Section one - Club Rules & BMFA Safety Rules version 2.2 (31.5.9)

1.1 All members must have BMFA insurance through SCMFC, another club or by direct membership of the BMFA. The club Secretary in the last two cases will require proof of membership of the BMFA.

1.2 Models shall be flown in accordance with the Rules and recommendations as detailed in the current BMFA Handbook. Models must be soundly constructed and suitable for the type of flying intended.

1.3 Only equipment operating at frequencies and power levels specified by the Home Office are permitted. For the 35MHz & 2.4 GHz equipment, only type-approved (CE) equipment may be used.

1.4 The take-off and landing area is permanently fixed. Before an aircraft is placed into position for take off, the pilot should ensure that no other aircraft is about to turn onto the landing approach.

1.5 Beginners must be constantly supervised whilst flying, by a competent member of the club. A club test and sign off is required before Solo flight is permitted. Instructors shall be responsible for flight safety during training. They must take any action necessary to avoid danger or infringement of club rules. Instructors must avoid distraction by any third parties.

1.6 Planes must not be made to fly over the pits, people, buildings and parked cars.

1.7 Pilots must call "landing" when intending to land and must ensure the chosen landing area is clear of people. Landing aircraft have priority, dead stick aircraft having absolute priority. When retrieving a model from the flying patch, stop the engine and retract the transmitter aerial. A verbal notification must be given to other flyers that you are retrieving the model. When collecting, look out for dead stick aircraft.

1.8 After take-off, pilots must clear the flying area immediately and join the other pilots in the designated pitts area.

1.9 No more than six aircraft can be airborne at one time.

1.10 The pegboard is permanently available. It is located next to the windsock. It must be used at all times. A peg with your name and frequency number must be attached to the appropriate tag before switching on. There is a space to put 2.4 GHz pegs, which are still required.

1.11 Models must not be flown within a suggested distance of 150 yards of the main road (A11) (Unless in exceptional circumstances of safety). This distance is specified with a fluorescent marked board.

1.12 Models must not be flown too far to the south, near the farm and cottages.

1.13 All fixed wing power models must have a blunt nosed spinner - with a minimum radius of 7.5mm.

1.14 The committee has decided that from 1.11.2001, fixed wing and helicopters will not fly together at the same time. Fixed wing and heli pilots must inform each other of their intention to fly. This is for the benefit of both parties.

1.15 The committee has decided that all pilots MUST fly from the designated 'Pits & Pilot' area at all times. The only exceptions being:

a) Helicopter pilots may prefer to walk with their model out on the patch, when they are in their slot.

Note: For the safety of all members, the committee has decided that at organised events, such as monthly meets, all flying, including helicopters, must be from the designated pits and pilot area.

1.16 Any act of unsafe flying that endangers the safety of any visitor or member of SCFMC will result in that persons immediate expulsion from the site with no financial compensation..

1.17 Any act of aggression to any members or visitor to SCMFC will result in immediate expulsion from the site with no financial compensation.

1.18 Visitors to the site must keep a look out for low flying aircraft at all times. It is the duty of every member to call out 'Low Aircraft' to pilots. When a low aircraft could be approaching the site, pilots must either land or fly below 100 feet.

1.19 SITE CLOSURES - No member may fly at or visit the club flying field on Duxford airshow days. This includes small models and helicopters. There are approximately ten airshows per year. These days can be found on this website under the 'Closed Dates' link. When flying on days either side of airshows, members must pay particular attention to aircraft arriving at and leaving Duxford War Museum.

Note: As of June 2010 the BMFA have been notified that the site will close on main Duxford airshow days as a safety issue. The closure of the site is no longer just a local rule, but a BMFA notified rule. The club has been advised that if a member is found to be in breach of the rule it should be classed as gross misconduct, immediate dismissal without warnings may be considered (without financial remuneration of fees part or full) but the member must still be accorded his rights to present his case to the Committee and be given a right of appeal. Note: The club will make efforts to advise the members of closed dates but this may not always be possible so the responsibility to be aware of the closed dates remains that of the member.

1.20 It has been decided by the committee that from 1.1.05 there will be a 10 mph maximum speed limit when driving on farm land, from the farm house to the flying field. This will especially apply when approaching the patch. Any member who is observed to ignore this rule will be warned in the first instance.

