Safety

 Updated January 9, 2013

1. Only members and guests of the Saint Louis Radio Control Flying Association with current Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) membership cards are permitted to fly at this site.
2. Pilots shall not fly new or rebuilt model aircraft until the aircraft has been inspected and approved by two other club members.
3. Only narrow banded Radio Control systems are permitted to operate at this flying site and all pilots will have completed a successful radio equipment ground check before the first flight of a new or repaired model.  (It is suggested that each day prior to flying, ground checks are conducted and that prior to each flight transmitter/receiver function be verified.)
4. All piston engines are required to have a muffler.  All engines except turbines shall not exceed a sound limit level of  96 decibels (measure from 25 feet perpendicular to the aircraft on a hard surface). Do not rip the prop.
5. All NEW Members are subject to a proficiency test.
6. Takeoffs, and Landings are to be permitted on the paved or grass runways only.  Taxiing out to the runways is permitted, provided it’s past the white lines at either end or center of the taxiway.  Pilots must stand at a pilot station.
7. All helicopters must be carried to and from the runway or hovering area.  All hovering shall be conducted in a designated hovering area and forward pattern flight is not permitted from the hovering area.
8. Positively no flying over the pilot side of the runway, pit area, spectators or parking area.  Landing out of pattern is permitted only in cases of emergency.
9. Low altitude, high speed passes are only permitted beyond an imaginary line represented by the outer edge of the asphalt runway.
10. 72MHz, 27Mhz, 50 and 54 MHz Operation:
    
    • All pilots must display the proper numbered frequency on the transmitter and your membership card must cover the corresponding frequency number on the frequency control board when the transmitter is in use.
    • When not in use, transmitters or their removable modules must be placed in the impound.  Prior to removing a transmitter or module from the impound area; the membership card must be placed over the frequency number.  When sharing a frequency, a transmitter’s on time is limited to twenty minutes.  After this, the frequency must be surrendered and the radio returned to the impound.  After replacing the transmitter in the impound area, the membership card should be removed from the frequency control board. 
11. 2.4GHz Operation:
    
    • All pilots must place their membership card on the 2.4GHz pins of the control board when flying.
12. Regardless of the operating frequency, no more than six aircraft are allowed to fly at one time.
13. Piston and turbine engines are not permitted to run before 9:30AM.
    
14. The Official AMA rules and regulation shall be applicable to all flying activities at this field.  In situations where specific guidance is not provided, sound judgment and common sense shall prevail.
    
15. Repeated failure to comply with these rules and regulations by any member may result in termination of their membership in the Saint Louis Radio Control Flying Association pending a hearing by the Board of Directors of this Association.  Process begins with a letter issued to the offender, member signs and returns the letter. Second infraction mandatory suspension or expulsion from SLRCFA to be determined by the SLRCFA Board of Directors.
    
16. If other people are flying, the established pattern must be followed.  Takeoffs and landings will be all in the same direction unless the wind changes and all pilots agree to reverse the pattern.
    
17. All dogs should be on a leash when brought out to the field in accordance with St. Louis County Ordinances.
    

Author: Jonathan Hendrickson

After an exceptionally long winter many of us need a little refresher on runway communication and protocol. This system keeps our pilots and aircraft safe and prioritizes runway use.

Runway Communications are verbal announcements required to be used between you and any other pilots anytime you or your aircraft enters the runway area (grass or paved). 

• "Coming out" as you prepare to place your aircraft on the runway or taxing to the runway. 
• "Taking Off" aircraft is on the runway and ready for takeoff roll.
• "Setting up to land" as you begin your downwind leg gives others time to clear the area for you. 
• "Landing" as you are on final approach. 
• "On the runway" if your aircraft stops dead on the runway. 
• "Off on the far side" if your aircraft veers off on the side away from the pilots'stations 
• "Crossing the runway" Anytime you have to cross the runway (in either direction). 
• "Runway clear" after you have retrieved your errant aircraft, or if it has been taxied off the runway on the pit side. 
• ·       "Dead stick" when your engine dies while in the air. Other pilots will pass this announcement down the line as it is a signal for everyone to immediate clear the runway. 
• "Touch and go" or "Slow fly-by" (note that high speed low passes and acrobatics over the runway when other pilots are at stations are forbidden-these may only be performed out past the runway over the grass). 
• Aircraft down..... ''(followed by the general area). 
• "Don’t have it" The pilot will announce that he has a problem as soon as possible, other observers may be able to get a fix on the plane if it goes down. If you do get a fix, such as a certain tree, etc., do not move.  Call for another person to stand beside you and show them the point you fixed on. Even turning around and back can lose the fix.

Most SLRCFA members are fluent in runway communication, but new members and guest may need a little help.

Runway Protocol/Priorities allow multiple aircraft operating in close airspace to land and/or maneuver on or over the runway in an orderly and safe manor.  This list below is in order of priority.

1. Declared “dead stick” landing has priority over all other flight activities. The runway must be cleared for him. If more than one happens at the same time, generally, the first declared has the right-of -way, or he may yield to a lower other aircraft at his discretion. 
   
2. Declared “equipment problem” and needing to land ASAP.
   
3. Declared normal “landing.” 
   
4. Declared “touch and go.” 
   
5. Declared “take off.”
   
6. Declared “slow fly-by.”
   

High speed low-passes over the paved runway are never allowed and must be performed past the far edge of the paved runway.

Hovering over the paved or grass runway is NEVER allowed while there is an established pattern. If there is no established pattern or you are the only pilot flying, you may hover no closer to the pilot’s stations than the paved runway center line. However, if you are the only pilot flying and all other pilots present approve, you may move from the pilot’s station to get closer to your aircraft.

If more than one pilot is flying, the established pattern must be followed.  Takeoffs and landings will be all in the same direction unless the wind changes and all pilots agree to reverse the pattern.