Field Rules Golden Rules Preflight Checklist *Bi-Laws
UPDATED: May 10, 2007
Pit area:
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All transmitters will be impounded inside the shed. ENSURE POWER SWITCH IS OFF!!! |
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Before flight, select pin from frequency board. Leave either a current AMA, SFA, or Sonoran Desert Flyers card if a member. |
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Under no circumstances should you have a transmitter in hand without a frequency pin. |
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When done flying, return transmitter to shed and replace the frequency pin on the board. CHECK POWER SWITCH OFF!!! |
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Allow 15 minutes between each flight to allow others to fly before getting pin for another flight. |
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Use a deadman or a qualified helper to hold aircraft while starting. Unassisted engine starts are not allowed in pit area. |
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Aircraft with engines larger than 1.08 cu. in. will be started in the openings of the safety net. |
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Keep propeller pointed toward the pit area during run-up to prevent excessive dust in the pits. |
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No taxiing in the pits. Lift aircraft and carry them to the runway through openings in the safety net. |
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If engine requires more than normal tuning for proper operation, i.e.; break in, troubleshooting etc., do this at the engine runup area located to the south of the shed. |
Flying area:
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Call takeoffs, landings, touch and goes, dead-sticks, and man on the field to others along the flightline. Let everyone know your intentions. |
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Do not fly over the pit area. |
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Up to six aircraft are allowed to fly at any given time. |
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Runway centerline is to be considered the safety line for aircraft in flight. Flight in area between safety net and the runway centerline is not permitted. |
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When flying in the traffic pattern, maintain left hand or right hand traffic as determined by existing wind conditions or club selection of the day. Exceptions are dead sticks in which pilots can use discretion to make a safe landing. |
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Upright, inverted, rolling and knife edge passes are permitted over runway centerline. |
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Loops, hammerheads, snaps, spins and other advanced maneuvers are not permitted over runway centerline. These will be performed over the far edge parallel to the runway. |
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IMAC and FAI turnaround pattern aerobatics are permitted and will be performed over the far edge parallel to the runway. Pilots have responsibility for maintaining separation from opposing aircraft flying in the traffic in the traffic pattern. It is advised that when pattern is full, aerobatic flight should be moved further out over the existing weed line using higher entry altitudes. |
BE SAFE, HAVE FUN!!!
Ten Golden Rules:
This brief version of the rules is excellent to print and keep with you at the field as a reminder.
IMPOUND -- ALWAYS CHECK YOUR TRANSMITTER IN AT THE IMPOUND.
FREQUENCY PIN -- ALWAYS GET YOUR FREQUENCY PIN WHEN FLYING OR TESTING YOUR RADIO. NEVER ASSUME.
PREFLIGHT-- DO A PREFLIGHT BEFORE FLYING. (be sure that up is up -- down is down -- etc.)
RUN UPS -- IF YOU NEED TO RUN UP TO TEST YOUR ENGINE FOR MORE THAN A SHORT TIME, USE THE FUN UP SLAB ON THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE PARKING LOT.
FLYING -- ALWAYS FLY OVER THE RUNWAY OR THE OPEN FIELD. NEVER FLY OVER THE PITS OR PARKING AREA. NEVER FLY DIRECTLY TOWARDS THE PITS. NEVER FLY OVER SOMEONE ON THE RUNWAY OR IN THE FIELD.
RUNWAY -- NEVER WALK ACROSS THE RUNWAY OR OUT IN THE FIELD, WHEN A PLANE IS IN THE AIR, WITHOUT GETTING PERMISSION FROM OTHERS FLYING.
INTENTIONS -- LET OTHERS KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO... "TAKING OFF" ..."LANDING" ..."DEAD STICK" ... "ON THE FIELD" ... "OFF THE FIELD" OR "CLEAR" ... ETC.
HELP -- IF YOU NEED A LITTLE HELP, JUST ASK - DON'T CRASH.
AMA RULES -- CHECK THE AMA RULES ON THE SHED DOOR.
HAVE FUN!!!!
Preflight for New or Rebuilt Planes:
Have you ever heard of being to deep in the forest to see the trees? Well, when focused on building or repairing a plane and getting it to the field, we often miss some obvious setup items. Even expert RC pilots have seen their pride and joy hit the dirt because of the most basic construction or setup mistake. So please checkout this checklist and use it when introducing or returning your aircraft to the sky.
BEFORE STARTING THE PREFLIGHT...
CHECK OUT FREQUENCY PIN FROM THE IMPOUND.
ASK SOMEONE TO LOOK OVER YOUR SHOULDER WHILE DOING THE PREFLIGHT. REMEMBER, THIS PLANE IS LIKE ONE OF YOUR CHILDREN... STRANGERS WILL READILY SEE FAULTS YOU'LL SIMPLY OVERLOOK.
BEFORE ASSEMBLING PLANE...
CHECK THAT ALL SCREWS & NUTS ARE TIGHT. (motor mounts, servo arms, etc.)
CHECK THAT ALL QUICK LINKS ARE LOCKED CLOSED
CHECK THAT WING MOUNTS AND/OR DOWEL RODS ARE STRONG AND SECURE.
CHECK THAT ALL CONTROL SURFACES ARE FIRMLY ATTACHED.
AFTER ASSEMBLING PLANE...
CHECK THAT ALL BATTERIES ARE FULLY CHARGED... Rx & Tx
CHECK THAT ALL SERVOS AND CONTROL SURFACES MOVE FREELY. (no sticking or binding)
CHECK THAT ALL CONTROL SURFACES MOVE IN THE CORRECT DIRECTION. (up is up, down is down, right is right, low idle is low idle, etc.)
CHECK THAT ALL CONTROL SURFACES ARE IN A NEUTRAL POSITION WHEN THE RADIO IS ON.
PERFORM A RANGE CHECK ON THE RADIO SYSTEM.
CHECK THE CENTER OF GRAVITY (CG)
ONE LAST TIME.