Rules

Note: These Rules and Regulations are supplementary to the CASA regulations and MAAA procedures. It is a condition of flying at WRCS Belrose that a pilot complies with all CASA regulations and MAAA procedures.

General

1. Each member has the obligation to co-operate to ensure the safe operation of all model aircraft.
2. The gate is to be kept locked at all times. It must not be left open and unattended.
3. Flying times are Monday to Saturday 8.00am to dusk, Sunday and public holidays 9.00 am to dusk. Members may fly small, fixed wing foamies from 8am on Sundays as long as the aircraft is very quiet and cannot be heard beyond the gate at the top of the hill.  This does not include high speed aircraft, ducted fans or drones. If in any doubt about the noise then please ground it until after 9am.
4. Flying is not permitted on days of Total Fire Ban for Greater Sydney region and access to the field is prohibited.
5. Definitions of Areas and Restrictions:
   • The area south of the first fence is the “Restricted Area” is only for pilots and assistants.
   • The “Flight Line” is the area between the second and third fences.
   • The “Start Up” area is between the first and second fences.
   • The “Pits” is the Total area south of the bridge.
   • The “Running in” area is 30 metres east of the east fence
   • The “Helicopter / Multirotor Hovering” area is in a reserved part of the field at the NE corner of the field.
6. Visiting flyers MUST sign and fill in the visiting flyers register located in the pound with MAAA number if applicable and MOP certificates shown, if applicable.   The name and MAAA number of introducing member must also be recorded.  A maximum of three visits may be permitted before membership must be completed.
7. Membership/Name badges must be worn whilst at the field.
8. Dogs are to be kept on a leash and restrained at all times.
9. Mobile phones must not be used at the flight line.
10. Please take all of your rubbish, damaged and broken models away when you leave.
11. The flying of jet turbines, pulse jets, or rocket powered aircraft is BANNED due to bush fire hazard.
12. A member may have their membership suspended or revoked by the WRCS Committee at any time. 
13. When models that use Lipo batteries crash in the bush then all reasonable efforts must be made to recover the aircraft and or Batteries.
14. There is to be no climbing on the Flight-line fences or starting tables
15. Only pilot and instructor or pilot and spotter are allowed on the Flight-line when other pilots are on the flight-line
16. Children under 10 years of age are not allowed on the flight-line when other pilots are on the flight-line, unless they are receiving tuition
17. The shipping containers are only for the storage of WRCS property.
18. From 1st July 2023 the MAAA has implemented a $500 person excess on Insurance claims. The individual is liable for the $500 excess, not WRCS.

