Constitution And Full Club Rules
1. NAME
The name of the Club shall be:-
NOTTINGHAM RADIO CONTROL SOCIETY
2. OBJECTS
The aims of the club shall be :-
a) To provide facilities for the sport of model aircraft construction and flying
b) To assist members in improving their standards of building and flying model aircraft and to require strict observance of all rules in the interest of health and safety.
c) To encourage and promote Club social activities.
d) To organise and direct Club competitions and events as required by the members.
e) To abide by and promote the national policies and rules of the governing body for the sport by affiliation to the British Model Flying Association (Society of Model Aeronautical Engineers Ltd).
3. MEMBERSHIP
Membership shall run for 12 months from 1st January
to 31st December.
a) ORDINARY MEMBERSHIP
There will be two classes of membership.
i) SENIOR MEMBERS. Age 18 years and above.
ii) JUNIOR MEMBERS. Age 12 to 18 years.
Under the age of 12, the parent, legal guardian must be a Senior Member.
b) HONORARY MEMBERSHIP
Honorary Membership may be conferred at the discretion of the Committee and is for life unless withdrawn by the Committee.
c) MEMBERSHIP LIMITS
In the event of it being necessary to limit the number of members for whatever reason, the limit shall be decided at the Annual General Meeting
d) NEW MEMBERS
New members who are not existing members of the British Model Flying Association ( B.M.F.A.) will be required to join the B.M.F.A. as a condition of club membership. (It is a requirement of affiliation to the B.M.F.A. that all club members are B.M.F.A. members)
4. SUBSCRIPTIONS
Ordinary members shall pay an annual subscription to defray the costs of running the Club.
a) The amount of the annual subscription shall e determined at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the Treasurers recommendations based on the current financial commitments and the previous years spending shall be taken into consideration.
b) The annual subscription shall become payable at the date or the AGM and shall cover membership from 1st January to 31st December.
c) New membership shall be subject to a joining fee determined at the AGM.
d) Membership not renewed by 31st
January shall be deemed to have lapsed
and renewals after that date shall be classed as new members and subject
to the joining fee and maybe placed on the waiting list.
e) New members who are not existing members shall be required to join the B.M.F.A. through the club via the club B.M.F.A. representative. On payment of the B.M.F.A. fee, the representative will issue the requisite B.M.F.A. Certificate of Insurance which is require by all members.
f) New membership applications shall be subject to approval by the Committee.
5. OFFICE BEARERS
The Office Bearers shall be :
Chairman.
Vice Chairman.
General Secretary.
Treasurer.
Event Secretary.
Safety Officer.
Jet Officer.
Training Officer.
If necessary two posts
may be held by one person. The Office Bearers will hold their posts for
a period of 12 months, shall be elected by the members at the Annual
General Meeting and shall be eligible for re-election for subsequent
periods of office.
6. COMMITTEE
The business of the club will be managed by a committee comprising the Office Bearers plus a further four members elected by the members at the AGM but may also be co-opted by the committee if required.
a) The committee shall be responsible for the production and maintenance of the Club flying and Safety Rules which will be binding on all members operating on any site being used officially by the Club. The Committee during their term of office may vary the "Flying Rules" at their discretion and may also "pass" Bye-Laws relating to other aspects of the Club activities.
b) A Quorum of any committee meeting shall consist of a majority of the Committee members including the co-opted members.
c) The Committee shall meet preferably at 2 monthly intervals but not less than 3 times per year.
d) All Committee Members shall automatically retire annually but shall be eligible for re-election.
7. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
a) An Annual General Meeting shall be held preferably not later than 1 month after the year-end (31st December) and a minimum 14 days written notice shall be given to members together with the Agenda. Members shall submit agenda items to the secretary 31st October.
b) The meeting shall consider the reports of the Office Bearers, elect Office Bearers and Committee Members for the ensuing year and discuss and vote on, where necessary, proposals on the agenda.
c) Each Ordinary member shall be entitled to one vote.
8. EXTRA ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING
a) Extra Ordinary Meetings (E.G.M.) may be called to deal with any emergencies or important matters arising that require action by the members.
b) An E.G.M. may be called by a minimum of 50% of the members or by a majority decision of the committee.
