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This is my first newletter since being appointed at the AGM,
and clearly it took a while to get around to it. However here goes….
The one of our battery packs is still missing. On 14th
November after a high negative G manoeuvre, there was a canopy failure and
subsequent ejection over Merriott. The twinjet suffered minimal damage but our
condolences go out to the charger and all the little connectors so sadly
bereaved by this tragic accident.
We held the AGM on 23rd November; at the Westland leisure
complex.
There was much discussion about planning permission for the
Merriott site, particularly cost of the new entrance, which is required by the
highways agency for road safety reasons.
The meeting agreed to go ahead with the new entrance, and
apply for grants from the BMFA and Westland Sports and Social to help pay for
this.
There was also the usual rush (note heavy sarcasm) to
volunteer for club committee roles; after adroitly avoiding the treasure role
(eventually filled by Dave Garrett); I was hit with the newsletter editor job.
Copies of the minutes should be available from the
secretary.
As of 5th
December, we arrived to find the new entrance completed.
The old gate (now blocked): -
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The new gate is a just out of the above photo, down the road
in Merriott direction: -
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As discussed at the AGM, we
applied for grant from the BMFA - As of 12th December we have
received a cheque for £500 from the BMFA, this should keep the club solvent
after the bill for the new gate hits us.
Also as discussed at the AGM,
we applied for grant from the WHL sports & Social – we have since received
a letter stating they can’t help.
We still use the same
padlock, so no need to cut new keys.
The new entrance to the
Merriott field has a slight problem,
a couple of cars have got stuck, this happened just inside the new entrance.
The committee is working on this, in the mean time please take it slow but
steady and swing wide to avoid having to turn sharply.
Please remember to get this
out every time (or at least any time you aren’t the only one on the patch); do
this regardless of who arrived first / should have done it. Do it even if you
know Joe always uses channel XX. This could be the day he tests his new TX on
YY.
Failure to do this could
cause immense problems with insurance, planning permission, not to mention what
happens when I do a range test on the frequency you are flying on.
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Daniel has created a website
for us, http://www.whlaeromodellers.tk/
At first glance :-
§
It seems to be a bit slow to load, but don’t let this
put you off – it speeds once loaded, and this is just the introduction; which
you can skip easily.
§
It works with non-IE browsers E.G. Firefox.
§
Good place to share digital photos of your latest
masterwork.
The Club nights are on the
4th Tuesday of every month (except December) at
20:00 in the Watercombe
suite, Westland Leisure Complex.
We meet in the sportsman bar
for a drink before.
If any of you have anything interesting, amusing or
informative that you would like to share in the newsletter please send it to
me, by e-mail is best, but if not pass it to me at a club night or on the
field.
The above is particularly important given the new
editors weird sense of humour.
You can Contact me
None of the following should come as a surprise, but please
reread the club guidelines occasionally: -
Revision History 2
RULES OF CONDUCT 3
SAFETY 3
CLUB RULES FOR CARING FOR
CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS 4
CLUB NOISE LIMITATION POLICY 6
1.INDIVIDUAL MODELS 6
2.NUMBER OF MODELS 6
3.LIMITING FLYING TIMES 6
SILENT FLIGHT 7
TRAINING SCHEME 7
Introduction 7
The Scheme 7
RULES & PROCEDURES -
YEOVIL AERODROME 8
1. If the Air Traffic Control centre is closed. 8
2. If the Air Traffic Control centre is open. 8
RULES FOR HELICOPTER OPERATION
ON THE AIRFIELD. 8
FLYING TIMES – Yeovil Westland
Airfield 9
RULES & PROCEDURES
MERRIOTT FIELD 9
FLYING TIMES - Merroitt 9
Fig 1 Merriott Field No Fly
Areas 10
Fig 2 Airfield No Fly Areas 11
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Issue.
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Change remarks
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Feb04
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Note: these guidelines where submitted with the planning
application for the Merriott site at this issue
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July04
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Updated to provide a definition of an Instructor.(ref
minutes April04)
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In order to preserve our continued enjoyment of the hobby,
and this includes as not the least consideration the use of the airfield, it is
necessary to have certain rules of conduct to: -
Maintain
safe operation
Avoid
nuisance to the general public
Avoid
inconvenience to each other
The main aspects of safety are contained in the BMFA Safety
Code, which everyone in the Club should ensure that they are familiar with (as
they will receive these as Association members,) in addition there are some
specific local rules.
Site the pits so that they are clear of the flight path of
models taking off and landing.
Keep models, boxes etc. well back from the edge of the
patch. The pegboard should be about 3 paces from the edge of the patch and the
models should be at least 8 paces behind the pegboard.
