Flying Site Rules and Procedures

Albany Thundervolts R/C Club
Albany, OR 97321

Private Property

Our site is private property, donated for club use through the courtesy of Teledyne Wah Chang, Albany. For its use we are to keep the brush down, keep the grass mowed, and keep it clean and neat in appearance at all times. We share this property with the land owners, people that use the building adjacent to our shared parking area, and the company that farms the land we fly over. As a courtesy to all concerned, we do not block gates, driveways or entrances to buildings.

Gate

We share the entrance to our flying site with other people. It is important that we do not lock these people out. There are two locks on the gate and one is connected through the other and then attached to the post allowing all parties access to the property. Pay attention as to how the locks are coupled together so you do not deny access to other parties. Our lock is a combination padlock. The combination to our lock is changed each year or as needed) and will be given to you when you have met all membership criteria. Giving out the combination is forbidden and grounds for your membership to be terminated.

Parking

Do not park in any place that would restrict access to buildings or gates. No vehicles are to be driven or parked north of the railroad tie area, except for field maintenance.

Garbage

The club has provided trash cans at the site for litter, and although these cans are there for our use, they still have to be emptied. The club would appreciate you taking your own litter home with you and disposing of it there. Police your pit area and crash site(s), pickup broken props, spinners, rubber bands etc. when you are finished flying for the day. Pickup after yourself and others if need be. It is a small price to pay for our flying site.

Club House

This building is more of a storage unit than a club house. In it we store the frequency board, lawn chairs, and maintenance items needed at the site. The building is used for a transmitter impound area at contests and a concession stand at picnics. It stores an electric winch for glider launching and is most often used as a bulletin board. The door is padlocked and has the same combination as the gate lock.

Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) Membership

We are an AMA chartered club and all persons operating or flying model aircraft at our flying site must have a current AMA membership card. Compliance with the Academy of Model Aeronautics Safety code is the responsibility of all members when operating model aircraft at our flying site.
Albany Thunderbolts R/C Club Membership Card When you fly at our site have your club membership and AMA membership cards on your person. It is the responsibility of all
club members to ask to see your Club and AMA membership cards if they do not know you.

Guests at our Flying Site

As a member of our club it is your responsibility to make sure that your guest(s) are members of the AMA and that they are in compliance with all AMA safety codes and that our club rules and procedures are explained and followed.

Solo Flight

The Albany Thunderbolts R/C Club requires that each of its members demonstrate their piloting abilities to a chief instructor. This demonstration will allow the instructor to evaluate your piloting abilities, make recommendations for dual flight time with an instructor if needed. If the instructor is satisfied with your demonstration he will sign the face of your club membership card indicating that you are OK for solo flight at our flying site.

Flying Hours

Flying hours for glow and ignition type model aircraft are from 9:00 am until dusk.

Fenced Pit Area

Our pit area is enclosed with a construction type fencing material. It is there for our protection and to establish boundaries between flight activities and spectators. Only pilots and helpers are allowed in the pit area.

Engine Start-ups and Noise

The use of a glove, chicken stick or electric starter is highly recommended when starting model aircraft engines. Appropriate mufflers are required on model aircraft engines operated at our flying site to reduce the noise level (see AMA guidelines) below a point that may jeopardize the continued use of our site.

Taxiing Out Of The Pit Area

There will be no taxing in the pit area without the pilot or his/her helper having physical control (hand on the aircraft at all times) over the aircraft.

Taxiing Into The Pit Area

No taxiing into the pit area is allowed. The engine shut down area when approaching the pits is at the fence protecting the pits.

Pilot Boxes

We have six pilot boxes along the pilot line. We expect them to be used. The pilot areas are fenced with the same construction type material as the pit area. We wish to provide the pilot, his/her caller or instructor protection from any mishaps that might occur during a landing or taxiing incident. The pilot areas are large enough to accommodate the pilot and a caller/instructor.

Flight Line (Dead Line)

The flight line is an imaginary line located at the south edge of our runway and extending to infinity on either side of you when facing the runway. This is a do not cross line when flying your model aircraft and is for the protection of you, spectators and property. You will be warned in the event you cross this line while flying your aircraft and continued violation will result in your membership privileges being terminated.

Truax Oil Company

At the southeast corner of the property, and behind the flight line is Truax Oil Company. We have had a complaint from them about flying over the business and property. This area is behind the flight line and there is no reason for you to pilot your aircraft over their property. Doing so could and will jeopardize our welcome at our flying site. Violations will not be tolerated. Fenced Area and Ponds at the West End of our Flying Site In the event you should have a downed aircraft in the fenced area, DO NOT CLIMB the fence for retrieval. Call the phone number posted on the club house window for assistance. Violating this rule will cost us our flying site and at the least your membership. Think about your fellow club members and your membership before you climb the fence.

Frequency Board and Frequency Numbers on Transmitters

The frequency board is stored in the club house. Generally when more than one person is flying at the site the board is brought out and hung on the hooks on the front side of the club house. It is the responsibility of the last person flying to return the frequency board to the club house and then lock up the club house. Many of you are familiar with this type of transmitter frequency control. You remove a number card from the frequency board that has your transmitter channel on it. You replace this card with your AMA card. This tells others on your channel several things. The channel is in use and not to turn on their transmitters. It allows others on the same channel to locate you and see about sharing flying time, and it allows the club to track down the number card that you forgot to replace when you went home, in exchange for your AMA card of course. A good practice is, after each flight return the number card to the frequency board and retrieve your AMA card. Frequency numbers are mandatory on all transmitters.

Intoxicants

Intoxicants of any type will not be allowed on the premises.

Violation of Rules

Violations of these rules and procedures are to be brought before the Board of Directors at their next regular meeting or session. (AS SOON AS POSSIBLE). Appropriate action will be decided by a vote of the majority of board members present. Safe flying is no accident; it is something that you work at all the time. Rules are a necessity, not a nuisance. Your help will insure a better and safer flying site.