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What We Fly—AMA
Safety Code General Requirements: Given that flight operations are
implemented at a flying field, the general provisions of the AMA Safety
Code describe the limitations on model aircraft and the pilot for safe
flight operations in the overflight area. Fly in accordance with the
code, and the AMA-sponsored insurance will be there for your protection
if you need it.
Let's examine the Safety Code's 12 general requirements
and their significance. All of them apply to any flight operation,
whether it be RC, CL, or FF.
1) This point defines a model aircraft as "
... a non-human-carrying device capable of sustained flight in the
atmosphere. It shall not exceed limitations established in this code and
is intended to be used exclusively for recreation or competition
activity."
2) "The maximum takeoff weight of a model aircraft, including
fuel, is 55 pounds, except for those flown under AMA Experimental
Aircraft Rules."
This weight limitation prevents extremely large models
from being flown at flying fields without special restrictions. Flying
an aircraft weighing more than 55 pounds without contacting AMA for
guidance voids your insurance coverage under the AMA insurance program.
3) "I will abide by this Safety Code and all rules established for the
flying site I use. I will not willfully fly my model aircraft in a
reckless and/or dangerous manner."
Any reckless or dangerous flying
should be stopped immediately by anyone who observes it. If you were a
passenger in a car and the driver was speeding and passing cars on
curves and hills, you would ask him or her to drive with more reasonable
care. This situation is no different. A pilot who flies recklessly
places you and everyone else at the flying field in jeopardy.
4) "I will
not fly my model aircraft in sanctioned events, air shows, or model
demonstrations until it has been proven airworthy."
Even if you have
effectively implemented the different zones at a flying field, you
should have reasonable confidence in a new model's flying ability before
you pilot it in the presence of a large crowd of spectators. You
minimize the risk of control loss by having successfully flight-tested
the airplane without the crowd present.
5) "I will not fly my model
aircraft higher than approximately 400 feet above ground level, when
within three (3) miles of an airport without notifying the airport
operator. I will yield the right-of-way and avoid flying in the
proximity of full-scale aircraft, utilizing a spotter when appropriate."
My club's flying field is located out in the country, and crop dusters
often fly nearby. We keep a close eye on these aircraft to avoid
conflicts. Several times recently we have shut down flight operations at
the field until the crop duster finished dusting in adjacent fields.
6)
"I will not fly my model aircraft unless it is identified with my name
and address, or AMA number, inside or affixed to the outside of the
model aircraft. This does not apply to model aircraft flown indoors."
This is a question of responsibility. If your model flies away or is
involved in a loss-of-control event, you have established that it
belongs to you. This can be an advantage particularly if your aircraft
flies away for some reason and is lost; you have a chance of someone
finding it and notifying you of its location.
7) "I will not operate
model aircraft with metal-blade propellers or with gaseous boosts (other
than air), nor will I operate model aircraft with fuels containing tetranitromethane or hydrazine."
Using metal propellers or rocket
propulsion increases the risk of injury in a loss-of-control event.
Liquid rocket fuel would also present the added explosive risk.
8) "I
will not operate model aircraft carrying pyrotechnic devices that
explode or burn, or any device that propels a projectile of any kind."
Exceptions are timing fuses for FF models and special air shows
conducted according to AMA guidelines. These shows, performed by Air
Show Teams, will probably have additional safety provisions to
compensate for the use of such devices.
9) "I will not operate my model
aircraft while under the influence of alcohol or within eight (8) hours
of having consumed alcohol." The loss or degradation of a pilot's
reaction time and/or judgment because of alcohol increases the risk of
an out-of-control event.
10) "I will not operate my model aircraft while
using any drug which could adversely affect my ability to safely control
my model aircraft." This falls in line with item 9.
11) "Children under
six (6) years old are only allowed on a flightline or in a flight area
as a pilot or while under flight instruction."
Youngsters have no place
on the flightline unless they are directly involved in the flying. I
have seen young people who don't realize the danger run out onto my
schoolyard runway to "catch" the 2-pound glider that I had on final.
That lack of crowd control cost me a new glider wing because I had to
fly the model through the A-frame section of a swing set to avoid a
child.
That incident, which occurred approximately 15 years ago,
convinced me that any model-aircraft flying needs crowd control.
12)
"When and where required by rule, helmets must be worn and fastened.
They must be OSHA, DOT, ANSI, SNELL or NOCSAE approved or comply with
comparable standards."
Refer to the topic of RC Combat requirements.
Pilots must use the helmets—a safety barrier—in some flight-operations
environments.
We can minimize the risk involved in flying model aircraft
by reasonable restrictions on what we fly and the pilot's readiness to
conduct flight operations. Next month I'll go into more about
flight-operations safety. Specifically I'll cover how we fly, to include
methods, techniques, and practices to keep our flying safe and injury
free. Be safe and good flying!
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