After take off, clear the patch as soon as possible to avoid
obstructing those wishing to land or take off.
Always call before taking off or landing and make sure that
you are given the OK before you proceed. Also call your intention to go onto
the patch to retrieve a model, clearing the patch and calling “clear” as soon
as possible.
Do not carry out engine test running close to the patch as
this drowns the sound of models in the air.
Keep an eye on other models when flying, and always check
that the patch is clear before landing, even if you have called landing.
Observe the “No Fly” areas as shown in the attached maps
Figs 1 & 2
Keep a good lookout for full sized aircraft, even when the
airfield is nominally closed.
All
members, parents, guardians and carers are to comply with BMFA and club
policies and guidelines for the promotion of welfare and care of children.
A junior
member is defined as being under 18 years of age.
A
vulnerable adult is defined as a person of 18 years of age or over but through
mental or physical attributes requires a higher level of supervision than would
be normally commensurate with an adult member.
Junior
members must be supervised at all times by a responsible adult. The level of
supervision is to be commensurate with the junior member's age, maturity,
capabilities and levels of experience.
No child or
vulnerable adult shall undertake any activity, which might place him or her at
risk. In any event prior consultation with their parent, guardian or carer must
take place if there is any doubt on the member's abilities to undertake a
specific activity.
No senior
member is to be expected to assume responsibility for a child or a vulnerable
adult unless he/she has been specifically requested to do so by the parent,
guardian or carer. If required to do so, he/she is to assume complete and total
responsibility for the child or vulnerable adult whilst he/she is in their
charge.
Notwithstanding
the requirements of the previous paragraph, should a member discover a child or
vulnerable adult that is unsupervised then he/she must assume responsibility
for that person's safety in the first instance. The situation should then be
rectified as soon as possible by seeking out the parent, guardian, carer or
nominated supervisor. Any instance of such an occurrence is to be reported to
the club committee as soon as possible and a record made of the occurrence.
Whilst
supervising children or vulnerable adults, members should avoid placing themselves
in a position that could be open to misinterpretation or question in accordance
with BMFA policy. Remember, the policy is there to protect you as well as
children and vulnerable adults.
Should any
member, parent, guardian, carer or the person themselves have concerns about
the welfare of children or vulnerable adults then he or she is to contact A CLUB COMMITTEE MEMBER or any of the
help lines on Page 6 of the BMFA policy
All members
are required to respect the rights and dignity of children and vulnerable
adults and to promote their welfare. Caring 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 that we are to be a club that
offers opportunities for all.
"Note to
parents, guardians and carers:
Whilst this Club has a moral and statutory duty
to take all reasonable steps to ensure the general welfare and protection of
children and vulnerable adult members, in particular during the actual act of
model aircraft flying and associated pre-flight and post-flight procedures, the
Club will not undertake the all encompassing responsibilities of those acting
in the role of guardians or carers unless specifically arranged.
Our activities at the flying site do not finish
at a regular time. It is therefore your responsibility to ensure the well being
of your charge over and above arranging a predetermined collection time. Should
you wish to leave a child or a vulnerable adult at the flying site, it is your
responsibility to arrange for one of the qualified club members to supervise
him/her during your absence and, if necessary, make arrangements for the member to
be able to make contact with you.
Should you child have any special medical or
physical needs you are required to advise the Club in writing.
Should physical contact be required during
model flying for instructional or any other purposes these will be explained to
you and you will be required to record your agreement in writing defining the
type and limits of contact.
Should the Club wish to use a photographic
image of your child, the Club will follow the guidelines laid down by the NSPCC
Child Protection in Sport Unit detailed on Page 25 of
this document. In addition, your written consent will be required for the Club
to do so.
In addition the BMFA and this Club have
specific rules and policies relating to children and vulnerable adults, a copy
of which can be provided to you, if required.
This membership form must be countersigned by
the parent or guardian if the applicant is under 18 years of age or by the authorised carer of a vulnerable adult, thereby
signifying acceptance of the conditions of membership.
Should you wish to discuss any issue, have any
concerns or have suggestions on how we may improve our policies, then please
contact: a club committee member or contact one of the help lines on Page 6 of the BMFA policy and guidelines as you deem appropriate.
The club has a Noise Limitation Policy, this is to protect
us against the possibility of loss of flying facilities as a consequence of
noise complaints from local residents, and in order to pursue a “good
neighbour” policy.
The policy operates in three ways: -
Limiting noise from individual powered models.
Limiting noise by limiting the number of powered models
flying at the same time.
Limiting the times when we operate powered models.
