Club Rules

The club rules are divided into four sections:

• General

• Administration

• Flying

• Flight Area & Times

Alternatively you may download the consolidated rules in PDF format from the bottom of this page.

N.B. These rules are subject to review periodically.

General

1. The Southern Counties Model Helicopter Club (SCMHC) has been affiliated to the British Model FlyingAssociation (BMFA) since 1^st Jan 1997. It is a condition of membership that all Members of this club are members of the British Model Flying Association.

2. The Committee of the Southern Counties Model Helicopter Club shall consist of a Chairman, Secretary/Treasurer and Safety officer.

3. Applicants will be accepted from outside our area up to a limit of Twenty-Five members. The Committee will give priority to applicants who do not hold membership of another helicopter club. Any member who leaves the area shall be entitled to retain and renew his/her membership.

4. All applicants for membership will be given the opportunity to prove their competence to fly or to arrange tuition. The Committee reserves the right to refuse membership without explanation.

5. Vehicles are not permitted on the field at any time.

6. Members are expected to observe the rules of the countryside and avoid any damage to adjoining land. No debris shall be left on the flying site, adjoining land or car park.

7. Members have access to the flying field only on the permitted days of flying and not at any other time.

8. Members elected to the Committee will not hold office on any committee of any other model helicopter flying club.

9. The club will not be used for commercial gain or commercial activities.

Administration

1. The Club annual membership subscription shall be determined and approved at the Annual General Meeting(AGM) and shall include the rental of the flying field. New members will be levied a joining fee, also to be determined at the AGM. Subscriptions shall fall due on the first day of January, and must be paid in full by the March club meeting. Failure to do so will forfeit membership and the ex-member will be required to re-apply to the Committee for membership and will be levied the joining fee.

2. There is one category of members within the Club. All members will pay the annual BMFA fee. All members will pay the club membership fees. Club membership discounts may be given at the Committees approval.

3. The club AGM will be held in November of each year.

4. An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) may be called by the Committee, or not less than 25% of the members of the Club with voting rights. At least 28 days notice in writing shall be given to the Secretary, who in turn shall give members at least 14 days notice in writing of the meeting and the agenda. No other business will be transacted at the EGM.

5. The quorum for the Committee shall consist of three members. In the absence of a quorum, business may be dealt with, but any decisions taken shall only become valid after ratification at the next meeting at which a full quorum exists.

6. The Committee shall have the power to co-opt members to the Committee without recourse to a general club ballot.

7. The Land owners require at least two named trustees to sign the lease for the field. They shall be the current Chairman and the Treasurer.

Flying

1. All members are strictly forbidden from flying on any other land that is managed or owned by the Military or other land owners.

2. Only members of the Southern Counties Model Helicopter Club are permitted to fly at the site, subject to certain conditions (see flying rules No. 16).

3. No member shall fly from the site unless they are a fully paid up member of the club.

4. Junior and Vulnerable Adult members shall only visit the site if accompanied by a Parent, Guardian or Responsible adult who has the written permission to bring them to the field and to supervise them. This rule applies whether the junior or vulnerable adult member is a permit holder or not.

5. Gas turbines are to be operated in accordance with BMFA Code of Practice for Safe Operation of Model Gas Turbines (a copy of which can be obtained from the BMFA NBRMAS_turbine_rules.pdf or the Committee) together with the following rules, which are specific to the SCMHC flying site. Rules 5.1 to 5.6 below will be subject to periodic reassessment.

   • The operator must be the holder of a BMFA ‘B’ certificate.

   • Solo operation is not permitted i.e. At least two people must attend to operate, both must be competent flyers.

   • A Carbon Dioxide fire extinguisher must be on stand-by at all times.

   • Testing or starting up shall take place only in the designated areas.

   • Immediately prior to take off a range check should be made with the model observed by the helper.

   • All other helicopters present, whether electric, IC or gas turbine will be grounded with radios off during any flight or flights.

6. Recognisable frequency numbers or numbered coloured pennants must be displayed on 35MHz transmitters at all times. 2.4GHz transmitters are exempt.

7. There is no flying beyond the boundary line shown on the club flying area handout.

8. All taking off and landing must take place within the designated areas.

9. All engines must be effectively silenced down to 82db. The readings to be taken from a distance of 7 metres at four equally spaced points. (The average of the four readings will be accepted).

10. All Helicopters must be restrained whilst being started. When started they must be physically restrained at all times until over the safety line, and upon returning to the pits must not be flown over this line. Throttle Hold must be used at all times until in the take off area.

11. The purpose of the lines will be adhered to at all times as a Safety zone and pits as shown in the flying area handout.

12. All radio equipment will be type approved for use within the UK and will carry a CE mark or a BMFA Type Approval Certificate.

13. Flying at the site is only permitted during designated hours.

    • Saturday: 12:00pm until 6:00pm

    • Sunday: 10:00am until 2:00pm

14. No more than four helicopters will be permitted to fly at any one time.

15. Should a serious incident happen involving people, property or animals, the member involved in the incident must immediately (or as soon as practically possible) inform a Committee member and provide details.

16. At the Committee’s discretion a member is occasionally entitled to bring a guest to fly at the field for the day, subject to the following conditions;

    • A Committee member’s approval must be obtained beforehand.

    • The guest flyer must be accompanied by the host member.

    • The host member will be held responsible for the guest flyer’s conduct to ensure compliance with SCMHC rules.

    • The guest will be required to produce proof of BMFA insurance.

17. To minimise the risk of fire, smoking and the use of naked flames is not permitted within the pits area.

18. Any infringement of these rules and conditions shall bear serious consequences and disciplinary action will be taken against any member flying in an irresponsible manner. The alleged offender shall in all cases be given a fair hearing. In all cases the Committee’s decision will be final.

19. Use of mobile phones is not permitted in the pits area or whilst flying.

20. Prior to flying a call must be made to the

Club Rules PDF