Flying Eagles site

AMA Club #2417

Proposed as of August, 2001

This set of recommendations and guidelines is provided to complement the Club Safety Rules. No set of rules or recommendations can assure safety, but are there for each pilot to use so that we all keep safety high on our list of priorities. Many of the following recommendations are considered good practice, but nothing can replace good common sense when it comes to safety. Safety is everyone’s responsibility. Remember ... Safety is NO accident!

1. Simultaneous fixed-wing and helicopter flying requires careful coordination and communication between pilots to avoid mid-air collisions. At a minimum, pilots of both types of aircraft should agree on use of the airspace and announce any flight maneuver that could potentially bring the aircraft into close proximity.
2. Our field is located at least 3 miles from other sanctioned AMA fields, and is an AMA requirement. If you ever fly at another location, make sure it is at least 3 miles from any other RC flying site, otherwise cover your frequency on the frequency board with a note telling others where you are flying.
3. Long engine runs to tune or troubleshoot engine performance should be done away from the pits and flight line. Use a remote location of the field for this so as not to disturb pilots who are flying.
4. If you will be flying at the river or another area out of sight of the pit area, post your frequency pin on the appropriate channel, and include a note telling others where you are flying and not to remove your pin.

1. Spectators should not be allowed on the flight line or runway without a member escort. When spectators are in the pit area they should be warned about the potential hazards of spinning props and be asked to stay well clear of running engines.
2. Adjust running engines from behind the rotating prop, never from the front.
3. Use a restraining device (a.k.a., stooge) when starting an engine and adjusting it.
4. Don’t fly alone. If you suffer an injury, it is important to have someone present to help you get medical attention.
5. When starting and running up your engine, try to keep the prop blast away from other people in or near the pit area. Ask people to move if your prop blast will blow dust in their direction.

1. Use a checkout list to review the airworthiness of each aircraft before it is flown for the first time, and after any accident, crash, or extensive modifications to the aircraft. This includes a range check and Center-of-Gravity check. Several versions of checkout procedures have been written and one should be kept handy when at the field. See the Safety Officer if you need this information.
2. Do a pre-flight check of all aircraft functions before each flight to be sure they work as intended.
3. When taking off or landing, announce your intentions to all pilots on the flight line.
4. When more than one aircraft is flying, all pilots should take off, fly, and land in the established traffic pattern. If you intend to do something different, announce your intentions to all pilots on the flight line.
5. Helicopter pilots should practice hovering maneuvers at the north end of the field between the flight line and RR tracks so as not to interfere with take-offs and landings of fixed-wing aircraft.
6. All clevises and control links should be provided with a “keeper” or similar safety device.
7. Never fly with a nicked or damaged prop.