Barton’s Point Model Flying Club 

                                   Rules

                          Revised July 2023

 

1 The Club

 

The club shall be known as the Barton’s Point Model Flying Club.Hereinafter called The Club

2 Club Rules

 

The club rules will only be changed at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) or at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM). All club members must receive at least 28 days notice of proposed changes and of the meeting which seeks to change the rules. An EGM can only be called by a minimum of 4 members.

 

3 The Committee

 

The Club will be run by a committee consisting of chairman, secretary, treasurer, safety officer and a flying member. The committeewill meet as required. Four committee members must be present at a committee meeting to make its transactions valid. Committee decisions shall stand until an EGM or the AGM, whichever is the sooner. All committee meetings are to be minuted and those minutes shall be published.

4 Election of Officers

All committee members must stand down at the AGM and if they wish to stand for re-election must be nominated and seconded by the club. Any member can stand for election to the committee at the AGM or a vacant position at an EGM. A person may hold a committee position for a maximum term of 4 years unless the committee recommends an extra year in unusual circumstances, so 5 years is the maximum. That member can stand for election to a different role on the committee.

 

5 Membership

 

A prospective member shall complete a membership form and return it to the secretary. New members will be vetted by the committee for membership. There will be a one-year probationary period for new members. The club joining fee is set at the same as the annual membership fee. If a new member joins after the 1st October the membership fee will include the following full year.

 

6 Membership Cards

Membership cards are issued by the Club Secretary. Members must carry their membership cards with them when flying and offer themfor inspection by Swale Borough Council Wardens or any club member.

7 Club Fees

The annual club fee will be set at the AGM. Existing members are asked to pay their fees by the 1st January each year. A joining fee shall be payable by new senior members, at the discretion of the committee this can be waived for example in leu of the new member having been a member before.

 

 

8 The British Model Flying Association

The Club will be affiliated to the British Model Flying Association (BMFA). All club members must join the BMFA.

9 Insurance

 

Each club member must arrange their own BMFA membership,insurance and CAA registration directly with the BMFA.

10 Radio Frequency Control 

 

Members who choose to operate 35mhz FM radio equipment must before they switch on their transmitter at our site must place a numbered disc with their name on onto the peg board and display a numbered pennant on their transmitter aerial. There are no control requirements for users of 2.4ghz equipment.

11 Operation of Models

Models must always be flown with strict regard to safety in accordance with the safety code set out in the BMFA Handbook. No member shall operate a model while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Launching of models of any description must be carried out within the boundary of the field allocated to The Club.

12 Silencing of Engines

 

Engines must be adequately silenced. Models judged by a minimum of 3 members to be more than an acceptable noise level in the air will be grounded until adequately silenced.

13 Prop Hanging and Hovering

If there are pilots at the flight line, you must ask for permission from them to perform these manoeuvres and during your flight you must call all out of these manoeuvres. If there is a pilot under instruction at the flight line, prop hanging and hovering is not allowed.

 

14 Jet Powered Models

 

The flying of jet powered models from the field is allowed subject to annual review. The models are not to exceed an engine size of P120 and the pilot must hold a BMFA B certificate. All jet models being flown for the first time at out field must be inspected by an appointed member. Any pilot wishing to fly jets must demonstrate their capability to an appointed member before flying solo for the first time with a jet.

15 Flying Solo

Before a member is allowed to fly SOLO, they must have passed the BMFA (A) achievement certificate for their chosen discipline or have sought temporary permission from the committee to fly until such time an A certificate test can be arranged. The temporary permission can only be granted where it is shown the member is competent to fly solo whilst arrangements for an A test can be made at the earliest opportunity. Only holders of the A certificate or above may be able to teach model flying.

16 Guest Flying

A committee member must be informed by the member wishing to bring a guest flyer prior to the visit. Committee members can be contacted by phone, email or the club’s WhatsApp group.  

Members must be with their guest during the visit. Guest flyers who have gained their BMFA (A or B certificate) may fly once they have been made aware of the designated overfly and no fly areas. They must be in possession of valid insurance to fly and abide by the Club Rules.