1.21 All members are required to carry their own first aid kit in their car. They are available from organisations such as Boots for less that £10.00 . Also all members are advised to carry a fire extinguisher at the site. Any member that visits the site with either a Gas Turbine or Petrol model is required to carry a fire extinguisher in their car and have it ready when starting models. (For emergency use there is a fire extinguisher located in the removable panel at the front of the caravan above the towing frame, but this could be stolen at any time so don't rely on this.)

1.22 Aircraft may taxi out of the pits area but should not taxi back through the pits / pilot area to the flight box during organised events.

Gas Turbine Special Notes

1.1 All Turbine models must fly within club rules and be consistent with those dictated by the JMA. Specifically fast turbine flypasts must be no closer to the pilot, pits area or car park than 30 horizontal metres. For example the ditch to the North of the patch is approximately 30 metres.

1.2 Model Turbines must be started outside of the pits area in a designated area.

1.3 Any member that visits the site with a Turbine model is required to carry a fire extinguisher (appropriate type) in their car and have it ready at the flying area when starting models.

1.4 A minimum of two people is desirable at the site when flying, one to be responsible for the fire extinguisher.

1.5 There will be no flying of Turbines whilst there is ripened standing crops surrounding the flying area.

TO SEE ALL JMA RULES

General

2.1 Engines must be silenced in accordance with current BMFA regulations for noise emission.

2.2 Running-in or prolonged testing of engines may be carried out at the flying site; as long as noise levels do not exceeded BMFA regulations.

2.3 When flying over farmland, ideally only one person at a time is to retrieve any model from crops to minimise damage.

2.4 If a member or guest should directly cause damage to another person's model or property, they will be held financially responsible for the damage incurred.

2.5 Members flying at all club sites must conduct themselves in an orderly manner and leave no litter (including broken propellers etc.). Common sense and courtesy should be displayed at all times.

2.6 Serious incidents occurring on the field must be reported to the Secretary or other committee member as soon as possible. This is essential where injuries are involved.

2.7 Members are advised to read their BMFA handbook at least once a year. The handbook covers many important points.

2.8 From time to time a Committee member may be forced to make rulings directly affecting flyers on the field if he/she feels that an infringement of the rules or the spirit of the rules has been committed. In his or her absence every member is considered to be a representative. Rulings may include:
· A: Failure to follow club rules
· B: "Grounding" of non-air-worthy planes
· C: "Grounding" of noisy aircraft.

It is acknowledged that (c) includes a subjective assessment of noise level, but as for all other decisions, the Committee's decision is final. In an extreme case of infringement a member may, for example, be called to committee meeting to discuss the issue.

2.9 Power Flying times at SCMFC is limited by the committee to a 9.00 a.m. start and a half-hour before sunset finish.

2.10 No flying will be conducted above a perceived height of 600 feet above ground level. It is reminded that no model of 7 Kg or more, should be flown above 400 feet ground level. (CAA rules!)

2.11 It is reminded that members must carry BMFA insurance cards and club I.D. parking permits when at the site, for identification purposes.

2.12 No member will drive their car in the 'Pits' area under any circumstances. There is a car park area to the South of the pits. If the field is wet, then park on the access track to the right hand side.

2.13 The committee recommend that lost model indicators are used when at the site during summer months.

2.14 The committee has decided that from 1.1.2005 junior members and vulnerable adults must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who is a club member when at our flying site. A junior member is any member under the age of 18.

2.15 Finally: Any decision made by the committee is final.

We must point out that all of the above is based on common sense. It is the duty of all members to follow this common sense. We have an impeccable record so far and attribute this to members following our guidelines.

2.16 The grass at the club field will be cut eight times per year.

FLYING

18. The Committee, (Officers) and Instructors, will be responsible for the running of the flying field at all times. Appointment to the position of Instructor or Examiner can only be made by a Committee decision.

20. All flying members must attain the minimum standards of flying required under the scmfc training scheme before receiving the BMFA 'A' Certificate and before being allowed to fly indirectly supervised.

