TRI VALLEY R C MODELERS ELKS FIELD FLYING SITE RULES The objective of these Club rules is to extend the privilege of enjoying the R C hobby to all members and authorized guests, with maximum emphasis on SAFETY and control. Nothing herein should overrule common sense and courtesy. Follow these rules, and you will save your hobby, save your airplane and maybe save someone from serious injury. Protect your right to fly! 1. The entry gate #3 will be unlocked by the first CLUB MEMBER to arrive at the field. The gate will be left open until the last CLUB MEMBER departs the field, at which time the last remaining member will make sure that all visitors and guests have departed the site and then secure the gate. Non club members may use the site as long as they have a CURRENT AMA membership and a club member is present. Do not share the combo with non club members! 2. Prior to the first flight of the day, call the Santa Maria Airport Control Tower at 925-5380, and announce that “flight operations are beginning at the Elks RC field”. Call the control tower again when the last pilot has finished flying, and announce that “flight operations at the Elks RC field have ceased”. This procedure is to be followed each time flight operations begin and end, even on the same day. 3. These rules are supplemental to All AMA rules and guidelines which will be followed and enforced. 4. Flying is not permitted unless there are at least two people present, one as the pilot and the other as the observer. If only two pilots are present they are to take turns flying so that there is always an observer. 5. There will be NO consumption of alcohol by pilots during flying operations. No pilot may fly after taking prescribed medication that might impair abilities. 6. During fueling operations, some sort of recovery system will be used to prevent fuel spillage from the tank overflow to the ground. 7. Standard flying ops will be from 08:00 AM until dusk depending on visibility and wind conditions. 8. There will be NO, low, high speed passes down the runway while other pilots are on the FLIGHTLINE - unless agreed upon by the other said pilots! 9. There will be a maximum of 5 aircraft in the air at any one time. Exceptions during contests or air shows as the CD (contest director) directs. 10. All aircraft engines are required to be muffled and meet a noise limit of 96 dBA or less at 3 meters (9 feet); measured according to AMA noise guide lines and procedures. (Note: 98 dBA at twenty five (25) feet for IMAC and other very large airplanes.)

11. Young children shall not be allowed in the pit area if not closely and continuously supervised by the parent. Do not allow young children to wander unescorted at any time. 12. All pilots must use the pilot boxes while flying. No standing on the runway! Pilots must also call out his/her intentions loudly (take off, landing, dead stick, etc.) so the other active pilots can hear and acknowledge the intention. “Dead Stick” landings have TOP priority! The airborne traffic pattern shall be dependent upon wind direction. 13. Take-offs and landings will be into the wind and will be governed by the wind direction as indicated by the wind sock. The prevailing wind blows from west to east so take-offs and landings will usually be to the west. Flyers should generally fly an oval pattern along the outer perimeter of the field NORTH of the runway and aerobatics should be performed in the center of the flying area. Pilots should observe a 400 foot flying ceiling as much as practical. 14. No flying is permitted at anytime over the pit area or designated spectator areas. The first violation of this rule will receive a warning from the safety officer. A second violation shall be reason for suspension from flying for that day. Turns after take-off and approaches for landings shall be conducted in such a manner to prevent flight over the pit, spectator or parking areas. 15. Absolutely no flying is allowed over the Elks storage, maintenance or work areas to the west of the field and no flying over the adjoining farmland is allowed when workers are present. 16. Hand launching of airplanes will be done upwind, generally to the west of the pilots stations, and any pilots flying should be warned on the impending launch. There shall be no flying over the extended pit area to the west of the pilot stations except for hand launches. 17. All rotary winged aircraft will be flown at the designated helicopter flying area at the west end of the parking lot. The flight corridor will be over the Elks parking lot, between the access road and the extended line of the safety fence. At no time, except during planned exhibitions and when NO fixed winged aircraft are in use, will rotary winged aircraft be flown over the runway. 18. Flying operations may be suspended by the safety officer in the event of a crash or downed aircraft in the immediate area of the runway to insure the safety of persons recovering the downed aircraft. Aircraft remaining in the air will have precedence over downed aircraft for recovery. 19. Pilots should limit their flights to no more than 15 minutes per flight. 20. The club will maintain a transmitter impound rack at the flying field (pit area) in order to control frequency usage on 72 MHz and 6 Meters. Frequency control will be accomplished by placing a current AMA card or a copy of same on the frequency control board over the channel number of the transmitter. This rule will be strictly adhered to for 72 MHz and 6 Meter radio operations including pit area tune-up or adjustments. When only two (2) pilots are flying, transmitter impounding may be dispensed with by mutual agreement. When a third pilot arrives

it will be considered proper and REQUIRED by these operations rules to establish transmitter impounding and frequency control. 21. Student pilots must fly with an instructor at all times until fully qualified. (at least level 2) 22. All aircraft will be required to have full identification as per the AMA rulebook. 23. Spectators are allowed in the pit area ONLY when invited by a club member. 24. Engines must be started on the designated starting tables except that aircraft too large for the tables will be started on the ground; see rule 24. There will be no starting of engines in the pits and NO TAXIING in the pit area. 25. A tail hook, tether, wing block or some similar device should always be used when starting your engine to make certain the aircraft does not suddenly move forward and cause injury. You should never stand in front of the engine when it is running. A helper is strongly recommended. 26. Breaking-in or tuning of engines should be done in the designated area away from the pits. 27. Access road speed between the entrance and the flying area is ten (10) miles per hour. In and around the pit and parking area is five (5) mph. 28. All vehicles will be parked in the designated parking area after equipment is unloaded. There will be No parking in the pit area. 29. No littering, use the provided trash containers to keep the flying site clean. Bring it in take it out! 30. Only persons actively participating in flight operations are to be in the area designated as the flight line! 31. A non-member will be allowed to fly as our guest only after his aircraft and flying capability is checked by an instructor level pilot (level 3) and he or she has a current AMA card. 32. A pre-flight check of a NEW or REBUILT aircraft must be performed prior to flight. This must be in the presence of a person that has the experience with that type of aircraft. 33. The field MAY be closed to all flying when there is a function at the rodeo grounds. IF IN QUESTION CONCERNING THESE RULES, PLEASE CONSULT WITH A CLUB OFFICER OR ANY MEMBER OF THE CLUB’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE A MODEL. The field safety officer or ANY club member shall have the authority to enforce these safety rules, in most cases, a simple warning will do. Revised August 2014