Club Rules

 ***** Royal County Flying Rules *****

NO INSURANCE? – ABSOLUTELY NO FLYING.

NO ‘A’ CERTIFICATE? – ABSOLUTELY NO FLYING WITHOUT THE SUPERVISION OF AN ‘A’ CERT MEMBER.

Some members think our rules are too exhaustive so we are changing the rules to 4 simple ones;

  1. FLY SAFELY
  2. FLY SAFELY
  3. FLY SAFELY
  4. Scroll down to see what the nitty gritty of FLYING SAFELY is…
  • The clubs rules are, by necessity comprehensive, please accept that they are put in place to protect Royal County Aeromodellers Club, its Committee and Members.
  • Safety is the responsibility of all members of the club. No member or guest is permitted to fly in a manner that endangers people or property. Please remember that SAFE FLYING IS NO ACCIDENT.
  • SEE RULE above!!
  • Dangerous flying will result in a warning. Repeated incidents of dangerous flying will result in dismissal from the club. Membership fees will be forfeited.
  • Royal County Aeromodellers Club fully adopts the constitution of the MACI.
  • The instructions of the committee / senior members must be followed at all times.
  • All members must fly on their allocated frequency (new members will be allocated a frequency by the committee once they agree to join).
  • All members must check that their frequency is available prior to operating their transmitter.
  • All members must use the frequency pegboard provided by the club.
  • Switching on of any transmitter without first obtaining the correct frequency peg will be a serious offence.
  • If a frequency clash occurs which results in the crash and destruction of a model/radio gear, the resolution of the issue will be between the offending parties. Note: Members will be held responsible for all damage sustained to another model should such damage be caused by negligence on their part. However, if required, the committee’s decision in all disputes shall be deemed final.
  • Disciplinary decisions by the committee may be appealed to a full meeting of the club.
  • Members who have not passed the MACI “A” test must not fly alone at any club site.
  • Fly passes must be parallel to the flight line. No flying towards or behind the flight line.
  • All new or repaired models must be presented for inspection to a member of at least “A” cert standard.
  • Only persons engaged in flying or teaching will be allowed in the vicinity of the flight line.
  • The pits area will be at least twenty five metres from the flight line.
  • Over flying of the pits and car parking areas is strictly forbidden.
  • Large power models over 7 kg or 2.5 metres wingspan must be registered with the MACI with adequate LMA insurance under MACI rules.
  • The first member to arrive at the field is to set up the peg board and flight line with reference to the prevailing wind.
  • MACI membership cards must be carried at all times.
  • All “dead stick” landings must be called in such a way that all flying members can hear and be aware of the situation. “Dead stick” landings have priority over “power on” landings.
  • Visitors and guests may only fly at the club with the express permission of a full member of RCAC.
  • Proof of insurance must be provided by all guests.
  • Members are deemed to be responsible for the behaviour of their guests.
  • Guests must comply with all club rules.
  • Regular use of the club flying site by visitors will require that the person joins the club as a full member.
  • Helicopters may be started in the pits area, but all rotors must be kept static.
  • Helicopters must not be flown less than twenty five metres from the pits area.
  • Helicopter pilots must position themselves between the pits area and the model while flying.
  • Membership is initially for a 12 month period before full membership is accepted.
  • Separate site flying instructions may be issued from time to time, all members should accept that it is their responsibility to acquaint themselves with instructions relative to any particular site prior to flying at that site. If in any doubt please check with a committee member of the club before visiting the site.
  • Acceptance of these rules is a condition of club membership.
  • New members will be allocated a frequency by the club and shall not use any other frequency in their equipment at an RCAC site. (A period of up to one month is permitted for members to obtain crystals for their allocated frequency).
  • The committee’s decision is final.
  • The adoption of safe practices ensures the enjoyment of our sport by all RCAC members. There is no substitute for common sense as model aircraft can be extremely dangerous in the wrong hands. The frequency allocation scheme is designed to minimize frequency clashes at RCAC flying site(s), however it is worth bearing in mind that due to the limited number of frequencies some of the frequencies may be shared by more than one member if membership gets to that level.

Royal County Aeromodellers Club – Pre-flight Checks and Safety Notes;

  • Completely charge your transmitter and receiver batteries before flying.
  • Check every bolt and glue joint including control surface hinges.
  • Double check the tightness of all servo horn retaining screws.
  • Double check the tightness of propeller nut/spinner nut etc.
  • Double check that the receiver and nicad battery are properly secured in the fuselage.
  • Double check the balance of the model with the fuel tank empty.
  • Check all control surfaces, they should move in the correct direction with no binding.
  • Make sure dual rates, if used, are set on low rates.
  • Check the receiver aerial is fully extended and not coiled in the fuselage.
  • Properly balance the propeller, excessive vibration will occur if you don’t.

New Members please read fully & understand before flying for the 1st time.

  • Do not test fly your model until it has been checked by an experienced modeller of at least ‘A’ certificate standard.
  • Do not fly your model in excess of approx three hundred feet.
  • When flying at the field you should fully abide with the club’s safety and other rules.
  • You should not fly in a deliberately reckless or dangerous manner.
  • When flying, you must not fly deliberately behind the flight line.
  • You should complete a successful range check of your radio equipment each new day of flying or prior to the first flight or repair of a model.
  • Your first turn, after take off, should always be away from the pits area.
  • Always check your frequency is available to you and that you have the correct frequency peg before switching on your transmitter. (Failure to do so may prove expensive to you!).
  • The clubs rules regarding the flying of helicopters and the positioning of the flying area must be strictly complied with at all times.
  • The day to day decisions of the safety officer(s) will be adhered to at all times by members.