21. Any member whose flying standards drop below the minimum requirement solo standard will be required to rejoin the training scheme until the desired standards of flying are met.

BMFA ADDITIONAL FIELD / SAFETY RULES

1. All fliers must observe field discipline and comply with the Air Navigation Order, all relevant BMFA safety codes as contained within the BMFA Members' Handbook and Civil Aviation publication (CAP) 658.

2. On matters of field safety needing an immediate decision, the responsibility lies with instructors, a member of the Executive Committee or two committee members, in that order. Any instructions must be accepted without dissent. However, should a member believe the instructions to be wrong, then he should bring this to the attention of the Committee through Article 15 of the Constitution.

3. Any pilot not holding their solo qualification for the type of aircraft they are flying must not fly without the supervision of an instructor or their specially appointed deputy if the instructors are absent from the field. If no instructors are present at the site, any member holding the BMFA 'B' Certificate may act as an appointed deputy until an instructor arrives.

4. Due consideration must be given at all times to trainee or novice pilots in the circuit. In the event that the pleasure or concentration of a pilot is affected by the flying style of another, precedence will be given to the pilot who was airborne first. Intimidating flying of any sort is not permitted.

5. No more than 6 aircraft shall be airborne at any one time.

6. All flying is to be done in the designated areas only.

7. All fliers must observe the established flight line and stand in the designated area whilst flying. Any spectators must remain in the pits area whilst flying is in progress.

8. Any person wishing to enter or cross the runway area must seek clearance from any pilots flying at the time before doing so.

9. All vehicles must be parked in the designated area only.

11. All transmitters are to be checked on at least an annual basis. Any transmitter found to be crossing over onto other channels is not to be used until the fault has been rectified.

12. Before switching on, the pilot must ensure that he is operating on the frequency he believes he is on and must display the appropriate frequency pennant on his transmitter.

13. Frequency numbers must be called out before the transmitter in question is switched on.

14. All transmitter aerials must remain retracted unless the model is being flown. The flight is defined from the point of release to when the engine is stopped or the model is restrained.

15.

16. Should an aircraft go out of control, the first priority must be the safety of persons with the second being avoidance of damage to property. A warning is to be shouted by the pilot, which is to be taken up by other members.

17. In the event of an unexplained loss of control of a model, all transmitters are to be impounded and checked to ensure they are operating on their declared frequency.

18. Before starting an engine the model must be suitably restrained either by a tether or by an assistant.

19. In the interest of safety, assistance should be sought when running up engines and taking models to the runway for take-off. All helpers must have BMFA membership.

20. Appropriate use should be made of all available pit area, and under no circumstances should engines be set up in the immediate vicinity of the pilots who are flying at that time. Where practical, models should face outward from the pit area.

21. Under no circumstances must an engine be run unless all persons are behind the line of the propeller with the exception of the person starting the engine. When carrying out power checks all persons including the pilot are to be behind the line of the propeller.

22. Models having their engines run in on the ground must not be left unattended whilst the engine is running.

23. All new or repaired models should be checked out by an instructor or their appointed deputy before being allowed to fly. All models are subject to random safety spot checks, which will be carried out by an instructor. If in his opinion a model is unsafe to fly or does not conform to Club rules, it will be grounded until rectified.

24. Members must ensure that they comply with the D of E Noise Code for the Minimisation of Noise from Model Aircraft. "Add on" silencers and "quiet" propellers should be fitted unless the model emits below 82 decibels at 7 metres without them. Notwithstanding if in the opinion of the Committee a model is excessively noisy in the air, then it is to be grounded until rectified.

25. All operational failsafes in use on powered models operated from our Club site must set the throttle to tick-over, not hold, (stopped in the case of electric power) regardless of the other control operations governed by the failsafe. Particular care must be taken when operating on Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) or when swapping from normal modulation (PPM) to PCM to ensure that the Failsafe is correctly programmed. Failsafes are to be checked prior to flight by switching the transmitter off whilst the model is restrained.

26. No person shall attempt to retrieve a model from any land adjacent to the flying site without prior consultation with the appointed safety officers (committee member) for the day (if at the site), to ensure that the situation is properly assessed and minimal disruption caused. If it is considered by the safety officers that the landowner's permission should be sought before retrieving the model, it will be the owner of the model and one of the safety officers who must approach them for permission.

