Safety Comes First!
Please follow our safety guidelines and rules below in order to have a fun, enjoyable and safe experience.
Site Position
1: Access to site when using vehicle (shown in light blue) and flying should always take place in the same area of the field as shown on the site map given below
2: This is either on the 9 a side football field outlined in pink on the site map below or as per outlined in red on the site map below
3: The only permitted deviation from this area is when it would not be safe to fly here due to a match taking place or other activity in the vicinity
4: All members share safety officer responsibilities when at field and therefore, in accordance with BMFA regulations, should decide location, runway to use on the day based on wind conditions, activities on field bearing in mind aircraft must not fly within
150 meters of gatherings or buildings
5: Flight line to be located parallel to and 10 meters from runway chosen
6: Pitts area to be located parallel to and 30 meters from runway chosen and NOT directly behind the flight line
7: Pits area should NEVER extend behind the pilots’ box
8: Anyone approaching from the rugby club side should wait clear of flying area until seen as safe or received clear signal from spotters or pilots to indicate that it is safe to cross to the pits
Area's to fly (subject to wind)
1: When using Runway 1 – Stay within field boundary and follow light green boundary no fly zone
2: When using Runway 2 – Stay within field boundary and follow orange and light green boundary no fly zones Runway 2
3: Driving on (whilst we still can) – Follow blue line routes and do not drive over any marked football/rugby fields
4: HEMAC allotted site by GLL marked in Red (L shape runways)
5: Also can use the 9 a side football pitch marked in pink. (No fly zones still apply as above)
Safety Rules
1: All aircraft in the pits area should face the chosen runway and should NEVER be aligned behind the pilots’ box
2: All models must be adequately restrained before engine starting, I.C. models MUST be mechanically restrained
3: All aircraft must have a functioning fail-safe (system allowing) or will NOT be allowed to fly. Pilots may be asked to demonstrate the function
4: All I.C. models must have engine cut switch
5: Pilots entering or leaving the flight line must make their intentions clear by calling to others, ‘going out‘
6: Aircraft should NOT be carried through the pilots’ box to access the runway
7: Aircraft should NOT be taxied behind the pilots’ box either to or from the pits
8: Pilots should always stand in the pilots’ box when flying
9: ONLY pilots and one spotter will be permitted in the pilots’ box
10: Take-off run should be into wind starting in front or up wind of the pilots’ box and NEVER across it
11: Pilots are discouraged from standing in the runway during take-off ( unless hand launching ) and should be in or near to the pilots’ box before commencing the take-off run
12: Only 6 aircraft are permitted in the air at any one time – maximum 4 I.C. models and 2 electrics
13: Aircraft must NEVER be flown over or behind the pilots’ box adhering to no fly zones outlined on site map above
14: Pilots must clearly call ‘taking off’, ‘landing’, ‘dead stick’ or ‘lost control’ when appropriate
15: At NO time should an aircraft be flown over or within 150 meters of the leisure centre or Broughton Park Rugby Club buildings and Police Equestrian/Dog centre
16: Puffed / inflated LiPo batteries should NOT be used, they are a fire hazard. Batteries may be inspected and pilots advised not to use them if deemed unsafe
17: It is member’s responsibility to conduct a safety check (including check of fail safe) on their aircraft prior to flying
18: Pilots not taking safety checks of their equipment/aircraft and flying without due care and consideration in respect club fly zones and safety to members/public will be subject to club sanctions
19: If experienced members consider an aircraft unsafe the pilot will not be permitted to fly that aircraft until the problem is rectified (In the event of a dispute a committee member will adjudicate the problem)
20: If in the opinions of experienced members and either a committee member or Instructor a pilot is deemed unsafe to fly the pilot will not be permitted to fly that session
Incidents/Occurrences At Field
1: All pilots are asked to familiarise themselves with and follow “Mandatory Occurrence Reporting” in accordance with BMFA/CAA procedures outlined in the 2023 BMFA handbook pages 57-59
2: All pilots, in event of an incident to report to a club committee member and complete a club crash report with as much information/pictures about the incident as possible along with any intentions to repair the model. It would also be helpful if any incidents at all were reported even if they did not result in a crash. Crashed models must be inspected by an experienced club member before being allowed to fly again after repair
Club Etiquette
Please ensure when intending to fly at the field, you post your arrival time and for how long within the HEMAC WhatsApp group (if you do not have smart phone, please ask a companion or another member with a smart phone to post) so that others have the opportunity to join you and fly (especially if you are a member with the privilege of having keys for access).
Please remember it is club policy, in view health and safety, that we do no fly alone at the field at any time