9. FINANCE
a) The Finance and Accounting shall be for 12 months from the 1st January but may be adjusted due to special conditions by a maximum of one month at the discretion of the Committee.
b) The Annual accounts shall be produced by the Treasurer and presented at the AGM for approval by the members.
c) The Funds of the Club shall be lodged in a Bank or Building Society Account approved by the Committee.
d) Cash or Cheques may be drawn from the Club's account on the signature of the Treasurer plus one other Office Bearer approved by the Committee.
10. CLUB RULES
Club flying and safety Rules are detailed on pages 5,6 &7 of the Handbook.
11. CLUB RECORDS
The Secretary thereto, shall keep copies of all club minutes, accounts, rules, correspondence etc., the constitution and amendments in a suitable file. The records shall be made available for inspection by members on request and shall be passed on to the incoming Secretary in the event of a change of office.
FLYING AND SAFETY RULES
INTRODUCTION
As an affiliated member of the British Model Flying Association (B.M.F.A.) it is the policy of the Nottingham Radio Control Society (N.R.C.S.) to accept and abide by the Safety Codes of Practice as detailed in the B.M.F.A. Members Handbook and it is a condition of membership of N.R.C.S. that members familiarise themselves with the contents and agree to abide by them.
Copies of the Handbook are freely available from the B.M.F.A. offices at Leicester and non-possession will not be accepted as a reason for ignorance of its contents.
In addition to the B.M.F.A. J.M.A. and G.T.B. Codes of Practice the following Local Rules applicable to Model Flying at Langar Airfield shall also apply and be observed as a condition of membership.
1. OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS.
1.1 Radio Controlled Fixed Wing Aircraft only are permitted to fly
at Langar Airfield.
1.2 Permitted Radio Frequencies: -
a) 35 MHz. FM. All odd & even channels.
b) 27 MHz. AM & FM solid colours only i.e. brown, red, orange, yellow, green & blue.
c) 459MHz. UHF. Standard recommended spots.
1.3 Channels 55-90 on 35MHz. Along with 27 & 459MHz. frequencies
are all allocated to fixed wing models.
1.4 All transmitters must display the correct channel identification pennant.
1.5 Members must never fly alone at Langar Airfield unless they hold an 'A' Certificate. Inexperienced pilots must be accompanied by an 'A', 'B', OR 'E' certificate holder.
It is advised that no-one (however experienced) flies alone.
2. SITE LAYOUT AND DISCIPLINE
2.1 Pits should be located as shown on the Flying Site Layout and all pilots must use the same pits area.
2.2 Cars are allowed past the pegboard for the purposes of unloading and loading models only and must be returned to the parking area immediately after unloading /loading has been completed.
2.3 A transmitter control 'Peg Board' must be placed at the head of the pits area and should remain in use for the duration of the flying session. This is located under the Club House.
2.4 The 'Peg' should be replaced with the member's membership card. If you do not have your membership card you will only be allowed to fly at the discretion of the Committee. (A suitable identifying card must be used in place of the club card.)
3 Flying Procedures
3.1 Full size aircraft operate daily from the Parachute School and may at times fly at low altitude over the main runway. The full size must always have priority and therefore when they are flying in the vicinity of the model flying area, lookouts should be employed to warn model pilots of their presence and also the presence of descending parachutists. An Air Horn is in the club hut for warning model aircraft pilots of these hazards.
3.2 Before leaving home to fly, check the frequency number of the crystals fitted to your radio equipment and ensure that the correct pennant corresponding to that frequency is securely attached to your transmitter.
3.3 On arrival at Langar, and when you are ready to fly, ascertain that your frequency is available by referring to the Peg Board. If it is available, remove the peg applicable to your channel, attach to your transmitter aerial and replace the peg with your membership card. (If a pegboard is unavailable, liase with other flyers to make sure agreement is reached to avoid frequency clashes).
3.4 Small models (under 7kgs) may be started in the pits but must be carried to the Pilots Box by the Pilot or helper. Alternatively models may be started at the 'Start up Box' at the head, top right of the pits in the designated area. The helper should restrain all models if they are too large to be carried until the pilot has reached the pilots box. Aerials must remain retracted until the pilot reaches the pilots box hence the reason for the all models being restrained by a helper.
