STANDING RULES OF THE ISOTOPES RADIO CONTROL FLYING CLUB

The Isotopes Radio Control Aircraft Club has adopted the following rules. The rules regarding flight operations will help govern activities at flying sites. While it is impossible to eliminate all risks associated with piloting a model aircraft, every club member must read and understand these rules to ensure we provide a safe environment to pursue our hobby.

It is important to remember to exercise courtesy toward your fellow modelers, and all the rules in the world cannot replace sound judgment and vigilance.

All individuals on the property will respect other individuals, their property, the flying field and family shelter facilities, the owner’s property and family, and in general conduct themselves in a respectful and honorable manner at all times.

SECTION ONE – CLUB AND FLYING SITE INFORMATION

Club Monthly Meeting Location, Time, Date:

The monthly meeting is held on the first Wednesday of each month.

At Kenergy, 3111 Fairview Drive, Owensboro, KY

6:30 PM Central Time.

Flying Field Location, Availability, and Special Conditions:

  1. The flying field is located at the Lampkin Farm, 8284 Short Station Road, Philpot, KY.
  2. GPS Coordinates N37.742850 W86.906061
  3. The field is available for open flying any day of the week that it is not in conflict with the owner’s private use or Tractor Pulling Association event.
  4. And it is NOT within 5 miles of an airport or landing pad.

Community-Based Organization

Our club and its membership are a qualified AMA Chartered Club and is considered a COMMUNITY-BASED organization with all the rights, privileges, and attributes of those designations.

THE CLUB’S Website and Facebook Pages:

  1. Website – www.owensbororcclub.org
  2. Facebook Page – Owensboro Isotopes RC Club

SECTION TWO – Flying Field Restrictions

The following activities are NOT permitted in any way, form, or manner:

  1. Alcohol or illegal drugs/substances are NOT allowed on the club flying field or the owner’s property.
  2. Individuals are NOT allowed to fly or spot in any capacity if under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs/substances, or under the influence of prescription medications that may affect or impair their judgment.

Any use or discovery of these substances or actions at the flying field will result in immediate loss of flying privileges and removal from the field and set in motion a grievance procedure and review of the individual’s actions by the club officers.

SECTION THREE – Club Membership Annual Dues

The annual membership dues/fees will be established for each member category as follows:

  1. Adult (19 years and older) $60.00
  2. Youth (under 19 years old) FREE
  3. Associate or Patron (limited privileges) FREE

SECTION FOUR – GENERAL SAFETY RULES

The rules listed below apply to all club members, all visiting flyers, guests flyer, guests, and the general public:

  1. All club members, guest flyers, event flyers, and other individuals operating model aircraft at the flying field will be a current AMA member in good standing. The ONLY exception to this rule is if the visiting individual is under the AMA Introductory Pilot Program and is being instructed by one of the club’s designated pilot instructors listed at the Club or AMA websites.
  2. Individuals who are not current club members in good standing and DO NOT have a valid and current AMA membership are NOT permitted to fly anywhere on the field.
  3. All flying will take place ONLY in the club designated areas and will not be conducted on the owner’s adjoining property.
  4. A club member that is not listed on the Charter Club Roster at the AMA is not permitted to fly at the field; see the posted local flight privilege roster and AMA roster for added information.
  5. Every flying individual and spotter, if used, is responsible for reviewing and adhering to ALL applicable AMA safety, instructional, and permit documents for the type(s) of model aircraft/sUAS they own, operate and maintain, and the type(s) of flying mode (forms) such as park flyer, FPV, 3D, sport, pattern, combat, racing, turbine, large model, giant scale, etc. they fly at the field. 
  6. All flight operations will be conducted in adherence to the official AMA National Model Aircraft Safety Code.
  7. All First-Person View (FPV) flying will comply with the AMA’s latest FPV rules, guidelines, recommendations, and safety documents; for reference, see AMA document #550. All pilots must review and be familiar with the AMA website’s applicable and most recent documents and revisions for the type/style of flying and type of aircraft you are piloting. All flight operations will be conducted in adherence to the official AMA National Model Aircraft Safety Code.
  8. Failure to follow the documents mentioned above will lead to a loss of flying privileges and loss of good standing in the club.
  9. The club practices Know Before You Fly at the field. Pilots and spotters should check out the website as needed: http://knowbeforeyoufly.org/.
  10. CLUB AIR ALERT NOTICE: There are from time to time full-size aircraft passing over the field and flying at various altitudes and speeds – always practice “see and avoid” procedures at all times. Report any close encounter with a full-size aircraft immediately to the club Safety Officer and President. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action.
  11. INJURY or EVENT: Should an individual be injured for any reason or should an accident cause property damage (no matter how minor), both the originating or and/or affected individual(s) will report the injury and/or event to club’s President and Safety Officer (coordinator) immediately.
  12. Should any disagreement arise at the field between club members or any other person regarding these standing rules, guidelines, and regulations, the Safety Officer will decide what is in the club’s best interest and determine how to proceed. If the Safety Officer is NOT available and CAN NOT be reached, the most senior club officer available will make the decision. If no officer can be reached, the activity of concern and question WILL IMMEDIATELY END AND NOT PROCEED until a review of the issue at hand can occur at the next monthly club meeting. Officer contact protocol (1. Safety Officer, 2. President, 3. Vice President, 4. Secretary, 5. Treasurer)
  13. The club has a guest flyer policy that is self-administered by the individual and attending charter club member invoking the policy to fly at the field.
    1. A new guest flyer to the flying field with a valid and current AMA adult or youth membership may fly four times (days) at the field with an attending charter club member present at all times, i.e., for four consecutive or four individual days before joining the club. This is a one-time privilege extended to the guest flyer by the club.
    2. This guest privilege is suspended for specially designated club events and club fun-flies.
    3. The guest flyer and attending charter club member must both register EACH visit at the bulletin board and furnish the requested information to start and maintain guest privileges. Failure to register will negate ALL future flying guest privileges immediately.
    4. The guest flyer will read and adhere to the club’s standing rules before flying at the field.
    5. This is a privilege, and if abused by a guest flyer or attending charter club member, it can be terminated at will for any reason by any officer of the club at any time.
    6. If the guest flyer’s AMA membership terminates for any reason, then the guest flying privilege terminates immediately as well.  
  14. All multi-rotor drone racing in classes 150 mm and 250 mm will comply with the AMA’s latest Multi-rotor Club Sport Racing Recommendations latest revision; for reference, see AMA document #540-E. Drone racing above the 250 mm class is currently not allowed at the flying field.
  15. All multi-rotor drone racing will be conducted in the designated race area.
  16. All FPV and multi-rotor flying (excludes racing) must be conducted from the regular flight stations or designated area.

