Good Morning Team,
Even though it seems as if we skipped it already, Welcome to SPRING! There is a chance for rain in the 10 day forecast, but once that happens, we will likely remain dry for several months. If we do get rain, please ensure you stay off of the runway until it is cleared by Dennis, or a qualified board member. Footprints/tracks left in the clay now could remain until November.
Following the rains in January, we had a few guests join us from the Chula Vista club, as their runway was washed out. One I remember in particular was a gentleman named Oswaldo. He had a few ducted fans with him and we chatted several times throughout the day as we were flying. On Facebook the next day he mentioned that while he enjoyed flying at our club, We had too many rules for him…
I am constantly asked by members to define what the RULES are for this and that, and in the end, there aren’t as many rules as some people think.
That started me thinking about what we actually have for “RULES”, what we have for “BEST PRACTICES”, and what we should share as “COMMON SENSE”.
As far as actual rules go, the rules at our field primarily coincide with the AMA Safety rules, FAA rules, and the rules of Mission Bay Park, such as: Do not operate under the influence of alcohol or drugs – Do not fly directly over unprotected people, moving vehicles, or occupied structures – No Flying in the Pit areas, or over the parking lot. – Maintain a minimum of 25 ft. distance from persons, pets, and/or wildlife. – Always yield right of way to all human carrying aircraft by reducing your models altitude to a maximum of 50 ft. – Maintain line of sight (visual contact) of your aircraft at all times – Spectators shall remain behind the designated safety line ( Fence line ). – Pilots should loudly announce take offs, landings, and emergency situations – FPV pilots must comply with AMA requirement to have a spotter with visual line of site – UAS Flight altitude is limited to 200 feet in our area – Each aircraft should be identified by the pilots FAA registration number, and Current AMA Member number – stay within our clubs FRIA boundaries as identified by signage at each flight station.
For best practices, we should: Determine what pattern others are flying to allow into the wind lift offs and landings. If you are not sure, ask. – Loudly announce our intentions to cross the runway, and when clear of it – Loudly announce your intentions if conducting a low altitude or high speed pass, which should be conducted at the far edge of the runway, not centerline. – If you are hovering ( without forward motion) in this area, YOU need to keep an eye out for planes in the pattern that are approaching. -Never taxi a model in the pit area. –
Finally, for common sense items, Please use the porta potty for its intended use. If it’s too far away, please park closer to it. Relieving yourself in the pit area will lead to expulsion from the club. – Keep the runway clear before and after your flight. If you set your plane on the runway – call “take off” and go, don’t let it sit. After you land, taxi it to you ( along the fence line) or walk to the gate nearest the plane, call “ON THE RUNWAY” and collect it. Leaving it sit while you are having a conversation in the pit area is not a good idea. – Don’t go to full throttle in the gate. Seems like a no-brainer, but people still do it and blow sand into everyone else’s vehicle. Finally, I know that tensions tend to rise after planes collide in the air. To avoid angry words, please give it some cooling off time before approaching the other pilot. We are mostly under a “gentlemen’s handshake” kind of agreement at the field. However, if you are openly flying without regard to others, you may be asked to replace an aircraft.
I’m sure that I have missed some things. If you would like to add some ideas, please do so at the end of the meeting at the field on the 28th.
This months Fun Fly at 10:00AM on the 28th will be the LIMBO. How Low Can You Go??!!
Jim also plans to do another Mini Bomb Drop event before the monthly meeting and PIZZA for lunch. See you there!!
Brad