3.5 All petrol powered models must be started in the start up /shut down area.
3.6 Taxiing models within the pits area IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN.
3.7 Use the agreed take off, flying and landing areas according to wind direction. (Refer to site layout plan on pages 13 & 14).ALWAYS FLY FROM THE PILOTS' BOX - THIS IS NOT NEGOTIABLE.
3.8 Always inform other pilots as to your intentions by calling 'Take-Off', 'Landing', 'Retrieving Model' etc. and ensure runway is clear before take off and landing.
3.9 Flying should take place in the 'General flying Area' as shown on the Site Layout Plan.
3.10 Flying is strictly forbidden in the 'NO- FLY ZONE' shown on the Site Layout Plan and also Low Flying, Aerobatics, take off and landing approaches over the road are also to be avoided. The presence of dwelling houses hidden in the copse South East of the runway should also be noted and flying over this area is strictly forbidden.
3.11 On completion of your flight, your model should be retrieved from the runway and after ensuring both transmitter and receiver are switched off, the peg should be returned to the peg board and your membership card retained.
3.12 In the event of a landing in the crops, avoid damage to the crops when retrieving the model.
4. GENERAL DISCIPLINE
4.1 Do not leave litter or debris on the flying field or in the crops.
4.2 Guests may fly at Langar only by way of invitation from a club member and then only for a maximum of four times per year. The inviting member will be personally responsible for ensuring that guests are aware of club rules and are fully insured.
4.3 Other airfield users and their interests and activities must be respected and special care should be taken when they are present within the operating area of model aircraft.
4.4 Members are responsible for ensuring at all times that they fly their models in a safe and responsible manner in accordance with these rules. Failure to do so could jeopardise the interests of the club and prejudice member's insurance. It is the responsibility of all members to encourage and uphold safe flying practices not only by themselves but also by fellow members.
4.5 Membership of N.R.C.S. is conditional upon members agreeing to and abiding by these rules.
4.6 Mobile phones.
The use of mobile phones in the pits, start up/shutdown or pilots flying
boxes is strictly forbidden. They must be switched off or left in your
parked car. If is also highly recommended that you do not place a mobile
phone near a transmitter at any time as changes may be made to your
settings without your knowledge.
5. JET AIRCRAFT
5.1 this rule removed by order of committee.
5.2 Any member who wishes to fly turbine powered model must have a minimum of a B.M.F.A. 'B Certificate', the LMA test is not sufficient.
5.3 All new turbine models will need to be scrutinised by the Jet Officer
or by 2 committee members. ( see page 12)
5.4 The Jet Officer or at least
two committee members must witness the first flight of any new Jet model.
5.5 Jet Models must be fuelled up in the start up/shut down area. All Primary fuel containers should then be removed from the start up/shut down area to a safe distance before starting of any aircraft is attempted. No Flammable substances are to be left in the start up/shut down area.
5.6 All Turbine-powered aircraft whose engines are being started/shut down will be positioned such that the jet piped will exhaust over hardened surfaces and must only be operated in the designated area.
5.7 No Naked lights/ flames are permitted in the fuelling, start up and shut down area.
5.8 FIRE PERSON
During fuelling up, start up, flying and shut down, a fully briefed person will be in attendance with a CO2 (recommended) fire extinguisher. The fire person is to be with the pilot at all time whilst ever the model is under the control of the pilot. He/she must take the extinguisher to the pilots box. The fire person can also be the pilot's caller or an additional person maybe deployed if required. They must be fully aware and capable of shutting down the turbine with the transmitter and within the model itself.
5.9 When the motor is running, the model should be carried or restrained by the helper until it has reached the flight line and the pilot has taken his/her position in the pilots box. The model should also be carried/ restrained after landing for the return to the start up/ shut down area for the engine to be shut down. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD THE MODEL BE TAXIED OUT OF THE PITS UNDER ITS OWN POWER. The pilot, fire person and caller must be in the pilots box before take off.
5.10 This rule has been removed by order of the Committee.
5.11 FAIL SAFE
Gas Turbine models should be fitted with a reliable fail safe that is operational (at the very least) on the throttle channel. This should retard the turbine to a maximum of idle power and/or stop the turbine regardless of the other functions of the failsafe and especially not to hold the position of the engine/motor control.
