MARCS Flying Rules and Procedures
MARCS club members and their guests must have current AMA membership in order to fly at the flying field, and all pilots must comply with the AMA safety code. Everyone should assist in the enforcement of these rules by requesting club members, guests or spectators to observe the AMA safety code and MARCS flying rules. Your cooperation is important - to ensure everyone's safety and the continued use of our flying field.
1. Other than electric Park Flyers, no engine operation is allowed before 9:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and not before 10:00 a.m. on Sundays and holidays. Flying will not be allowed while mowing operations are in progress, or when workers are present in the flying area.
2. Noise restrictions: The sound of the R/C aircraft may not exceed 85db at full power as measured at ten meters (33 feet) from the R/C aircraft while it is restrained on the ground.
3. All powered flights should be limited to twelve (12) minutes, including engine starting and run-up.
4. NO-FLY zones: Flying is prohibited to the west (behind the flight stations and flight line) as per AMA regulations, and flying is prohibited past the tree line to the south. The club recommends flying away from the south part of the field in general.
5. The runway is oriented north to south with pilots facing east at the flight stations. Pilots will establish which direction will be used for takeoffs and landings based on wind direction, and fly a left-hand "race track" pattern.
6. Parking Area: The designated parking area is behind the pits. The entrances to the pits and the access road leading to the MARCS flying field must be kept clear at all times for emergency use. During special events, a designated parking area will be marked with temporary signs and markers.
7. R/C aircraft that experience complete loss of engine power during flight will have priority and right-of-way over all other R/C aircraft that are either on the ground or in the air. In this situation, the pilot will signal the other pilots by loudly proclaiming "dead stick". Other pilots must then clear the field. During normal flight operations landing R/C aircraft always have priority and the right-of-way.
8. Lengthy engine run-ups or engine break-ins should be performed at the designated area - located to the west of the pit area on the opposite side of the access road.
9. Pilots who are not MARCS members may fly as Guest Pilots, as long as they are current AMA members. The host MARCS member is responsible for his guest's actions at the field. Guest Pilots are permitted (3) flying sessions, after which they must apply and become members of the club to continue flying at the field. All Guest Pilots must be proficient R/C pilots to fly at the field. Qualified MARCS members can vouch for the proficiency of their guest, but all others must demonstrate their proficiency to a MARCS Flight instructor (see# 10). All Guest Pilots must be made aware and must comply with the MARCS flying rules and procedures and AMA safety code, especially the "no-fly" zones.
10. In order to fly "SOLO", pilots must first be qualified by a MARCS flight instructor in order to ensure that they are able to safely control their R/C aircraft and that they understand the flying rules and procedures. Pilots will be qualified in four categories, as follows:
Class A: Trainer R/C aircraft (high wing) up to 0.60 CID or electric motor equivalent
Class B: High-Performance R/C aircraft (mid-wing, low-wing, biplane) up to 1.20 CID or electric motor equivalent
Class C: All types R/C aircraft and those greater than 1.20 CID or electric motor equivalent
Class D: Park Flyers (Electric motor aircraft - maximum 2 pounds or 60 mph.)
An instructor will mark the category on the club member's AMA card membership sticker (see #19).
11. If an aircraft becomes uncontrollable, the pilot or spotter should immediately alert others with a loud "heads up" declaration. When retrieving an R/C aircraft or anything else on or near the runway, pilots must announce a loud "man on the field" and when clear of the runway area, announce a loud "field is clear". Under no circumstances may pilots start or restart their R/C aircraft on the runway while other pilots or R/C aircraft are operating.
12. Regarding accidents: pilots are responsible for damage incurred to other aircraft, personal property, or physical injury, and should accept financial responsibility for any resulting damage. In the event of a midair collision, both pilots are deemed to be equally responsible and will not be held liable to the other for damages. However, instructor pilots will not be liable for damage incurred to a student's model aircraft under the instructor's control or supervision, since accidents are inevitable during training. Accidents should be reported to the club's safety officer.
13. Helicopter pilots are required to operate their helicopters from the farthest upwind flight station. Helicopters must use the same takeoff and landing procedures, and flight pattern, as fixed wing aircraft.
14. Per AMA rules, operators of gasoline powered R/C aircraft must have a fire extinguisher (of the type approved for flammable liquids) present and ready for use whenever such aircraft are being fueled, started, or de-fueled. Also, gasoline powered R/C aircraft must be equipped with an ignition kill switch. Additional safety measures are especially recommended, such as heavy gloves for hand protection, and the R/C aircraft must be securely restrained while starting the engine.
15. Alcoholic beverages and/or firearms are not permitted at the MARCS flying field. Smoking is not permitted inside the pit area or at the flight line.
16. Pilots will only fly from the marked pilot stations on the flight line. No more than four (4) R/C aircraft will be flown at any one time.
17. No trash is to be left at the flying field. If you create any trash it is your responsibility to remove it. As club members, you should volunteer to remove trash left by others.
18. R/C pilots should not fly alone and should use a spotter while flying. The spotter is responsible to assist the pilots in maintaining situational awareness, and to ensure that all flying is performed "in bounds" and in a safe manner.
19. The membership chairman shall affix and validate a colored sticker on each club member's AMA card to indicate verification of dues paid. (A different color may be used each year.) An additional yellow sticker will be used to indicate "students" (pilots who have not yet been qualified, see #10). The club member or guest's AMA card will be used to control flight station usage (refer to the "Frequency Control System" section).
20. All pilots flying gas or methanol fuel aircraft are required to use a fuel recovery bottle when fueling or de-fueling in the pits area. Fueling may also be done in the parking area. Note: gas-turbine engines are prohibited to be operated at the flying field.
21. Other rules may be posted at any time on the bulletin board at the flying field. Members and guests are urged to check this board for changes and other official club notices.
Frequency Control System
1. The transmitter impound area shall hold all 72mhz transmitters whenever they are not being used. All impounded transmitters are required to be "off". All 72mhz transmitters must have frequency identification numbers attached. 2.4ghz and "Ham" radios do not require impounding.
2. Pilots must ensure that their 72mhz transmitters are always off unless they have control of that frequency. The transmitter may be removed from the impound area only when the pilot has control of the frequency, or when they are leaving the field.
3. Pilots will attach their AMA card to the numbered peg or slot on the frequency control board. There will also be pegs or slots available for 2.4ghz and "Ham" frequencies. Once the AMA card has been used to designate control of the frequency, only then may the pilot remove his 72mhz transmitter from the impound area for use in the pits or on the flight line.
4. Upon completing a flight, the pilot will immediately return his 72mhz transmitter to the impound rack, making sure that it is turned "off", and retrieve his AMA card to "release" the frequency control. If there is another card waiting, the pilot will call out the name of the next flyer in turn so that they may attach their AMA card to the frequency control board. If the first flyer wishes to make another flight, he will place his AMA card behind the active card on the frequency control board, thus placing himself "back in line".
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Revised: 12/97, 7/99, 3/01, 1/02, 5/03, 7104, 1/11, 5/11
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