RHYL & DISTRICT MODEL FLYING CLUB.

FLYING FIELD SAFETY CODE OF PRACTICE Ver.02/01/09

Page One of Two.

1. All members must observe field discipline and comply with all relevant BMFA safety codes (contained within
members’ handbook). All pilots must have “A” certificate to fly solo. Models weighing over 7 kg require pilot to
have “B” certificate.
2. The Gate must, at all times be secured with padlock and chain. The last person to leave the field at the end of a
flying session is to secure the gate with the padlock & chain. Both padlock clasps to be linked together. Code
4352
3. The pegboard MUST BE USED when more than one flyer is present. The second flyer to arrive is responsible for
bringing out the pegboard, and the last flyer present is responsible for putting the pegboard away. When the
electric fence is in use, the first flyer is responsible for taking it down; the last flyer is responsible for replacing
and activating it.
4. The key fob supplied by the club displaying the flyer’s name must be hung on the pegboard when the correct
frequency peg is removed. Pegs must be returned to the pegboard after each flight, remember – NO FOB, NO
FLY! It is recommended that any pilot waiting for the peg should deposit their transmitter with the current peg
holder. In the event of a person ‘switching on’ without a peg and causing a ‘shoot down’, the pilot of the downed
aircraft will be due recompense from the offender. Pilots using the 2.4 GHz system must hang their key fob on
one of the designated hooks marked 2.4GHz.
5. All pilots must observe the established flightline and must stand on the road or pits side of the strip, dependant
on wind direction. Under no circumstances must a model be allowed to overfly the main road. The area
between the strip and the road is considered to be “DEAD AIRSPACE”. Models must not be flown towards the
road at low altitude; special care must be taken if landings have to be made from the direction of the main road.
Pilots must agree between each other on the day with regard to the landing direction. All pilots must clearly &
loudly call landing and the direction of the landing. The pilot is responsible for ensuring alarm is raised if plane is
lost during flight.
6. There shall be no taking off, landing or overflying of the pits/car parking area, there shall be no flying of models
between the strip and pits area. All power models must be launched from the strip - glider pilots will sound a
warning when a glider is to be launched using a winch or bungee.
7. All IC powered models should be started in the pits area. Models should only be taxied out from beyond the
pegboard. Models may be taxied back towards the pits but only to the pre-determined area which is clearly
marked, Helicopter pilots must use designated area for hover only practice.
8. Any person bringing children, guests or vulnerable persons to the flying field is responsible for their safety.
9. Particular care should be exercised with children & vulnerable persons; they must be supervised at all times.
Your attention is drawn to the club policy relating to children & vulnerable persons, ( Please refer to page two
item 19, of this document )
10. Any guests or visitors intending to fly their own models must be BMFA members and have proof of their
membership.
11. Dogs must be kept on a lead or contained within the owner’s vehicle.
12. All models are subject to random safety spot checks, which will be carried out by a committee member or club
instructor. If a model is considered in their opinion to be unsafe to fly, or does not conform to the club rules, it will
be grounded until rectified. Radio transmitters will also be subject to random checks for frequency tolerance.
13. Cars to be parked in an orderly fashion in the designated area, with due regard to the take off/landing path, cars
are to be parked on the hardcore area by the gate when the field is waterlogged, or if otherwise instructed to do
so by a committee member.
14. A model restraint must be used at all times whilst engine is started or running in the pits area.
15. Mobile telephones are not allowed on the flight line at any time. Mobile telephones should not be within one
metre of any transmitter. If use is absolutely necessary, then it should be used, well away from the pits area &
preferably within the user’s car. Be aware that visitors may carry mobile telephones & they must be made aware
of this safety rule.
16. Flying times: No more than 4 aircraft from anywhere on the field can be in the air. No I/C powered flying is to
commence before 10am or after 8.00pm (addition 16i = Thursdays and Saturdays flying is permitted to 9.00pm),
however quiet electric or silent flight is permitted at any time. No flying any type of aircraft between 1.00pm and
2.00pm on a Bank Holiday or the Sunday of that weekend. Pilots are encouraged not to fly far away.
17. All powered aircraft are to have a suitable spinner or domed prop-nut installed; the only exception to this is shock
flyer type aircraft. Lock nuts are recommended to be used on all four stroke engines.
18. Special care must be exercised before during & after the charging of ALL types of batteries, with special
attention to the charging of lithium based batteries. It is strongly recommended that ALL charging takes place
outside of the vehicle, wherever possible batteries should be removed from the airframe prior to charging.
FLYING FIELD SAFETY CODE OF PRACTICE Ver.02/01/09
Page Two of Two.