5.12 Radio equipment must be suitable for the safe operation of the model and your own common sense should prevail on suitable servos etc.
5.13 You should be aware of the activities on the airfield and pay particular attention to the parachutists.
5.14 At certain times of the year it will be prohibited to fly turbines due the high risk of fire that will be occur due to the crops being ready for harvest.
5.15 The above rules, where applicable, will also apply to petrol powered and models above 7 kilos.
6. DISCPLINARY PROCEDURES
6.1 Failure to comply with these rules will lead to the following procedures being invoked.
6.2 First breach of rules: A verbal warning will be given by a committee member.
6.3 Second breach of rules: A written warning from the committee will be sent
6.4 Third breach of rules: Termination of club membership
6.5 In the event of a deliberate breach of the rules and refusal to comply at the time of a verbal warning, termination of club membership will apply with out further warning.
FLYING SITE LAYOUT
The areas available for model flying at Langar Airfield offers potential for even the most advanced Radio Control Model Aircraft.
However there are certain limitations.
1. The adjacent road will restrict long drawn out manoeuvres to the southern end of the runway.
2. The perimeter track is an access route for other legitimate airfield users.
3. Full size aircraft and parachutists may at times be using the same air space as the model aircraft.
PITS, CAR PARK AND PILOTS LOCATIONS
The site layout shown has been arranged to comply with the guidelines detailed in the B.M.F.A. handbook and to provide a safe and easy to police environment. The layout is based on example 3 shown on page 11 of the handbook.
The layout provides for single positions only for the pits and car parking thus avoiding conflicting opinions in the event of various wind directions. Similarly there is a
Single position for the Pilots Flying Box on the western side of the runway although this maybe adjusted north
only to suit prevailing wind direction.
The area between the Pilots Flying Box, car park, perimeter track, the road and the fields to the south is strictly NO FLY ZONE.
This arrangement will ensure that no flying takes place over the pits, cars and the road.
It will also mean that in Southerly, South Westerly and South Easterly wind directions, pilots will need to carry out left hand take off turns and approaches. Also, in the event of due Easterly or westerly wind directions, some pilots/models may find difficulty in take offs and landings. It is hoped that this will be an infrequent occurrence.
6.6
SCRUTINEERING
Notes to scrutineers
Whilst scrutineering, a practical approach to the perceived airworthiness of the model should be adopted. The aim is not to 'pick the model to pieces' or pull on a part of the model so hard (i.e. at loads well in access of flying loads) that it comes off in ones hand! It is worth noting that a model does not have to be a concours example to be safe or on the other hand the fact that a model might be all 'new and shiny', does not mean that it will meet the requirements. A practical balance approach is required. Safety is the issue and in your opinion and as far as you can ascertain, is the model fit and safe to fly at Langar. If required offer help and advice, be prepared to listen and consider the pilots view or explanation - remember there is always 'more than one way to skin a cat'.
Safety is the issue
Notes to Pilots
It is the pilot's responsibility to ensure the model is airworthy. Scrutineering should be seen as a confirmation or aid to help you ensure the above. The Scrutineer is not there to criticise you as a builder/pilot, but merely to help in the assessment of the airworthiness of your model. Take his/her input constructively - pilots are actively encouraged to treat the scrutineering process as a second pair of eyes. (It may be the scrutineer spots something the pilot may have overlooked) which, let us face it, is easily done) particularly if it is the models first outing. The system is in place to help you, for the safety of those at Langar and to help us to retain the site.
Safety is the primary issue!
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Chairman/Training Officer. Bob Thompson 01158 469284
Vice Chairman. Alistair Macartney 01159 599399
Club Secretary. David Page 01949 875751
Treasurer. Barry Bennett 01159 520812
Events Officer. Kevin Belcher 01162 609307
Safety Officer. Glenn Masters 07791837914
Jet Officer. George Bradley 01159 234625
CO-OPTED COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Members Representative. Mick Wilson 01949 839065
B.M.F.A Liaison Officer. Pete Livermore 01158 776980
Webmaster. Bob Thompson
langar.flyin@ntlworld.com
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