RIVER CITY RADIO CONTROLLERS SAFETY RULES

Updated:  July 31, 2024

 

GENERAL SAFETY AND FIELD OPERATIONS

Note: Failure to comply with the Safety Rules could result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the Club.

Flying Field Hours: The field is open from dawn to 10:00 pm. Electric-powered and non-combustion powered aircraft can be operated from dawn to dusk. Fuel (glow and gas) aircraft are not permitted before 10:00 am and must cease at dusk. The exception is, club approved events.

Flying Boundaries: All pilots and guest pilots must have a thorough understanding and comply with the boundaries of our flying site. Violations of these boundaries can result in the loss of our flying site. The boundaries are posted at the field and attached below.

AMA & RCRC Membership: All pilots must be current members of AMA and be a current member RCRC. The exception is guests and special events. All pilots must display their AMA cards with a current RCRC sticker on their person for verification (even if not flying, card must be displayed if the pilot is inside the fence). Pilots using 72 MHz and HAM must also display a frequency pin.

Plane Markings: All planes must be marked on the exterior with the pilot’s FAA #. AMA # can be marked internally or externally. Name and contact information are optional, but could aid in returning a lost plane to the owner.

Guest Pilots: Guests of a RCRC member must have a current AMA card, proof of Trust certification, proper plane markings as described above, and be supervised by that RCRC member. While they are at the airfield and must sign the parks waiver of liability which should be placed in the shelter cabinet. Guest will be limited to flying a maximum of three times per year. After that, the guest will be required to join RCRC.

Starting Aircraft in Pits: All aircraft (gas and nitro) 10cc or greater must be in an approved starting location as shown on the field maps below and be secured and be pointed towards the runway when starting. Do not accelerate engines beyond a fast idle until you are positioned behind the airplane and it is properly secured. Taxiing from an approved starting location to the runway is permitted but must be done cautiously. Do not stand directly in front of or to the side of a spinning propeller. Any aircraft smaller than 10cc can be started on the tables but must not accelerate engines beyond a fast idle. Additionally, tables must be cleaned thoroughly of any residue before the pilot leaves the field.

Engine Tuning: When tuning an engine or breaking in an engine, use the starting location as shown on the field maps below at the far south end of the pits so as to not disturb other pilots.

Turbine Powered Aircraft: Turbine-powered aircraft are not permitted. Exceptions must be approved by a 2/3 majority vote of the Board.

Pilot Safety: Do not talk to other pilots or otherwise distract them when they are in the process of starting an engine. Do not wear loose clothing, transmitter neck straps, or things in pockets which could get caught or fall into a turning propeller. Make sure that you have the skills required for the safe operation of the type of aircraft you are about to fly. If you need help, please ask a more experienced pilot.

Pit and Flight Areas: The only persons permitted in the pit area during flying are those holding a current AMA and RCRC club membership. The exception is guest pilots as stated above, club-sponsored events, and guest spectators as stated below.

Guest Spectators: All spectators must remain behind the fence. The only exception are family members and guests of pilots, who may enter the pits, but must stay with the member at all times.

Grass Cutting: No flying will be permitted when the grass is being cut inside of the fence.

Pets: All pets must be kept on a leash and remain behind the fence. All other park rules regarding pets must also be observed.

Smoking/Vaping: No smoking/vaping is permitted inside the fence area, including in and around the pavilion.

Alcoholic Beverages: No alcoholic beverages are permitted at the field or in the park area at any time.

Junior Members (under 18) must have a legal guardian present at the field while junior member is flying. No drop-offs.

FLYING SAFETY

Flying Direction: The general flying direction is a rectangular or oval pattern determined by the direction of the wind. With wind direction coming from the left, the pattern will be to take off to the left and make right turns. With wind direction coming from the right, the pattern will be to take off to the right and make left turns. Check with other pilots if unsure of direction. Do not fly over the pit area or any closer to flight stations than the paved runway.

3D Flying: Members wanting to fly 3D when others are flying a regular pattern, must request approval from all pilots with planes currently in the air. Likewise, when all pilots are flying 3D and a pilot wants to begin flying the pattern, they must request approval from the pilot(s) currently flying 3D. Be respectful - avoid multiple overlapping flying sessions which may dominate a particular flying style.

Combat Sessions: Are permitted when all regular flying has ceased and all participating pilots acknowledge they are ready.

Take-off and Landing Procedures: Always communicate to other pilots by stating your intention, in a voice loud enough to be heard by all pilots, for take-off and first check if it is clear and not before communicating to other pilots. Once landed, taxi off the runway as quickly as possible and let other pilots know when the runway is clear. Do not take off or land in the grass between the flight stations and the runway. All grass take-offs and landings must be done on the grass runway on the far side of the paved runway.

Emergency Flight Procedures: In the case of an emergency such as dead stick, crash or loss of control, let other pilots know of the situation by calling a “Emergency” in a voice loud enough to be heard by all pilots, immediately. Dead stick landings have priority over other flight operations.

Crossing the Runway: In case you need to cross the paved runway, first make sure it is safe with no planes in the flight path. Then communicate in a voice loud enough to be heard by all pilots, that you need to cross the runway. Before you cross, get confirmation from other pilots that it is OK to cross. Pilots needing to land have priority. Notify all pilots when you have safely crossed back over the paved runway.

Engine Cut-Off: Engines must be cut off in front of the flight stations when taxiing in from the runway. Do not run engines past the flight stations toward the pits.

Flight Stations: All pilots must operate behind one of the four flight stations. A maximum of four aircraft may be airborne at one time. The only exception to this is during club approved events. Gliders may be flown from a seated position in front of the pavilion, but not closer to the runway than the flight stations.

Helicopter, Multi-rotor: Flying must be contained within the helicopter area and may not cross the runway. The exception is when flying helicopters and multi-rotor aircraft in the fixed wing flight pattern from one of the four flight stations.

First Person View Flying: FPV pilots must use a spotter at all times. Both the pilot and spotter must be AMA and RCRC members and be familiar with operations, requirements and limitations of FPV flying according to AMA guidelines. The FPV spotter must have visual line of sight (VLOS) to the aircraft at all times.

Use of Spotter: Use of a spotter is recommended when flying is busy, especially when there are three or more aircraft in the air at the same time.

Maiden/Re-Maiden Flights: Pilots conducting maiden flights or corrective flights may request clear air space for test flights. The pilot may have to wait until all aircraft have landed.

Flying in an unsafe manner: Any member, observing another member, flying in a manner that is unsafe to other pilots, park guest, wildlife or property, shall immediately advise the offending member to stop the action of concern. Failure to stop the action and/or at the request of the reporting member, a Grievance Form will be made available, to report the incident to the Safety Committee.

 

Field Maps

 

Off-line Grievance Form