Training and Safe Flying

Index

Introduction

Flying Field Etiquette

• Parking
• Dogs
• Litter
• Access Gates
• Toilets
• No Flying Times
• Spectators
• Club Hut

Flying At The Site

• Requirements For Flying
• Transmitter Control
• Model Pound/ Pits Area

Introduction

We plan to make these pages of the site into a training manual of sorts, covering all aspects of safe model flying and building. It will hopefully be an easy-to-read foundation course to give newcomers to the hobby a grasp of what is involved (and perhaps help iron out a few bad habits in the more experienced). It is not, however, intended to replace tuition from the clubs instructors, nor replace the SAA safety guidelines.

Clyde Valley Flyers are keen to assist new and experienced members to develop their flying skills. We have many experienced modellers who are more than willing to share their knowledge and skills with no costs involved. And in time the club would be delighted if you wanted to assist in teaching the less able when you are proficient enough to do so.

Flying model aircraft can be one of the most rewarding experiences you are likely to engage in, but unfortunately it can also be one of the most dangerous. Even a small I.C. or electric powered aircraft can and will inflict some very serious damage if not treated with the respect it deserves. If you are in any doubt about how dangerous model flying can be check out these links for some food for thought:

Where does the prop go? (windows media video 1.36mb)

How about this happening in a crowd

And more food for thought

BBC news report

Flying model planes is most enjoyable, but you must remember that you are in control of a very dangerous piece of equipment not a toy! With this in mind, members of Clyde Valley Flyers must achieve the SAA Bronze Safety Standard before flying solo.

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Flying Field Etiquette

When using the flying field you should respect the rules of the site, these are for your safety as well as others using the site and respect for our landlord. If you invite anyone to the site you should ensure that your guest(s) are aware of the rules and that they behave in an appropriate manner.

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Parking:

The car park is at the foot of the hill before you cross the bridge (site plan opens in new window), there is also limited parking space at the side of the containers on the graveled area. You should not park anywhere else on the site including on the grass to the sides of the access road to the field.

The graveled area adjacent to the pits is a drop off/ pick up point only, once you have unloaded/ loaded you should return your your vehicle to the car park. There is only space for 3 or 4 cars at the most at the drop off point and it quickly becomes congested if the site gets moderately busy.

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Dogs:

Our landlord has not objected to dogs being brought onto the site despite this being within his rights, it has been stipulated that any dogs brought onto the site MUST be kept on a leash at ALL times. With the site being on pasture with livestock often present this is obviously a reasonable request which should be complied with.

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Litter:

Please do not leave any litter or rubbish anywhere on the site, there is a small bin in the engine startup area, a brazier next to the patio at the club hut and a bin inside the club hut for you to dispose your litter or please take it with you when you leave and dispose of it at home.

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Access Gates:

The gate at the main entrance from the B788 road should be kept closed at all times, the gate on the bridge and the one next to the club hut should be closed by the last person leaving the site to prevent any livestock escaping.

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Toilets:

Toilets are available for your use except in the winter months. They are located near the chalets over the cattle grid at the far end of the car park, walk over the small footbridge and the toilet block is in front of you.

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No Flying times:

There are times when flying is not permitted on the site due to the shooting season, these no fly times will be posted on the notice board in the club hut and on the calendar accessible from the forum home page menu.

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Spectators:

Non flying visitors should not enter the roped off engine startup area or runway, there are chairs on the paved area next to the drop off point if seating is required.

It is especially important that children visiting the site are supervised by an adult and not allowed to wonder into the engine startup area or areas adjacent to the runway, although all pilots should be looking out for possible danger they are not responsible for your child's safety. You should ensure that your any child in your care takes care around models parked in the pits or being transported to or from the the site, accidents can and will happen and a child running around the site tripping and falling on a model could be a very costly affair with some models coming in at £2000+ a time!

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Club Hut:

The club hut has facilities for making hot drinks, please leave the club hut in a clean and tidy state after using it.

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Flying at the site

We have strict rules on flying at the site, primarily to ensure the safety of everyone using the site. This section of the training page will outline the safe procedures which you should follow including engine starting, transmitter control, flight patterns, landing and takeoff etc. This section details the clubs safe flying practices, not instruction on these practices which will be covered elsewhere.

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Requirements for flying:

In order to fly solo at our site the pilot must have attained the SAA Bronze Safety Standard or recognised equivalent and have current insurance cover for 3rd party liability. Membership of Clyde Valley Flyers includes insurance cover from the SAA, you should bring with you your SAA membership card or insurance cover note every time you intend to fly at the site as you may be asked to prove you have insurance cover.

Visitors to the site who wish to fly must also meet the above requirements, in addition visitors should be accompanied by a responsible member of Clyde Valley Flyers who should ensure the visitor is aware of the clubs rules especially with regard to safety. The visitors first flight at the site should also be supervised by the accompanying member to ensure they are a competent pilot and follow the safe flight procedures.

Anyone who has not attained the SAA Bronze Safety Standard (or equivalent) is not permitted to fly at the site without supervision from a responsible member with a minimum of SAA Bronze. Trainees also require insurance to fly which is included with membership of the club. We have instructors who are more than happy to supervise and instruct newcomers to the hobby free of charge and hopefully get you through the SAA Bronze Safety Standard as soon as your ability allows.

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Transmitter control

Transmitters should NOT be turned on until checked in with transmitter control.

We operate a peg on peg off transmitter control, before turning on your transmitter you should obtain the peg for your frequency from the peg board and leave your SAA membership card (or other form of identification) in the vacated slot on the pegboard. The peg should be attached to your transmitter (aerial) in a position that is clearly visible to other pilots. As soon as you have finished your flight and no longer require the use of the frequency you should ensure the transmitter is turned off then return the peg to TX control and remove your card to allow anyone else with the same frequency to fly.

You should also check if anyone else is using the channel either side of yours before turning on your transmitter as it is possible to cause interference to adjacent channels. If there is someone using an adjacent channel you should wait until they have landed and check with them to see if any crossover interference is present, both to their equipment as well as to your own, and if any interference is present you should both agree not to fly at the same time or one of you should change frequency.

When checking for interference you should be aware that cross channel interference may well be much worse with the aerial retracted, the reason for this is that the transmitter output transistors are 'tuned' to the length of the aerial when extended - SWR or standing wave ratio - with the aerial retracted the SWR is going to be well out of its operating level and can cause interference problems due to RF power being reflected back down the aerial to the transmitter circuits.

If the interference is only present with the aerial retracted you may be able to stop the interference by simply not fully retracting the aerial while the transmitter is turned on, although it would be strongly preferential to change frequency to eliminate it altogether if this is at all possible.

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Model pound/ pits area

On arrival at the site you should unload your model from your vehicle and place it in the pits area (site plan opens in new window) then take your vehicle to the car park.

Transmitters should NOT be turned on until you have checked in your transmitter with TX Control

The pits/ model pound area is where you can make adjustments or repairs to your model, or assemble it for flight, re-fuel, or stand around for a blether. Engines of ANY kind should not be started in the pits under any circumstance.

When you are ready to fly you should carry or push your model to the engine startup area. After flying, you should return the model to the pits unless you intend to re-start the engine straight away.

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