Field Rules

The Bayside R/C Club has established rules similar to what other R/C clubs utilize. We adhere to AMA safety guidelines. We have rules that make us good neighbors to surrounding businesses. We have extremely strict rules with respect to flying within our air space. Any flying beyond our field limits may result in disciplinary action up to and including removal from the club. Almost all of our rules are directed towards not over flying our neighbor’s property lines, hence the need for technical inspections and Field Marshals.

While the field rules are strict and we have put enforcement in place IT IS A MEMBER’S RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW AND ABIDE BY THE RULES. There are no excuses and no exceptions.
 

General Rules

1. In addition to these rules, the current AMA National Model Aircraft Safety Code applies at the Bayside R/C Club flying field.
2. You must be a member of the Bayside R/C Club Inc. or the guest of a member to fly at the Bayside field. Guest fliers must have current AMA membership. The sponsoring Bayside member is responsible for ensuring that the guest understands these rules and is competent to fly.
3. No member is permitted to fly an aircraft unassisted (solo) unless approved by a Bayside instructor.
4. No pilot may fly an aircraft without a Field Marshal present, and at least 2 adults must be present.
5. All aircraft must pass technical inspection before being flown for the first time or after major repair and have a sticker attached to the aircraft, visible from the exterior. Special inspections may be provided on request. Special inspections are to be performed by a member of the board only. Aircraft over 80 “ wingspan require a special inspection.
6. All aircraft must pass a radio range check performed prior to the first flight of the day. Fixed wing aircraft must pass a full engine power range check.
7. A battery voltage check must be performed prior to each flight to ensure satisfactory and safe battery voltage.
8. All aircraft must be equipped with suitable mufflers.
9. You must have your name, address, phone number and AMA number in your aircraft.
10. All transmitters must be properly impounded in the impound shed or stowed away out of the pit area (such as in a vehicle) when not in possession of the frequency pin.
11. Current membership (or AMA) cards must be used to show frequency use in radio impound.
12. Frequency pins must be placed on the transmitter before removing radio from impound, and before turning on the transmitter.
13. Pilots must stand in one of the 5 flight stations (helicopter area excepted). Hovering and other low “3D” maneuvers must be on far side of runway when other pilots are flying.
14. Airspace boundaries are:
    1. The runway, extending to the north and south boundary. (Helicopter area excepted)
    2. Grimmer Blvd. to the north
    3. Absolutely no flying over NUMI property or RV lot
    4. The fence bordering the RV area to the south
    5. The railroad tracks to the west
    6. Helicopters may fly in the “heli” area, but must not fly over Warm Springs Boulevard. Helicopters flying in the aircraft area are to fly in the normal pattern.
15. Normal permitted flying hours:
    1. Gliders & Electrics- 7:30AM to sunset.
    2. Power- 8:AM to sunset
16. Loudly announce all intentions to taxi, take off, land or cross runway. A spotter is required at the flight stations prior to retrieval of any aircraft from the flying area. No takeoffs from the taxiways.
17. Operating models while impaired by any substance is not permitted.
18. No spectators are permitted in the pit area without permission from a club member.
19. Pets must be confined by a leash. Clean-up after your pets!
20. Use test run area north of the pits to tune and/or break-in engines, NOT in the start-up area.
21. Do not pit on the picnic tables.
22. Do not pit in the start-up area. Remove all equipment after each flight.
23. All members and guests are responsible to know and adhere to these basic field rules.
24. It is the responsibility of the Field Marshals to take action regarding any rule violations.
25. Field Marshals have the authority to stop anyone from flying at Bayside for repeated violation of rules.
26. Suspension or expulsion from the club will result from over-flying NUMI or RV lot property, or flagrant disregard of the field rules.

Field Marshals

The purpose of the position of the Field Marshal is to protect the safety at the club flying site by preventing any damage to property or personal injury beyond the boundaries of the Bayside R/C flying field, and in doing so prevent any further damage to property and potential injury to personnel of the business that surround the field. This in particular includes, but is not limited to, flying beyond the railroad tracks on the West side.

Let us be clear that this does not in any way preclude the current rules, which require a spotter at the railroad tracks, but rather, shifts that responsibility to the marshal while he is on duty. So it follows that if a marshal is not currently on duty, then a spotter at the tracks is still required for any flying.

Since it is also the purpose to make it more practical for members to have more time to fly, it is requested that they cooperate with the following guide lines or they will be required to end their flight or provide their on spotter.

