Rules and Guidelines
General
These general rules and guidelines are in addition to the BMFA guidelines, and are applicable to both the slope and flat field sites used by the CSA. Rules for specific sites are noted. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THE CLUB IS DEDICATED TO SLOPE SOARING AND MEMBERS WHO WISH TO JOIN MUST BE “ACTIVE” SLOPE PILOTS, THOSE WHO WISH TO JOIN THE ASSOCIATION TO USE THE FLAT FIELD ONLY WILL BE REFUSED MEMBERSHIP.
CSA members must have BMFA insurance and follow the BMFA Safety Code. Article 137/8 of the Air Navigation Order issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (and a legal requirement) states: “A person shall not recklessly or negligently cause or permit an aircraft to endanger any person or property.”
Any member should act immediately in the event of any infringement of CSA or BMFA rules being brought to his attention by is you must admit liability a Committee member of the CSA.
Accidents in our sports are very rare, but familiarise yourself with the correct procedure as laid out in the BMFA handbook. A major point (as in all insurance claims) is that you must not admit liability.
Follow the country Code at all times. Take all litter (including “crash and burns” home with you. After an accident it is essential we collect all toxic and harmfull material, this includes carbon,glass fibre, and batteries.
Sites
With some wind directions on Llantysilio Mountain it is possible to fly from more than one site. Before flying, members should check that there are no other flyers operating on alternative sites.
Much of our flying is carried out in areas where the general public has right of access. They will be unfamiliar with all aspects of model flying and their interests must be considered. In the case of a potential accident with any person or property, the model must be sacrificed.
Llangollen Site – Use of this site is shared with the North Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club. Whenever hang gliders are present, liason must take place between them and members of the CSA committee to ensure there is no conflict of interest and to ensure safe operation. Whenever hang gliders are operating, it is recommended that model flying takes place in the adjacent field. Priority in use of airspace must always be given to the hand gliders. The site is on private land and only members of the CSA are permitted to fly there. The landowner will police this so CSA members should carry there membership cards at all times. Cars must be parked with all wheels off the road on the grass verge.
Flat field site – there is a road to the west of this site and a cemetery to the north. Models must not be flown at low level over the road or cemetery.
Cars should be parked in the designated parking area.
NO IC powered models are allowed unless they are equipped and used for aerotowing.
Electric models that are “noisy” should also be avoided.
The gate should be kept closed when the field is in use, and only club members and authorised guests vehicles are allowed on site.
Out of consideration to our neighbours, we must always fly in front of the flight line, towards Llay. In particular this applies to fpv models. Do not take pictures of our neighbour’s land to the South of our field.
Guests
Members who want to invite a guest should clear this with a committee member first.
The CSA welcomes guests up to twice a year, but if they wish to continue to enjoy the facilities offered by the CSA, they are expected to become a member. A contribution to CSA funds (£2 each guest per day) would be welcome, to be collected by the member responsible for the guest and forwarded to the Treasurer.
Guests must be prepared to demonstrate their ability to fly safely. They must be fully paid up members of the BMFA and must carry documentation to prove this at all time of their visit.
Newcomers who want to experience the joys of soaring are always welcome to join us for a trial under the guidance of an experienced CSA member. Should they wish to continue with further sessions, they must join the club and become full members of the BMFA. All training must be done with the aid of a “buddy box” system.
Area control
Car Parking – Alll cars should be grouped together in the designated parking area.
Pits Area – This is the area where models are parked between flights.
Flight line – This is an area where the group will stand when their models are in the air.
Launch Point – This is an area where the models is launched (this may be the same as the flight line.)
Landing Area – This is an area where it is planned to the land model.
The first member on the site determines the areas. These can be redefined at any time by joint consultation with other flyers.
General flying
Generally a pilot will take off from the Launch Point then step back to the Flight Line as soon as his model has reached a safe height.
Before going to Launch Point the pilot should announce his intentions to the people on the Flight Line. The launcher must shout as he is about to launch eg (“Launching to the left or to the right”). Aircraft should not take off or land over a public highway. Aircraft should not be flown to the rear of the Flight Line unless the pilot has announced this to the people around in order that they make a visual check and advise any reason why this manoeuvre should not be carried out.
“Buzzing” of any person, vehicles, or livestock, is BANNED.
Aerobatics should not be performed with a model directly approaching the Flight Line unless the model is at a reasonable distance.
The style of flying known as combat flying is BANNED from all the sites in use by the club and under NO circumstances should any one manoeuvre with the intention to make a model come in to contact with, or effect the flying of, another model.
When attempting to land a pilot should announce this (eg Landing left or right depending on the landing area for that day) to the people around who should then give visual assistance to him, if possible.
In the case of a cross country attempt the above rules may be varied. The pilot carrying out a cross country attempt should notify all others about his intentions and make sure that his frequency peg remains in place.
Due to the nature of the terrain, pilots attempting cross country flights must be accompanied.
Engines
Slope – Electric powered gliders are permitted when the use of the power is solely as a means of gaining height as part of a soaring flight. Models designed to fly normally under electric power are not allowed on the slope.
Frequency Control
The club uses a pegboard peg-on system to regulate the use of frequency channels.
Although frequency control is unnecessary for the 2.4GHz band, users should have a peg stating their name and that they are flying on the 2.4 GHz band.
The first person on site should set up the peg board to be used. It is recommended that all flyers have a peg board for this purpose.
The pegboard is normally situated in the Pits Area.
Before switching on a transmitter, a peg showing the members name and frequency being used must be clipped on the pegboard against the particular frequency.
If a peg is already occupying the number on the frequency board, the transmitter MUST NOT BE SWITCHED ON. NEVER remove from the pegboard the peg of another person. It is courteous to remove your peg from the board as soon as you have finished flying. It is recommended that you carry a frequency pennant on your transmitter if flying on 35MHz. Only operate your transmitter if you are sure that another flyer is not using the same frequency. It is your responsibility to check the peg board before you switch on.
Caring for Junior Members and Vulnerable Adults
Consult the BMFA handbook for guidance on the subject.
And Finally…
Please remember the Country Code, fly safely at some of the most beautiful soaring sites in the country and have many happy landings.