Rules of the Club

The safety of pilots and spectators is of paramount importance to all members of the club, we expect all members to comply with the club rules and to project a favourable image of our sport. The club does not discriminate on the grounds of sex, religion, ethnic origin or disability.

The club rules are as follows:-

1. Longford Model Aero Club fully adopts the constitution of the MACI.

2. Visitors may only fly at the club with the express permission of a full member of LMAC.

3. Proof of insurance must be provided by all guests.

4. Members are deemed to be responsible for the behaviour of their guests.

5. Guests must comply with all club rules.

6. No flying is permitted within the hours of 8.00 pm and 11.00 am on any day (applicable to the Lisduff site only).

7. The instructions of the safety officer(s) must be followed at all times.

8. All members must fly on their allocated frequency (new members to refer to rule no. 31)

9. All members must check that their frequency is available prior to operating their transmitter.

10. All members must use the frequency pegboard provided by the club.

11. Switching on of any transmitter without first obtaining the correct frequency peg will be a serious offence.

12. Members who have not passed the MACI "A" test must not fly alone at any club site.

13. No member may fly at any LMAC site without another member in attendance.

14. All new or repaired models must be presented for inspection to a member of at least "A" cert standard.

15. Only persons engaged in flying or teaching will be allowed in the vicinity of the patch.

16. The pits area will be at least twenty five metres from the patch. (applicable to the Lisduff site only)

17. Over flying of the pits area is strictly forbidden.

18. Large power models over 7 kg or 2.5 metres wingspan must be registered with the MACI.

19. Large power models over 7 kg or 2.5 metres wingspan must be registered with the MACI.

20. Club membership cards must be carried at all times.

21. Vehicles must park only in the designated areas.

22. Dangerous flying will be investigated by the committee and the appropriate action taken.

23. Helicopters may be started in the pits area, but all rotors must be kept static.

24. Helicopters must not be flown less than twenty five metres from the pits area.

25. Helicopter pilots must position themselves between the pits area and the model while flying.

26. The committee's decision in all disputes shall be deemed final.

27. Membership is initially for a 12 month period before full membership is accepted.

28. Separate site flying instructions will be issued from time to time, all members should accept that it is their responsibility to acquaint themselves with instructions relative to any particular site prior to flying at that site. If in any doubt please check with a committee member of the club before visiting the site.

29. Disciplinary decisions by the committee may be appealed to a full meeting of the club

30. Acceptance of these rules is a condition of club membership.

31. New members will be allocated a *frequency by the club and shall not use any other frequency in their equipment at an LMAC site. (A period of up to one month is permitted for members to obtain crystals for their allocated frequency). Note : Members will be held responsible for all damage sustained to another model should such damage be caused by negligence on their part. Such infringements may be brought before the committee by the safety officer, or any full member for consideration.

All "dead stick" landings must be called, "dead stick" landings have priority over "power on" landings.

Mid air collisions are deemed accidental, however perceived dangerous flying will be frowned upon and will be investigated by the club.

The adoption of safe practices ensure the enjoyment of our sport by all LMAC members, there is no substitute for common sense, model aircraft can be extremely dangerous in the wrong hands. * The frequency allocation scheme is designed to minimize frequency clashes at LMAC flying site(s), however it is worth bearing in mind that due to the limited number of frequencies some of the frequencies may be shared by more than one member.

The club rules are, by necessity comprehensive, please accept that they are put in place to protect. Longford Model Aero Club Pre-flight checks and Safety Notes: · Completely charge your transmitter and receiver batteries before flying. · Check every bolt and glue joint including control surface hinges. · Double check tightness of all servo horn retaining screws. · Double check that the receiver and nicad are properly secured in the fuselage. · Double check the balance of the model with the fuel tank empty. · Check all control surfaces, they should move in the correct direction with no binding. · Make sure dual rates, if used, are on low rates. · Check the receiver antenna is fully extended and not coiled in the fuselage. · Properly balance the propeller, excessive vibration will occur if you don't . The following are our general guidelines for your safety and the safety of other members.

Please read fully and understand before going to our flying site for the first time.

Do not test fly your model until it has been checked by an experienced modeller of at least 'A' certificate standard. · Do not fly your model in excess of approx three hundred feet. · When flying at the field you should fully abide with the club's safety and other rules. You should not fly in a deliberately reckless or dangerous manner. · When flying you must not fly deliberately behind the flight line. · You should complete a successful range check of your radio equipment each new day of flying or prior to the first flight or repair of a model. · Your first turn, after take off, should always be away from the pits area. · Always check your frequency is available to you and that you have the correct frequency peg before switching on your transmitter. (Failure to do so may prove expensive to you !). · The clubs rules regarding the flying of helicopters and the positioning of the flying area must be strictly complied with at all times. · The day to day decisions of the safety officer(s) will be complied with at all times by members.

M.A.C.I Appendix B
Bye-Laws Flying Site Approval Passed 12/04/81 and amended

General Policy

Our member to member insurance policy requires that flying shall take place only from "approved flying sites" and the following should constitute the categorization of such approved flying sites for radio control use.

The site should be large enough to provide a minimum of approx. 300m x 100m clear space, containing no buildings, people or roads.

Unobstructed take off and landings, approaches.

No overhead cables, telephone wires etc. within the flying site.

No overflying of spectators or of the car parking area!!

A minimum separation of 200m from residential buildings or other noise sensitive areas, for powered aircraft.

Flying shall be limited to fully paid up and insured members of M.A.C.I. at all times. No non M.A.C.I. members shall be allowed to fly in any site under the Bye-laws other than bonafide visitors from outside Ireland who are themselves members of and insured with the relevant controlling body for model aviation in the country of residence.

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