|
Page
1 • 2 •
3 •
4
Where We Fly: The activities at a flying field are separated into
parking, spectator area, pit area, taxiway, runway, and
flight-operations overflight area.
I attended a contest recently. During
it and demonstration flying, a large-scale C-47 and an electric-powered
helicopter went out of control and were destroyed.
No one was hurt
because the club hosting the event enforced the use of the AMA Safety
Code. These aircraft crashed in the flight-operations overflight area,
which was kept clear of personnel. If you want to fly in a neighborhood
park or school ground, you must provide positive crowd control on your
own.
Sections 1, 3, 4, 7, and 8 of the 2006 AMA Safety Code for RC
flight covers not flying models in the vicinity of people. Please review
these sections now. The Safety Code is important enough that it is
published elsewhere in this issue and in every MA. Go to the table of
contents to find it.
Section 1 of the RC Safety Code gives a prime
directive: "All model flying shall be conducted in a manner to avoid
over flight of unprotected people." This applies to indoor and outdoor
RC flight. Other elements of the section reinforce this basic tenet or
provide guidance for its implementation.
Section 4 of the RC Safety Code
discusses maintaining an imaginary straight or curved line on one side
of where flight operations are conducted. Spectators must be on the
opposite side of that imaginary line so they are out of the overflight
area. Intentional flight on the spectators' side of that imaginary line
is prohibited. This tells the AMA member how the rule should be
implemented at an AMA chartered-club flying field.
Section 7 of the RC
Safety Code discusses maintaining a minimum distance of 25 feet between
a powered model in flight and any person, except during takeoff and
landing when the pilot and/or pilot's helper needs to access the
aircraft. Of course the model is not flying when the pilot launches or
retrieves it.
Following the AMA recommendation for laying out a model
flying field ensures that this requirement is met. The minimum distance
between the pilots'-station line and the runway edge is 25 feet.
Item 8
of the RC Safety Code states that touching a model that is in flight is
prohibited. The reason is simple; affecting an in-flight airplane by
touching it may cause it to go out of control and crash. Such contact
would cause an unacceptable increase in the level of risk in flight
operations.
Specialized Supplemental Safety Codes discuss the separation
between RC Combat, RC racing, Giant Scale RC racing, and gas-turbine
flight operations; spectators; and other safety considerations. You can
obtain copies of these special codes from the AMA Web site at
www.modelaircraft.org/acrobat.asp or by contacting AMA Headquarters at
(765) 287-1256.
In RC Combat, all pilots must wear a helmet for
protection. Spectators must be far enough from the flightline to remove
them from the area where an errant craft may stray after a midair
collision. You may not be engaged in Combat, but you are obligated to
maintain separation between your flying aircraft and any person.
If you
are piloting a park flyer at a local school ground or park, you need to
improvise some means of crowd control to protect your runway and
maintain separation of your flight zone from bystanders.
In my
experience, flying a model in a park is a magnet for kids. I have
learned to welcome them; you might as well. If you fly there, they will
show up.
I usually appoint the first kid who arrives the "sheriff." I
ask if he or she wants me to continue flying. If the answer is yes, and
it always is, I tell that kid I will continue to fly only if he or she
will be the sheriff and keep everyone off my runway. Most kids will
accept the responsibility willingly and are proud to do so.
Even if you
are piloting a park flyer, avoid flying over people!
Click on photo to view large image with caption
Page
1 • 2 •
3 •
4
|