1. The marshal is required to wear an approved badge while on duty so that all will know he is available and on duty. If no marshal is present and on duty, then a spotter is still required.
2. The marshal, while on duty, is not allowed to fly while others are currently flying. This is because he can not be concentrating on his own aircraft, when he is expected to watch out for others. Therefore it is important that the members be aware of this, and should not expect that they can go without a spotter while the only marshal present is flying. So during this time; either wait, find another marshal, or get a spotter. The marshal is required to have one other person present for other safety reasons, but he does not require another marshal or spotter for his own flying. (There is a side benefit of letting others fly, while the marshal watches.)
3. The marshal may at any time ask a pilot to fly their plane parallel to and directly over or slightly inside of the railroad tracks, preferably slightly below the height of the electrical towers. This will allow them both to verify the visual perception of the aircraft and also affirm that both the marshal and pilot can agree on the position and maximum distance to the west that they are allowed to fly. It can also be confirmed that the aircraft is flying on the east side of the towers as the aircraft will pass, hopefully, in front of them. The above should never be done in a dangerous or unsafe manner, and only as a reference to prevent flying further west. The marshal can also verify that the pilot is able to reasonably perform this flight path, while remaining in full control of the aircraft.
4. While it is not the direct responsibility of the field marshal to enforce ALL the current field rules, if he does see or someone points out to him, the disregard for any safety rule he is authorized to enforce the rules. This includes the current rules of a range check before the first flight of the day, a battery check before each flight, and a current inspection sticker on each plane.
5. If at any time the marshal sees anyone flying beyond the limits of the club’s flying area, he will warn the pilot and request that he immediately correct the flight path to return the aircraft to the club’s flight area, as soon as safely possible, which for most cases will be NOW. If this happens a second time during the day, the marshal will ask the pilot to land NOW, and they can then talk about the reasons for the offense. If this happens a third time the pilot will be asked to land and quit for the day. All offenses that can not be resolved with the marshal will be reported to the CHIEF FIELD MARSHAL or one of the club officers for any further action necessary.
6. If at any time a pilot has lost control of an aircraft, either because of lack of skill, loss of orientation, or mechanical problems, the marshal is allowed to take over the control of the aircraft to try to prevent any further safety problems and to keep or bring back the aircraft into the club’s flying area. This will include landing the aircraft, or if necessary, crashing it in a some what “controlled” manner, to prevent any further safety problems.
7. The marshals are to be appointed by the current CHIEF FIELD MARSHAL, after they have shown their willingness and ability to enforce the above guide lines. If at any time any member feels they have any problem with any of the marshals, then they should feel free to discuss it with the CHIEF FIELD MARSHAL, or one of the club officers.

Airplane Technical Inspections

The following conditions must be meet or you cannot fly at the Bayside R/C field. These conditions apply seven days a week, no exceptions. Members knowingly violating these conditions will have their membership suspended. Non-members will be prosecuted for trespassing.

Thank you for your help to make our hobby and neighbors as safe as possible.

1. Current members only, or current AMA members with prior permission.
2. Technical inspection of air craft with wing span of 8O” and below: (larger aircraft require special permission)
   1. Condition of propeller and propeller nut is tight.
   2. Engine, engine Mount. and muffler are secure.
   3. Interior control rods, cables, servos, and antenna must be secured properly, routed properly, and move freely.
   4. All control surfaces and linkages must have keepers, be secure and move freely. Metal clevis’ must have jamb nuts and be loctite’d. All types of clevis’ must have fuel tube safety keepers. Conduct pull test on hinges and a load test on control surfaces.
   5. Name, address, phone number, and AMA registration numbers are displayed on or in the aircraft.
   6. Wheels and gear must be secure and roll free.
   7. Wing hold down system is secure.
   8. Current approved Tech Inspection Sticker displayed.
3. Range check radio with antenna down to 50 feet, and battery check aircraft and radio.
4. No flying is allowed west of the railroad tracks. The first offense will be a warning the second will result in a thirty day grounding.

Helicopter Rules & Technical Inspections

Helicopter rules for compliance with NUMI agreements:

1. Because of the uniqueness of helicopters and the manner in which they are typically flown, somewhat different safety rules will apply than those governing fixed wing aircraft. However, the basic concepts of safety applied to fixed wing aircraft will apply to helicopters. All helicopters will be safety inspected, all helicopter radios will be checked, and flight pattern restrictions are in place.
2. All helicopters will be inspected by someone other than the owner/pilot prior to being flown at Bayside, or after being repaired due to significant crash damage. It is expected that the owner will accomplish a similar inspection prior to every flight session, after having achieved initial compliance with inspection criteria.
3. The Bayside helicopter inspector is Dave Neves.
4. The safety inspection will consist of the following items as a minimum. The inspector can pursue any additional items deemed appropriate.
   1. Throughout the helicopter, check for loose or missing fasteners.
   2. Throughout the helicopter, check for loose metal to metal parts.
   3. In the tail rotor group, check for excessive slop in controls and drive mechanism. Check for cracked or damaged rotor blades.
   4. In the main rotor group, check for excessive slop in controls and various lever arms on the mechanism. Check for excessive slop in the swash plate. Check main blades for cracks or damage, and check that blade weights appear to be properly installed.
   5. Check servos for proper mounting, presence of output arm screws and output arm wear at Z-bends. Check for firm pigtail plug connections, and that pigtails are protected from chafing against the helicopter structure.
   6. If equipped, check gyro for proper attachment in that foam mounting tape has appropriate adhesion.
   7. Check that the radio components are securely attached or contained, and have reasonable protection from vibration. Check the antenna for appropriate routing, and that it is protected from chafing and breaking.
   8. If helicopter has not been previously flown, or has been repaired from crash damage, check all control throws for proper direction and reasonable movement.
5. The radio system will be checked for appropriate battery voltage, both transmitter and receiver, with the assumption the pilot has fully charged the system prior to the inspection. The checking instrument may be either the pilot’s or the inspector’s, as agreed to by both parties. The pilot will demonstrate a satisfactory antenna collapsed range check suitable to the radio system in use.
6. If the helicopter pilot chooses to fly from a runway flight station in the normal fixed wing flight pattern, then all the fixed wing flight boundary rules and Field Marshal requirements also apply to the helicopter pilot.
7. If the helicopter pilot flies from the helicopter area of the Bayside field, observing the historical boundaries of that area, then a spotter is not required.
8. These rules shall remain in effect until specifically changed by the Executive Board.

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