SECTION FIVE – FLIGHT and EQUIPMENT RULES

  1. All radio transmitting equipment must be FCC approved. This includes all radio control transmitters, all FPV transmitters, transmitting data receivers, transmitting cameras, etc. 
  2. Aircraft control transmitters that are not narrowband compliant will not be allowed to operate at the club field.
  3. Individuals using 72 MHZ transmitters must check with any other pilots using 72 MHZ transmitters to coordinate use between the individuals prior to using the frequency for any purpose. If coordination is not possible, then the 72 MHZ systems will not be used for any reason at the field.
  4. Mufflers are required on all 2-cycle engines larger than .15 cubic inch displacement.
  5. Aircraft engines may be started at the pit area and taxied to the pilot line (away from the flight’s spectator line). Care must be taken to ensure prop blast toward the spectators and fellow modelers are kept to a minimum.
  6. Upon completion of the flight, the aircraft engine will be shut down at the pilot line, and the model will be carried or pulled back to the pits. The individual operating the model will NOT taxi towards the spectators or spectator area. The pilot will avoid taxiing toward the pit area as well. 
  7. The flight pattern will be established with all takeoffs and landings made into the prevailing wind. The only exception to this rule is if the aircraft is “dead-stick” or there is an emergency, and the controllability of the aircraft is in question. On calm wind days, all takeoffs and landings will be made to the south (from left to right). 
  8. Unnecessary flying of any aircraft over the spectators, sheds, pits, pilot stations, or parking area for any reason is prohibited.
  9. During takeoff and landing operations, all intentions shall be announced to make your fellow flyers aware. This will include the following:
    1. “Taking-off’ – when you are taking the runway for takeoff.
    2. “Landing” – when ready to land, stop, and taxi.
    3. “Touch-n-go” – when you intend to do a touch-n-go landing without full stop.
    4. “On the field” – when it is necessary for someone to cross the runway.
    5. “Dead-stick” – when your engine has stopped, and landing is imminent.
    6. “Heads-up” – if your aircraft malfunctions and controllability is in question.
  10. “Dead-stick” and “Heads–up” aircraft will have the right-away over all other aircraft, and other flyers should give-way to the disabled aircraft.
  11. Excluding designated takeoffs and landings or emergencies, ALL general flying, hovering, aerobatic flying, FPV, high speed, and low passes WILL ONLY take place in the area to the east side of the runway. The runway and area immediately above the runway are for takeoff and landing operations only. Anyone NOT following this will be subject to losing their flying privileges and good standing in the club.

SECTION SIX – CLUB GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

The grievance procedure provides a mechanism to enforce the standing and safety rules, manage abusive conduct, eliminate alcohol and controlled substances at the field, and any other event/activity/action that may prove detrimental to the club, its membership, the landowner(s), flying visitors, spectators, and the general public by providing a progressive disciplinary system when needed.

 Although most complaints can be resolved informally, if a complaint is serious or cannot be resolved informally, the matter should be referred to the club officers for consideration by means of a grievance form to be completed and turned into the Secretary.

The Grievance form is available from the Secretary upon request. It must be completed and signed by the Originator and at least one witness who observed and was present during the alleged incident to start the grievance procedure.

END OF STANDING RULES