pilot at all times. This includes not only the flying phase but also start up and shut down. But why do we need an observer and what are their duties?
Accident prevention is the main reason, in compensating for tunnel vision effect when the pilot is concentrating on flying, keeping track of conflicting air traffic, ensuring the runway is clear during take-off and landings, advising other flyers of the pilots intentions and being available to take over control if required. The following is a list of duties which are considered necessary for each flight.
BEFORE FLIGHT
1. Before switching on any RC gear, check that the correct frequency peg has been taken from the board and that the pilot's peg is in the correct position on the board.
2. If it is the first flight of the day or adjustments have been made to the R/C ensure that a range check has been completed and the controls function correctly.
3. Ensure fuelling has been completed and, with the pilot, estimate the approximate flight time.
4. Assist in pre-flight checks and restrain the plane during engine start-up.
5. Check the TX aerial is extended and control trims are in the correct positions.
6. Carry either the plane or TX to the taxiway.
7. Check the wind/takeoff direction and that the runway is clear before the pilot taxies to the take-off position. If all is clear call " taking off " and give the driver the Green Flag.
DURING FLIGHT
1. Note take-off time and assess safe flight duration. (approx. 70% of total flight time)
2. Ensure pilot flies the correct circuit (see Notice Board) and advise other pilots if/when special maneuvers are to be carried out.
3. Check for clear air space around the plane and advise pilot of possible dangers. E.g., other planes, trees, fences, safety net, hawks and the ground!
4. Advise the pilot if he is getting too far away, too high or too low!
5. Frequently check flight duration and advise pilot if safe duration time is reached.
6. If engine cuts out, immediately call "dead stick" to obtain landing priority.
7. Monitor other planes position and movements when pilot decides to land. Call "landing" as plane approaches finals.
8. Be prepared to make adjustments to trims, dual rates etc. or, if requested, take over control.
AFTER FLIGHT
1. Carry plane or TX back to the pits or assist in plane recovery if necessary.
2. Ensure both TX and plane are switched off and frequency pegs are exchanged correctly.
3. If requested, discuss any points arising out of the flight with the pilot.
REMEMBER- SAFETY FIRST AT ALL TIMES |