Flying

1. Engine Noise:
   1. All engines, (inc. electric motors) MUST ONLY be started/armed and run in the Pits area. 
   2. All large models or engines above 35 cc must be started at the western end of the start-up area.
   3. For prolonged running, the engine/model must be removed to the running in area to the east of flight line.
   4. As a courtesy, starting and/or revving immediately behind the flight line is to be avoided.  Starting motors next to the first fence is acceptable but excessing revving should be avoided in this area.
   5. Effective mufflers are compulsory.  Models that are perceived to be ‘noisy’ may be subject to noise assessment (including meter testing – Max 98db meter @ 3 metres, 1 metre above ground).
2. Prior to flying:
   1. All pilots must perform a range test with a model before it is flown for the first time on any given day.
   2. All members and visiting flyers must hold at least the minimum wings qualification for their aircraft type, before flying on the main field without a supervising instructor. Helicopters/drones in the hovering area are excepted.
   3. All models must comply with MAAA guidelines. Models over 7Kg must have relevant certificates (MOP).
   4. Test flights of new models can be carried out from the field in exceptional circumstances however the pilot must obtain permission and no other pilots are to fly while the test is being conducted. 
   5. Large models (over 7 Kgs), multi-engine IC aircraft, high performance aircraft and 700 size helicopters, require the pilot to have a minimum standard Gold Wings.
   6. No taxiing is permitted in the pits. Planes must be carried or pushed to the centre take off area or the western (car park end)  entrance to the field.
   7. Aircraft must be effectively restrained during start up and at all times when engine is running in the pits.
   8. Where possible ask for help rather than reaching around to start a “gas” aircraft or carrying a running gas aircraft to the Flight Line.
3. Immediately prior and during Take Off:
   1. Clearance must be obtained from all pilots with aircraft in the air before taking off.  NO RESPONSE NO TAKE OFF!
   2. Pilots must take their position on the flight line before commencing take off.
   3. Hand launching of any model is from the 30-metre line, NOT the flight line. Take off from the flight line, at right angles away from the flight line is permitted.
4. During Flight:
   1. All models must be flown from the flight line. Helicopter and Multirotor pilots wishing to practice hovering must do so in the NE area and their aircraft must not encroach on or overfly the main runway.
   2. Aircraft in flight must keep at least 30 metre south of the first fence ie. the edge of the long grass/mown strip.
   3. The maximum altitude limit is 400 feet above average height in the location which equates, approximately, to 550 feet above the pilot area given that our field is in a valley.
   4. Helicopters, multirotors and fixed wing aircraft must fly circuits if other aircraft are in the air.
   5. Helicopters are not to have blades turning before the 30-metre line (beyond the long grass on the field) 
   6. Aerobatic manoeuvres that are likely to impact other pilots should be avoided and require a clearance from other pilots with aircraft in the air. The pilot must ask if it is OK to do a certain manoeuvre first.
   7. No flying is allowed over the pits. Aircraft must not fly over the helicopter hovering area except at event days as directed by the CD of the day.  The car park ought to be avoided except on controlled landing approaches.
5. Priority for Landing ‘Right of Way’:
   1. Power models with engine failure have right of way if the pilot has called ‘DEAD STICK’
   2. Gliders on landing circuit have right of way after the pilot has called ‘GLIDER LANDING’
   3. Powered models after Pilot calls ‘LANDING’ clearly on entering a landing circuit.  If ‘GOING AROUND’, this must also be called.
6. Multirotor and FPV special conditions
   1. Multirotors using the main strip must fly circuits unless they are the only type of aircraft in the air and there is common agreement between the active pilots to fly in a non-circuit format
   2. In the event that a fixed wing aircraft pilot chooses to join the flight line, any multirotor and FPV pilots flying non-circuit must resume circuit immediately. They should not wait for a request before doing so.
   3. CASA and the MAAA have special conditions governing multirotor, drone and FPV flying, and it is an absolute condition that pilots at WRCS observe these conditions. For FPV users where the aircraft exceeds 2kg or operation above 100ft AGL, their attention is drawn to the requirement to have a spotter with them with “line of sight” to the aircraft at all times who is appropriately qualified and able to take immediate and safe control of the aircraft if needed.
   4. For FPV racing and Self-Guided Model Aircraft (SGMA), MAAA MOP066 is to be used when setting flight conditions, controls and supervisory requirements.
7. Post Flight
   1. Before retrieving models on the field, clearance to go on the field must be requested and granted from all other pilots currently flying.  Access and Exit from the field must be by the shortest practical route.
   2. Taxiing back should be via the side entrances and then the engine should be stopped. When coming uphill from the east, the plane should not taxi in front of the flight line. When coming downhill, from the west, then the plane should not be pointing at the pilots waiting to taxi out with the engine running.
   3. After flight all engines must be shut down before re-entering the Pits

SAFETY REPORTING OFFICER (SRO)

Members may report any perceived safety incident/breach to the SAFETY REPORTING OFFICER [always the current Vice President], which in the opinion of the member, may have, or did cause, a serious injury.

LOST PLANE SEARCH, ADVISORY

When entering the bush (any area other than the mown field or access road) it is strongly advised that:

1. At least one member on the field be advised of the search,
2. Take a mobile phone and water with you,
3. Call & advise status from time to time,
4. Arrange with other members to raise an alarm in you don’t return by a specified time.