19. Club Policy on children and vulnerable adults.

a) All members, parents, guardians and carers are to comply with Rhyl & DMFC FLYING FIELD SAFETY
CODE OF PRACTICE in conjunction with the BMFA and Rhyl & DMFC policies and guidelines for the
promotion of welfare and care of children and vulnerable adults.
b) A “junior member” is defined as being less than 18 years of age...
c) A “vulnerable adult” is defined as a person of 18 years of age or over but through mental or physical
attributes requires a higher level of supervision than would normally be commensurate with an adult
member.
d) A “responsible person” is defined as a parent, guardian or carer. Not a club member, unless so related.
e) Junior members and vulnerable adults must be supervised at all times by a responsible person as
defined above (including on the flight line). The level of supervision to be commensurate with the
member's age, maturity, capabilities and level of experience.
f) Club Instructors are registered by the club and this is indicated on their BMFA membership card. They
are available to assist the Child or Vulnerable adult with all aspects of model flying however they are not
responsible for the direct supervision of the individual. Instructors are therefore not necessarily CRB
registered.
g) Junior members under the age of 14 years shall not start an engine or carry a model with the engine
running unless they are with a club member and responsible person.
h) No child or vulnerable adult should undertake any activity that might place them at risk. Prior
consultation should take place with the respective parent or guardian if there is any doubt as to
their ability to undertake a specific activity.
i) Should a member discover a child or vulnerable adult who is unsupervised then he/she must assume
responsibility for that person’s safety in the first instance. The situation should then be rectified as soon
as possible by seeking out the parent, guardian or carer. Any instance of such an occurrence is to be
reported to a club committee member as soon as possible. The committee member should then make a
record of the event.
j) Whilst with children or vulnerable adults, members should avoid placing themselves in a position that
could be open to misinterpretation or question in accordance with BMFA policy. Remember the policy is
to protect you as well as children and vulnerable adults.
k) Should any member, parent, guardian or carer or the person themselves have concerns about the
welfare of children or vulnerable adults, he or she is to contact a committee member.
l) All members are required to respect the rights and dignity of children and vulnerable adults and to
promote their welfare.

Notes to parents, guardians and carers:

a) To join the Club, any person under the age of 18 years, or any vulnerable adult needs to submit a completed
application form, which must be countersigned by the parent, guardian or carer, thereby signifying acceptance of the
conditions of membership. Please take particular notice of item 19 above, Club Policy on Children & Vulnerable adults.
b) Once membership is agreed a welcome pack, if not already sent, will be sent to the parent, guardian or carer. Also to
be sent is documentation together with a key fob, which the modeller should always bring to the field as proof of
membership. A temporary BMFA membership card will be included and an insurance certificate will follow later.
c) Whilst this Club has a moral and statutory duty to take all reasonable steps to ensure the general welfare of children
and vulnerable adult members, in particular during the actual act of model flying and associated pre-flight and post-
flight procedures, it must be stressed that the club will not undertake the all encompassing responsibilities of
those acting in the role of guardians or carers.
d) Should your child or charge have any special medical or physical needs you are required to advise the Club in writing.
e) Unless the parent, guardian or carer agree in writing, appropriate pictures of junior modellers will not be used on the
club web page, club newsletter or club evening slide shows.
f) Should you wish to discuss any aspect of the club policy or require clarification on any of the foregoing procedures
please contact the club chairman

A FIRE EXTINGUISHER IS PROVIDED INSIDE THE PEG BOARD BOX.

Please place this next to the peg board when setting up.
A FIRST AID KIT & ACCIDENT BOOK ARE KEPT INSIDE THE PEGBOARD BOX.
Members are requested to use the accident book to record any accidents and the use of first aid consumables
so that stock can be maintained. It is also suggested that flyers carry their own basic first aid items such as
sticking plasters.

THIS SAFETY CODE OF PRACTICE IS DESIGNED TO ENSURE THE ENJOYMENT AND SAFETY OF ALL CLUB MEMBERS,
FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE IN THE BMFA HANDBOOK AND ANY SUGGESTIONS OR COMPLAINTS SHOULD BE
BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE COMMITTEE. IF IN DOUBT AS TO ANY PROCEDURE, PLEASE CONTACT A
COMMITTEE MEMBER OR EXAMINER FOR HELP.

(Amended January 2009)