Grassfield RC Club Field Rules

 

MANDATORY

  • You must understand and follow current AMA rules and guidelines
  • Current AMA, Grassfield RC Club Membership is required.
  • FAA Registration is required.

MEMBERSHIP CARD

  • Members must either wear or have their current Grassfield Membership Card VISIBLE WHILE FLYING. Please attach your membership card to your clothing or transmitter strap and insure it is visible while you are flying.
  • Members who fly using FM radio channels: Please place your membership card on the Frequency Board at the number that corresponds to the appropriate frequency.

HOURS FOR FLYING

  • Grassfield open flying hours for club members:
    • Monday-Saturday
      • Electric aircraft under 60 inches, up to 4S battery : 8am – Sunset
      • Gas, Glow and all electric aircraft: 10am – Sunset (Electric night flying allowed with AMA approved lighting)
    • Sundays
      • Electric aircraft under 60 inches, up to 4S battery: 8am – Sunset
      • Gas, Glow and all electric aircraft: 12 noon – Sunset (Electric night flying allowed with AMA approved lighting)
      • Please respect the churches next to the field

 

Early morning electric flying is limited to electric powered aircraft of 60” or less and 4S or smaller batteries. Absolutely NO giant scale electric aircraft or gas/glow powered aircraft flying during this time. 

Night flying after sunset is permitted provided: The aircraft is equipped with anti-collision lighting that can be seen from 3 statute miles away unless it posed a hazard or distraction to the operator. Other lighting must be used in such a way that allows you to determine attitude and direction of flight. Handheld illumination is not allowed. https://www.modelaircraft.org/sites/default/files/documents/AMA_Night_Training.pdf

GENERAL FIELD RULES

  • ALL flyers must observe the NO-FLY ZONES, and the FRIA BOUNDARYS. Do not fly over ROADS, HIGHWAYS, HWYS 610 and 169 or buildings.
  • Do not fly over PIT AND SPECTATOR AREAS. Keep you models in front of the orange safety barriers and flight line.
  • While flying, stand behind the orange safety barriers. Do not stand in front of or on the taxiways. Exception to this rule is Pylon racing and Combat flying where pilots may stand on the field for these events.
  • Combat flying will be conducted on the south side of the field and avoid flying over the runway and taxiways.
  • When other pilots are flying, conform to the current flight pattern. This is especially important for TAKE OFF and LANDING. Announce in a loud voice your intentions ie: “TAKING OFF (direction of take-off) LANDING (direction of landing), DEAD-STICK, ON THE FIELD, AIRCRAFT OUT OF CONTROL” etc.
  • After your flight, taxi your aircraft back to the safety line and shut your aircraft down. Gas and Glow aircraft = Engine(s) shut down, Electric aircraft = Battery(s) disconnected.

Taxiing past the safety line and into the Pit area is strictly prohibited.  For flight line safety, taxiing your aircraft through the Pit area out to the flight line will not be allowed. Strict adherence to this safety rule is everyone’s responsibility.

 

TRAINING

  • Tuesday is our designated training day. Please allow students and instructors extra airspace to fly. Please set a good example by paying special attention to club rules and safety procedures. Please be friendly, helpful and courteous to newcomers. Everyone was a beginner once.
  • New Members and beginners must fly with instructors until they can demonstrate they know and understand the club rules and are proficient and safe.

GAS AND GLOW AIRCRAFT

  •  Starting and running up of gas and glow aircraft will be conducted in designated areas only. Static run-ups for tuning and testing should be done in remote areas, south of the parking / shelter area to avoid the possibility of hurting bystanders.  Starting of large aircraft should be forward of the start line on either side of the Pit.
  • Mufflers are required on engines .19 cid and larger. 

ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT

  • Electric aircraft should be armed at the flight line. Please refrain from arming electric models at the tables behind the pit area and flight line. Carry your aircraft to the safety line, then plug the battery in.  The use of programed THROTTLE CUT is strongly recommended. 

FLYING ETIQUETTE

  • All members should treat fellow members and guests with respect.
  • If you witness someone breaking the rule, please discuss the infraction kindly with them when they have finished their flight.
  • Shouting and engaging in arguments will not be tolerated. It is everyone’s responsibility to follow the rules and remind those who are not.  Should you feel someone is not listening or is being dangerous, please use the grievance form on the website and bring it to the attention of the Safety Officer(s) and/or Club Officers.  There is a grievance process to resolve such issues.
  • There are 5 flight line pilot stations. Maximum of 5 aircraft in the air at one time.  Spotters are encouraged when there are more than 2 aircraft in the air. Spotters are required when there are 5 aircraft in the air. (Exception: Pylon and Combat flying)
  • Be courteous and take turns flying. During busy times please allow others the ability to fly in between your flights.  Please limit the duration of your flights to 6-10 min. during busy times.
  • Helicopter and small flat foamy pilots are encouraged to use the area south of the parking lot (southwest corner of field) to fly and practice hovering/3D, especially during busy periods. Flying helicopters and small foam aircraft in the pattern is acceptable.

FIELD ETIQUETTE

  •  We are able to fly at Grassfield due to the generosity of the landowners. Please treat the surrounding area with the utmost respect. This includes the parking lot, the field, cropland and buildings.  If you must retrieve your model from cropland, please use care to not trample and destroy the crops.  Please dispose of trash and garbage appropriately. If garbage cans are full, please take your garbage home with you. Please take destroyed airplanes home with you.  Please DO NOT burn them in the fire pit.  Please dispose of your tobacco products properly in the provided containers.

GUEST RULES

 SPECTATORS

  • Grassfield RC Club welcomes spectators during normal flying hours. Please be courteous and welcoming.  They are often very interested in airplanes and RC flying. When possible, engage them and answer questions they may have.
  • Spectators are not permitted past the chain link fence, or onto the field unless escorted by a club member. 

GUEST PILOTS

  • Guest pilots must possess a valid AMA membership to be eligible to fly.
  • Guest pilots must be accompanied by a club host.
  • Guest pilots are allowed a maximum of two (2) visits. Events are not included in maximum visits.
  • Guest pilots who do not possess a valid AMA membership are not permitted to fly unless they fly with a qualified AMA instructor VIA a Buddy Box. The instructor must be able to take control of the aircraft at any time.  Passing a transmitter back and forth is not permitted.

Violators of these rules may face revocation of club privileges or expulsion.  The Safety Officer(s) shoulder the responsibility to ensure safe flying at the field, however, safety is everyone’s responsibility. Please direct comments, questions and concerns to the Safety Officer(s).