Club Rules

The purpose of our club rules are to insure that the Valley Radio Control Model Club members, their families and guests may safely enjoy the use of our club facilities, without compromising the privacy and safety of our neighbours. The wilful violation of these rules will result in the suspension and/or the cancellation of ones' membership to the club. If in any doubt rather than to jeopardize the safety of others - direct your plane into the ground, away from others and the no-fly zones.

Valley Radio Control Model Club membership including SAMAA membership is compulsory before any member is allowed to fly.
No one shall fly or be in the pit area if under the influence of alcohol. The use of non-prescription controlled substances on the club property is STRICTLY prohibited.
All transmitters must be switched off and antennas in when not in use.
A frequency may not be used for more than 20 minutes at a time. This is to allow others on the same frequency the opportunity to fly. This time is determined from the moment you place your peg on the frequency board until the time you remove it again, regardless of whether you flew or not.
No flying over or behind the flight line. Models returning to the pit area must end their taxi at the flight line.
No noisy engines are allowed to be operated at the field. A DB meter will be arranged for testing purposes if an engine is thought to be noisy.
Fire extinguishers are compulsory when using petrol or jet engines.
Running engines in the pit area must ALWAYS have their propellers pointed towards the water.
The line of flight and direction of pattern will be determined by the wind direction and members already present at the field.
Pilots, while flying, will stand at the provided flight line.
All new, repaired or altered models must undergo a safety inspection before flight by a club instructor or other competent pilot. Test flying of these models will begin and end at the center of the runway.
All pilots shall secure the assistance of a more advanced flyer when attempting to fly a model that stretches the limit of their ability.
It is the responsibility of ALL MEMBERS to stop the flight of unsafe models or pilots and to enforce all the above rules.
Spectators are not permitted in the pit area or on the flying field unless accompanied by a club member.
When more than one model is in the air at the same time, try to go with the general flying pattern. You will still have lots of room for your style of flying. Going with the flow lessens the stress for everybody and reduces the chances of mid-air collisions.
Courtesy will be shown to all pilots, especially new members. Allow them the air space they may require.
Make sure the runway is clear before you start your takeoff and landing procedures.
Announce when you experience radio or model problems and don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it.
Flyers shall warn bystanders not to stand inline with rotating propellers.
Do not fly in any manner that could be hazardous to anyone at the field.
Avoid low altitude passes and close aerobatics when the field is congested.
A maximum of 5 models are allowed to be airborne at the same time.
Members are responsible for the safety of children and guests they bring to the field.
If you see a safety rule violation - do the person a favour and mention it to them, this could prevent a serious injury.
No member or guest will be allowed to fly as an instructor with any member of guest, until he/she has been qualified as a club or SAMAA instructor.
Dead stick landings have priority over ALL other traffic.
Prolonged engine operation is not allowed in the pit area.
Models with obvious defects or problems should not be flown until fully airworthy.
All crash debris must be thoroughly removed from the crash site.
When landing, call out "LANDING" to alert other flyers of your intensions. When your model has cleared the runway, call out "RUNWAY CLEAR" or "CLEAR" to let other flyers know that it is safe for them to land their models.
Let other flyers know of your intensions. If your model is on the runway and you must retrieve it, call out "ON THE RUNWAY". After you've retrieved your aircraft and you're off the runway, call out "RUNWAY CLEAR" or "CLEAR". Remember to clear the runway as soon as possible.
All flyers shall comply with the directions of any field marshall of club officer. If in doubt, comply first and then discuss the matter calmly afterwards.
If you cause a model to be damaged or destroyed, you must make satisfactory restitution to the owner.
Lifejackets must be worn at all times by anyone using a craft on the water.
No taking off is permitted from the taxiway.
Hovering in the flight path is prohibited unless you are the only pilot on the line.
Low flying electric models (foamies) are prohibited over the runway when other models are flying in the conventional flight pattern. Electric models flying normal circuits are fine.
No hovering of helicopters over the runway or next to the flight line where pilots are standing. Helicopters can fly circuits with other models and some hovering is allowed over the runway when "LANDING" is called.
Float models taking off from the water must stay over the water. Communication is required before commencing any float model flying as 2 flight lines and 2 overlapping flight paths will be present. This means that flying of float models from a water start and flying of conventional models from the grass runway start will take place concurrently.

FLYING PROCEDURE CHECKLIST:

Be sure that all transmitters are turned off and in a safe place when not in use.
Place the rest of your model equipment in the pit area.
Prepare your model for flight.
Have a new model safety checked by an instructor or other competent pilot. If OK - fuel up.
New members must make arrangements with a flight instructor before proceeding further.
Check the peg board and participants at the field for availability of your frequency.
When your frequency is available, put your membership card on your frequency slot.
Always turn your transmitter on first and then your model.
Range-check your transmitter everyday before flying.
Start your engine and operate the controls at idle and then at full throttle to check for any glitches or excess vibration.
Move your model bodily by carrying or pushing it out of the pit area towards the flight line.
Move into the designated pilot area, taxi your model to the middle of the runway and take off into the prevailing wind direction.
Fly your model in a safe manner, away from the flight line, pit area, parking area and other designated no-fly areas that may be posted. Land in the proper direction as decided by the pilots present at the time.
Total peg-on time is 20 minutes, whether you fly or not. Notice we say peg-on and not flight-time. Please do not abuse this rule.
At the end of your flight - stop your engine, turn off your model and then your transmitter.
Return your transmitter to your transmitter case and remove your peg from the frequency board. A normal rule of etiquette is to leave your frequency open for at least 15 minutes to allow other people to fly on the same frequency.
When done with your flying for the day - remove all your equipment from the pit area and make sure your transmitter remains off.

SAFETY IS NO ACCIDENT!!!

The aforementioned rules are a minimum to promote safety. Maximum safety can only occur if we go beyond the mechanical functions to the basis of safety, courtesy and patience. Only by displaying both of these virtues can the most possible control of a situation be realized. Most accidents happen when discourtesy or impatience is allowed to assume control of one's emotions, creating hurried actions that result in errors in judgement. Noise is going to be of a concern to some neighbours as long as it exists. We should always be aware of the potential loss of our flying field due to errors in judgement by any member. We must not just live up to the "letter of the law", but also go beyond it and try to meet the spirit by reducing noise through use of the best available muffling devices and flying techniques.

Let's all preserve our flying field...