Watton Radio Model Club

Safety First

Ian Platt has been our club safety officer for many years and has been instrumental in maintaining our outstanding safety record. His main task is to keep us advised about the latest safety issues and he can be quite vigorous in highlighting the error of our ways. However, he can't be a 'policeman' on duty wherever and whenever WRMC members are flying so it is up to us all to maintain our own safety standards and remind others of their responsibilities if the need arises.

To assist in maintaining safety standards, Derek Bowthorpe is our " Mid Week " safety officer.

As with all activities involving flying objects there are a considerable number of safety rules to observe. Statistically, our hobby/sport has a good record and the insurance premiums reflect this. However, several kilograms of aircraft travelling at 40 mph has the potential to do considerable damage, but thankfully there have been very few, well publicized fatalities. Nevertheless, it is our responsibility to take all the reasonable precautions and not " ' recklessly or negligently act in a manner to endanger a aircraft and its occupants ' or ' not recklessly or negligently cause or permit an aircraft to endanger any person or property ' " (Article 74 & 73 of the Air Navigation Order).

Safety rules are prominently featured in 2 BMFA publications 'Up And Away' and the annual 'Members Handbook', that we all receive when we join up, and of course in our own club rules. At first sight they are all a bit bewildering, but if we break down our activity into different phases and the highlight the relevant hazards and risks involved it may help you get to grips with this less glamorous, but no less important, aspect of R/C aircraft.

Model Construction

Safety starts with a well built model that is regularly checked and serviced to keep it in airworthy condition. Poor storage, rough transport and normal flight stresses will all take their toll, whilst the effects of rough landings...etc will need very careful attention.

Frequency Control

On the flying site "NEVER" switch on your transmitter until you have the relevant frequency peg when using a 35mhz transmitter. You will be expected to pay for any model operating on the same frequency that you 'shoot down' in this way.

Your membership card is to be used on our pegboard system to claim the peg for your exclusive right to that particular frequency for the duration of your flight for users of 35mhz transmitters. The peg should be attached to your transmitter aerial in full view during the flight and returned to the pegboard when your plane is safely back in the pits area -- please don't hog the peg.

For users of the new 2.4 ghz transmitter systems, your membership card should be displayed on the peg board for this frequency range. This indicates to all other users you will not interfere with 35mhz operation.

Fail Safe Devices

All model aircraft under the control of radio equipement with fail safe capabilities must be set to a minimum of ' Engine To Idle ' for internal combustion engines and ' Engine Cut ' for electric power.

All models over 7kg MUST be fitted with a fail safe device set to a minimum of ' Engine To Idle '.

For users of all Gas Turbine powered models a fail safe device Must be fitted and set to a minimum of ' Engine To Idle ' and in addition the fuel system must be capable of of manual shut off via a fuel valve or fuel pump switch.

Site Rules

These are detailed in section 6. Main points to remember are:

At Carbrooke don't fly South of our boundary and make sure your noise test is current.
At Carbrooke Fen don't fly West of our boundary , make sure your noise test is current and No Flying After 7.00pm ( IC or Electric - Silent Flight ) !!.
Never taxi a plane in or fly over the pits / car parking areas at either site.

Engine Start and Testing

Restrain the model securely and always assume that when the engine is running, it may rev up (due to interference or equipment failure). Electric models are similarly at risk all the time the battery is connected and switched on. Do not run the engine at high speed if there is anyone in front of the model or in line with its blades -- if the prop breaks that is where the bits are likely to go, so don't use damaged props! Helicopter rotor blades must be restained at all times untill placed out on the flying area. Never taxi your aircraft in the pits area.

Note: Glo-fuel is very flammable and burns with very little colour. It is easily ignited with an electrical spark so it is best not to keep fuel and batteries in the same flight box.

Pre-flight Checks

It is important to carry out regular range checks of your radio equipment. With the transmitter aerial down for 35Mhz radios and the engine at full throttle you should still have full, glitch free control from a 100 ft distance. Pilots using 2.4Ghz radios should carry out a similar check using the reduced power output setting referring to the manufacturers handbook for the distance.

Before each and every flight, check that all control surfaces are working in the correct sense and that the battery has ample charge to complete the flight. Make sure you transmitter aerial is fully extended (35Mhz).

Never fly with a damaged aircraft or propeller / rotor blades. Remember -- takeoffs are optional, all landings (controlled or otherwise) are mandatory!

Never Fly Alone

You will need a responsible person on hand to act as a look out for full size aircraft activity and for first aid backup. Effectively that means 2 active pilots should not be in the air at the same time if they are the only 2 people on the site. Even cut fingers due to careless contact with powered prop can cause shock, which in some instances can be fatal. The prospect for a broken prop blade hitting the face is unthinkable!

Courtesy To Other Pilots

Announce (shout if necessary) "on the runway" when you consider it safe to put your aircraft on the runway for takeoff and wait for confirmation from all the other airborne pilots before doing so. Priority must be given to aircraft landing, particularly those that are "dead stick' (engine stopped).

When preparing to land you should announce clearly "landing" or "dead stick" to warn other pilots to keep clear until your model is off the runway. It is good practice to retrieve your model quickly as possible if their are others flying 'in the circuit' and to leave your transmitter switched on in the pilots flying area. If carried on the runway your transmitter might 'interfere' with models flying overhead because you are closer to the model than its own pilot.

Orientation

Never take your eyes off the aircraft you're flying. Keep within easy visual range; don't fly overhead or behind you and certainly never over the pits area where spectators are grouped.

Landing

Never land towards the pits area or when there are people on the landing strip.

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