Flying During Mowing

RC Flight Operations During Runway Mowing

To safely allow members of SCRC to fly planes during Full Scale and RC Runway Mowing.

1. Aircraft Classifications

• Weight Classes: Classify planes based on their takeoff weight (e.g., below 4 lbs, below 10 lbs). See Runway Maps for Red and Orange Areas.

  • Red Zone - Flights are restricted to experienced pilots operating electric-powered aircraft weighing less than 4 pounds. Turbine, Speed, or race planes are not permitted while the tractor is mowing this section of the full-scale runway.

  • Orange Zones - Flights are restricted to experienced pilots operating any powered aircraft weighing less than 10 pounds. Turbine, Speed, or race planes are not permitted while the tractor is mowing these sections of the full-scale runway.

• Speed Limits: Turbine,Speed, or Race Planes

  • Design: Sleek, aerodynamic shapes with minimal wing surface.

  • Performance: Capable of achieving high speeds, often exceeding 70–100 mph.

  • Purpose: Primarily intended for racing, timed runs, or high-speed aerobatics.

  • Power Systems: Electric - Glow - Turbine - 2 Stroke Gasoline

• FPV - Autonomous Flights:

  • There are NO FPV or Autonomous Flights permitted during any field mowing no matter the Zones.Line of site (LOS) must be maintained by the Pilot in Command (PIC).

• Spotter - Pilot Assistant: 

  • Red Zone - All pilots MUST have a spotter to relay where the tractor is at all times, NOT just during take off and landings.

  • Orange Zones - Spotter not mandatory but recommended.

2. Safe Operational Zones

• No-Fly Buffer Zone around the tractor.

  • Take off and Landing must be closer to the pilot stations and should be in the same direction of the travel of the tractor at the time when possible.

  • During the flight, no low passes, flights directly over the runways, or facing the tractor under aggressive power.

• Flight-Restricted Areas where planes cannot enter while the tractor is mowing.

  • Red Zone Full Scale Runway: Maintain safe slow flight speeds, staying outside of a 100 foot radius of the tractor at all times.

  • Orange Zones Full Scale Runway - Move the RC aircraft pattern of flights to the opposite side of the field related to the mowing at the time.Take offs and landing should be down while the tractor is not location closest to the RC Runway when possible.

3. RC Runway Mowing

Allow only specific plane classes to fly during mowing activities, based on safety assessments:

• Lightweight and Low-Speed Models: Planes under 2 lbs with a top speed of 50 mph 

• Line-of-Sight Flights Only: Prohibit high-speed or FPV (First Person View) flights to maintain close control of the aircraft.

4. Pilot Skill Requirements

Only experienced pilots should be allowed to fly during mowing activities.

• The Pilot in command (and spotter) have read and agreed to the Policies of flying during mowing.

• If the Pilot In Command is nervous at all about the tractor, Do NOT Fly.

• No Maiden or Re-Maiden of any aircraft during mowing.

5. Zone Maps

• Red Zone: Full Scale & RC Runway Mowing

Red Zone: Full Scale & RC Runway Mowing 

Orange Zone Full Scale Runway Mowing