27. Mobile telephones should not be kept in close proximity to computerised transmitters and must not be taken onto the flight line.

28. No smoking is permitted in the vicinity of inflammable fuels and materials.

29. Children must be closely supervised at all times and must not be allowed to run around the pit area or runways.

30. No dogs are allowed at the flying field.

31. Any accident involving a third party or another member must be reported to the clubs BMFA Delegate as soon as possible, who will then inform the Executive Committee.

Note: The above is not definitive and in the majority of clubs additional rules will be required to ensure that other requirements, hazards and risks are managed.

BMFA Insurance - special notes:

Please see the following two documents produced by the BMFA relating to insurance:

Being Insured - January 2011

Know your BMFA Insurance

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Section Two - Committee, Voting & Committee & Constitution

COMMITTEE

22. The Committee of the Club shall comprise of not more than 5 members, including the Executive Committee. A quorum of any Committee meeting shall consist of a majority of Committee Members.

23. The Executive Committee shall consist of three officers. These shall be Chairman, Secretary and Membership Administrator. The Executive committee shall remain in their positions for the duration of the club and cannot be voted out in Annual General Meetings. The Executive Committee positions of Chairman, Secretary and Membership Administrator can only change with the agreement of the remaining two Executive Committee members. New Executive positions must be agreed by all committee members.

24. One senior club member should be appointed annually as the clubs' BMFA Delegate who should represent the club at all relevant meetings. This will otherwise be the club secretary.

25. Any Committee member or member who is involved in any organisational position within the Club, must hold membership with the British Model Flying Association.

26. Non-Executive committee members will need to have been a member of 'the club' for a minimum of three years, except in exceptional circumstances, as agreed by the Executive committee.

27. Non Executive committee members will remain in post for a minimum of five years for the stability of the club (unless they choose to stand down). Should a committee position become vacant, the Committee may co-opt a replacement who will then serve until the following Annual General Meeting. This will be by a majority vote from the Committee Members.

28. Members elected to office will have full voting rights at all meetings. In the event of a tie the Chairman will have a casting vote.

29. The Executive Committee reserves the right to carry out negotiations and make decisions in the interest of the club or on behalf of the membership where necessary without consulting the other Committee members.

30. Each Executive is required to submit a sample of his signature for banking reference purposes.

31. The Secretary must be informed of any negotiations proposed by club members which affect the Club as a whole and copies of any written correspondence must be submitted to him for record purposes.

32. The Secretary will receive an annual honorarium to cover out of pocket expenses not covered under the normal conditions of withdrawal from club funds, the amount of which will be decided at the Annual General Meeting. He may also present a quarterly claim towards telephone and website running costs for consideration by the Committee.

33. No member of the Committee or Officer of the club may be a member of another model flying club within thirty miles.

34. Any Committee Member or Officer wishing to resign should do so in writing.

35. Any member of the Committee who is absent from three consecutive Committee meetings without reasonable cause will automatically forfeit his seat on the Committee.

36. The Committee may pay accounts and incur any normal liabilities on behalf of the club. If a Committee Member engages or becomes involved in court proceedings, whether criminal or civil in his representative capacity on behalf of the club, as opposed to his capacity as a private individual, the club will indemnify the Committee Member in respect of any fines or damages or costs awarded against the Committee Member.

37. In the event of a Committee Member being awarded damages or costs in the course of proceedings taken by him in his representative capacity, such damages or costs will belong to the Club and not the Committee Member personally and upon receipt that Committee Member will pay them to the Club Treasurer.

VOTING AND CONDUCT OF MEETINGS

38. All meetings will be agendered and minuted. Any other business will only be accepted at general meetings if the Secretary is given at least 14 days notice in writing of the item to be discussed.

39. .

40. Voting in connection with the running of the club will normally be by a show of hands by committee members.

41. All proposals must be seconded and voted upon. A majority vote is required to carry any proposal.

42. Amendments to proposals must be voted upon first.

43. Non-committee members may attend committee meetings as observers by applying to the Secretary at least 14 days before the meeting. Any non Committee Member may be asked to leave the meeting subject to approval from the Committee.