All models operated by club members and their guests must be
effectively silenced and must conform to the current DOE/BMFA code of practice,
i.e. noise level not to exceed 82 dBA measured at 7 metres from the model in
four directions at right angles. The club has a noise meter and models will
have a certificate of compliance issued after measurement.
We limit the number of powered fixed wing models operating
at the same time to four.
See rules for relevant flying site.
Silent flight may be flown on the airfield on any evening
and on Sundays subject to the rules of Airfield Operation, and at any time on
the Merriott field.
The noise policy has been discussed with the environmental
health officer and has had his approval as being a reasonable code of conduct.
A major aim of our model aero club is to promote the hobby
and sport. It is therefore imperative, that all members understand the safety
implications in both the operation and flight of model aircraft. The training
scheme is intended to introduce newcomers to the hobby to these skills and to
ensure that they reach a recognised standard of proficiency.
The scheme is based on the BMFA training scheme “Up and
Away” and the BMFA proficiency scheme; Club approved instructors operate it
Any member who has not achieved the BMFA “”A” proficiency
level may only fly when supervised by a club approved instructor.
The instructors will monitor the progress of the pupils with
a view to their successful achievement of the BMFA “A” standard of proficiency.
A list of names and contact numbers of club-approved
instructors will be available in the club hut and will be provided to new
members on joining.
When there is no full size flying in progress the Air
Traffic Control centre is closed, and model flying is permitted.
When there is full size flying in progress, model flying may
be permitted with the agreement of Air Traffic Control in certain
circumstances, this is only likely to occur when full the size flying is away
from the Airfield.
When model flying is permitted by Air Traffic Control when
full size is in progress the following procedures, which have been agreed by
Air Traffic Control will be observed.
The first person who is on a list of nominated persons to
arrive at the Main Gate, will contact Air Traffic Control on Ext. 3051 and ask
for permission to start model flying.
If permission is given, the modeller who contacted Air
Traffic Control first must arrange for the telephone in the club hut to be
continuously manned while model flying is in progress (the extension lead for
the telephone may be used to make this easier.)
When instructed by Air Traffic Control by phone, all models
must land immediately, and wait for clearance before commencing flying again.
A good lookout must be maintained at all times in case an
aircraft returns unexpectedly.
1. Models
should meet the required safety level as stated in the BMFA Operation Guide to
Helicopters.
Models should be started in the pits and carried out to a
safe distance from the pits (approximately 20-ft.)
After test hovering the model should be carried out to the
mown area and the flight continued from there.
After flight check the model over for loose or failed
components, as per the BMFA Operation Guide to Helicopters.
Due to the frequency allocation for the Helicopter section
(55 to 63 inclusive), there is no need to restrict the number of models in the
air at a time, although for safety reasons only two models should fly circuits
at the same time.
During flights, the model should not leave the boundaries of
the airfield. Never overfly the pits or buildings on the site, and keep a
lookout for Aircraft to avoid the danger of collisions.
Flying times on the airfield for models powered by internal
combustion engines are limited to: -
Saturday afternoons and Bank Holidays – noon to sunset *
Wednesday evenings – 1800 hrs to sunset* in the Summer
Monday evenings –1800 hrs to sunset* models with noise
levels of 78 dBA or less
A limited number of Sundays e.g. Wessex Scale days.
*Evening flying is to cease by 2030 hrs, or sunset,
whichever is earlier
Silent flight may be flown on the airfield on any evening
and on Sundays subject to the rules of Airfield
Members using the
field must be prepared to show their current Club membership card and BMFA card
if asked to by the landowner. Anyone not doing so will be asked to leave the
field.
Anyone asked to stop
flying by the landowner is to comply immediately and without question.
Parking of member’s
cars is to be kept to close the hedges by the entrance, park so as not to
obstruct access.
Cars are not to be
driven to the flying patch.
No Fly areas for the
field are the A356 road and the market garden to the southwest, which is the residence
of the landowner.
The existing club
rules regarding safety, noise reduction and non “A” certificate holders will
apply to this site as well as any other sites used by the Club.
Exercising of dogs
or other animals is not permitted.
Power flying may
take place on:-
Tuesday 12:00p.m until 20:00 hrs,
or sunset, whichever is earlier
Friday 12:00p.m
until 20:00 hrs, or sunset, whichever is earlier
Sunday 10:00a.m
until 16:00 hrs
(These times are subject to review from time to time.)
Helicopter Training
(Hover only)
Wednesday 12:00p.m until 20:00 hrs, or
sunset, whichever is earlier - hover training only
(These times are subject to review from time to time.)
Silent flight may
take place at all times.
Poly
tunnels & buildings
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Normal
Flying Area
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