 

A guest will only be allowed three flying visits, thereafter they will be asked if they wish to join the club unless there are special circumstances with the approval of the committee.

 

Rule 17 Public Shows

 

Members and guests are required to hold a BMFA B certificate or above to participate in flying at public shows. Members, and guests must hold an A Certificate or above to participate in model fly-ins. At events pilots and helpers shall be briefed before any flying takes place by the appointed event flight line director.

18 Spectators

Spectators accompanying members (family and friends) will be permitted. They must obey requests from members regarding their personal safety. Adults will be expected to always keep children under their control.

19 No Flying Areas

All flying is to be in front of the flight line i.e., no flying at the pits area, car parks or boating lake. There must be no flying over the golf club, chalets, or catamaran club,

20 Flying Area

 

Please see the map below for permitted flying areas. Our normal flying pattern involves using some of the airspace over the adjacent grazing fields. If livestock are grazing avoid flying low over them. If a model lands in the grazing fields please take care not to damage the boundary fence. The flying field, car park and surrounding area must be left in a clean and tidy condition. No litter must be left and any member finding litter should remove it. If any damage occurs, it must be made good by the individual concerned.

21 Vehicles on Flying Field

Subject to ongoing review vehicles may be driven onto the flying field and parked behind the pits area next to the bank. Charging of batteries must not done inside of vehicles. Please close the field barrier when leaving the field. During wet periods driving from the public road to our car park or the field must only be done when the ground is firm enough so as not to cause damage.

22 Mobile Phones

Mobile phones are permitted on the flying field but must not be taken onto the flight line.

23 Public Displays

Only BMFA B certificate holders will be permitted to fly radio-controlled aircraft as a representative of The Club at public displays in which The Club is participating.

24 Misconduct

 

Misconduct by a member will be noted by the committee and the member warned. Any further misconduct by that member will be referred to the committee to decide the course of action to be taken against the said member.

 

25 General Safety

All members should act as safety officers when at the field and speak to anybody who is acting in an irresponsible or dangerous manner in breach of BMFA and Club rules. Any incident is to be reported to a member of the committee.

26 Smoking

There shall be no smoking at club meetings.

27 Matters Not Covered

In the event of a matter not being set out in the rules the committee will make a decision which will stand until the next AGM or EGM.

 

28 Club Dissolution

 

In the event of The Club being unable to fly after a period of 12 months a decision will be taken at an AGM or EGM to dissolve The Club. A vote will be taken and at least 50% of those members present must be in favour of dissolving The Club.

The total assets of The Club shall be collated, and its equipment sold. The total cash will be shared between qualifying members. Only senior of more than 1 year’s continuous membership will be eligible. Junior members will not qualify. Each qualifying member will receive 1 share for each continuous year of membership up to a maximum of 10 years. Shares will be added up and the total divided into the total funds available. Members will be informed by The Secretary of their entitlement, and they will then have 1 week in which to contact The Secretary if they disagree with the amount stated. Any disputes must be supported by written proof. After the allocation of The Club assets the Barton’s Point Model Flying Club would cease to exist.

29 Children and Vulnerable Adults

 

All children who are either Junior Members of The Club or are accompanying any Senior Member must, always while present on our Site, be with and be the responsibility of their parent or legal guardian. Under no circumstances will this responsibility be transferred to The Club or any other member. Children are those under eighteen years old. The same requirements exist in respect of vulnerable adults.

30 Flying Other Members Aircraft

Any Member who offers his aircraft to be flown by another member for whatever reason does so at their own risk. The owner of the aircraft is to apportion no blame to the pilot for any damage that may be caused to the aircraft. Obviously, the pilot must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the flight is safe and without incident. No blamecan be apportioned to the pilot or The Club in the event of loss.

 

31 Flying Hours

 

Permitted model flying times are daily from 10am to 8pm or dusk if earlier. Silent flight is unrestricted from dawn to dusk.