44. Non-club members may attend Club meetings as observers as invited guests of a club by applying to the Secretary at least 14 days before the meeting. Any non-Club member may be asked to leave the meeting subject to approval from the Committee.

45. The Committee, through the Chairman has the power to ask a person to leave any meeting in the event of that person disrupting the meeting.

46. Patrons of the club have no voting rights but are free to attend all club meetings.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS

47. A convenient date for the Annual General Meeting will be decided each year by the Committee. At least 14 days notice of the meeting will be given in writing to all Club members.

48. Non - executive committee members will serve for a minimum of five years for the stability of the club. Unless the five year period is up, no voting of new committee members will take place at the AGM.

Note: The way the club is run is by decision of the Executive and Non Executive committee, based on the condition that the club is a private club run of private land.

49. Subscriptions are due by 1st June each year. Any member who has not paid the subscriptions for the ensuing year by this date, in whole or in part, will not be allowed to fly until they have done so. BMFA membership must be in place before flying.

EXTRAORDINARY MEETINGS

50. The Secretary will convene an Extraordinary Committee Meeting within 14 days on request from any member of the Executive Committee, stating the business to be discussed.

51. The Secretary shall convene an Extraordinary General Meeting of the club by a resolution of the Committee stating the business to be brought before the meeting, of which 28 days notice has been given to all members in writing stating the business to be discussed.

52. The Secretary shall convene an Extraordinary General Meeting of the club on receipt of a request in writing signed by not less than 2 members of the club, stating the business to be brought before the meeting, of which 28 days notice has been given to all members in writing stating the business to be discussed.

53. When a request for a meeting is made in accordance with Article 52 and it is not called within 28 days, the requisitioners may themselves convene an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Club by giving 28 days notice in writing to all members, duly setting out the purpose for which the meeting was called. Any resolutions passed at such a meeting shall have the same force and effect as if they were passed at a meeting convened by the Committee.

CONSTITUTION GENERAL

1. The club shall be called the STUMPS CROSS MODEL FLYING CLUB and will be affiliated to the British Model Flying Association. This may be abbreviated to SCMFC. SCMFC is a private club and membership is restricted to 35 members. Awaiting list will apply if necessary.

2. The clubs principal aim shall be the promotion of safe and responsible model aircraft flying in a friendly environment.

3. All members, without exception, must obey all club rules. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action by the Club, which may lead to dismissal in serious circumstances.

4. All members must be members of the British Model Flying Association and must be able to provide evidence of such on request.

5.

6. Members may invite guest fliers to the site on arrangement with the club secretary (at least one day in advance) but they must be BMFA insured and the club member must assume total responsibility for the actions and safety of the guest. Guests must fly under the supervision of instructors if their ability requires it, and such arrangements must be made in advance of the visit. A fee of £5.00 will be charged.

7. A "member" means any class of membership.

8.

9. The Committee has the right to refuse membership to new applicants.

10. New members will be required to serve an initial probationary period of 6 months. During this time they will not be eligible to serve on the Committee and may have their membership terminated at the discretion of the Committee for unsatisfactory conduct.

11. New members' subscriptions shall be subject to status, plus the joining fee as decided at the Annual General Meeting.

12. Persons letting their membership lapse, will be required to re-apply for membership and pay the re-joining fee on their return to the club.

13. All field safety rules and regulations will be reviewed annually, and will be considered binding for 12 months, excepting where urgent action is required. This action must then be ratified by the Committee at the next club meeting or at a general meeting. The field safety rules are considered as a supplementary code to those laid out by the British Model Flying Association's Members' Handbook, compliance with which is mandatory within SCMFC.

14. Any complaint concerning any member must be made in writing and signed by the complainant(s). The written complaint must then be forwarded to the Secretary so that the matter can be addressed at the next Committee meeting.

15. The Committee may impose a flying suspension not exceeding 30 days upon any member in the event of misconduct. Any suspension must be accompanied by a verbal and/or written warning as deemed appropriate in accordance with Article 16.

16. The Committee may consider removal from the role of members any member whose conduct on the field or elsewhere is considered to be prejudicial to the club. Dismissal will be in accordance with the following procedure in order to comply with the laws of natural justice:

a. The member is to be given a verbal warning by an authorised Committee Member in which the member is made aware of his misdemeanor and what he is reasonably required to do to make amends.

b. If the member does not respond, he is to be given a written warning by an authorised Committee Member to advise him of his misdemeanor and what he is reasonably required to do to make amends.

c. If he still fails to respond, the Committee should invite him in writing to meet with them at a previously agreed date and time to discuss the situation, advising they are considering withdrawal of his membership.

d. If he still fails to respond to reasoning or fails to attend without reasonable cause, the Committee can advise him in writing that his membership is withdrawn, stating the reasons why this decision was reached.

e. When the member is advised of withdrawal of his membership, he must be given the right of appeal. If he opts to appeal, this will be to the Club membership at an EGM, which the Committee would call on his behalf at a previously agreed date and time. The motion to uphold the membership withdrawal or reverse it must be in accordance with the voting procedures set out in the Club Constitution.

In the event of gross misconduct, immediate dismissal without warnings may be considered (without financial remuneration of fees part or full) but the member must still be accorded his rights to present his case to the Committee and be given a right of appeal in accordance with sub-paragraphs c, d and e above.

17. Any alteration to this Constitution can only be made at a General Meeting called for the purpose. Any proposed alterations must be submitted to the Secretary in writing at least 14 days prior to the meeting.

GUIDE ON CARING FOR JUNIOR MEMBERS

Note: The club committee has made the decision that due to the requirements of The Children Act (1989) all members under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardians. That parent must also apply for club membership (no BMFA required), to entitle them to be a valid visitor at the club flying site. Therefore an under 18 member will always be accompanied by an adult club member.

Responsibility for junior members is shared between the parents/guardians and the club members and should be well publicised to ensure that all are aware of the division of responsibilities. The ideal medium is club rules but for these to be effective it is imperative that a copy of the rules is given to parents/guardians in addition to members and their attention is drawn to them.

Typically club rules concerning juniors could be:

1. A Junior Member is defined as being under 18 years of age.

2. A responsible adult is defined as a parent/guardian club member who has the experience commensurate with the type and degree of supervision required.

3. Junior members must be supervised at all times by a responsible adult member. The level of supervision is to be commensurate with the junior member's age, maturity, capabilities and levels of experience.

4. Junior members under the age of 14 years shall not start an engine or carry a model with the engine running unless they are supervised by a responsible adult member.

5. No junior member under the age of 14 years shall fly a model aircraft unless supervised by a responsible adult or the junior member holds the minimum of a BMFA Achievement Scheme "A" certificate and has been authorised to do so by the Club Committee.

6. No senior member is to be expected to assume responsibility for a junior member unless he/she has been specifically requested to do so by the junior member's parent/guardian when at the site. If required to do so, he/she is to assume responsibility for the junior member whilst he/she is in their charge.

7. Notwithstanding the requirements of Paragraph 6, should a member discover a junior member is unsupervised he/she must assume responsibility for the junior member's safety in the first instance. The situation should then be rectified as soon as possible by seeking out the junior member's parent/guardian/nominated supervisor. Any instance of such an occurrence is to be reported to the Committee as soon as possible.

8. Whilst supervising junior members, senior members should be aware of the requirements of The Children Act (1989) and avoid placing themselves in a position that could be open to misinterpretation or question. A leaflet giving advice is available from the BMFA Leicester Office or from the Club Secretary.

In addition this Club has specific rules relating to junior members and you are required to study them carefully.

This membership form must be countersigned by the parent/guardian if the applicant is under 18 years of age, thereby signifying you accept the conditions of junior membership."

Finally, caring for junior members is largely a matter of common sense provided everyone is clear on what is expected of them and a few simple principles are adhered to. It is not a responsibility to be feared but is nevertheless essential if we are to ensure we continue to attract youth into model flying.

DISSOLUTION OF THE CLUB

54. Should it be considered necessary or desirable to dissolve the Club, the Committee will call an Extraordinary General Meeting. Should a quorum fail to appear, the meeting will be adjourned and a further EGM must be called. The second meeting will proceed even if a quorum is not present and the motion will then be carried by a simple majority vote.