It is your responsibility, as a member of Wanstead Model Flying Club, to familiarise yourself with the Club Constitution and to adhere to the Club Rules.
Any breach of the club rules will be dealt with in accordance with the section headed Rules, Discipline and Safety in the Club Constitution.
1. Parked cars must not block the bridle path on the road side (west) of the access track.
2. All members flying at the site must have in their possession a validated Model Aircraft Permit issued by Wanstead Model Flying Club, a valid certificate of insurance, and a BMFA `A`-Test certificate if passed during the present year. Failure to comply will result in instant grounding. The Model Aircraft Permit must be produced on demand by a Club Official or a Forest Ranger. It is an offence under Epping Forest byelaws to fly without a Permit in your possession.
3. Flying days and times are printed on your Model Aircraft Permit and repeated at the end of this document.
4. The site rubbish bins must not be used for disposing of any model aircraft parts. These must be taken away from the flying site.
5. All members must make use of the pegboard system if available. On all other occasions, members must check with other flyers before switching on their radio equipment.
6. If using 35MHz frequency band, do not switch on your radio transmitter without checking to see if your frequency is clear and that you have a proper I.D. peg in the pegboard. If you cause another member to crash by failing to adhere to this rule, then you will be held responsible for the full cost of repair or replacement of their equipment.
7. In accordance with the Air Navigation Order, aircraft of any type that weigh more than 7.0kg excluding fuel but including batteries or any attached items at point of take-off must not be flown at the flying site under any circumstances. Note that a lower weight limit of 3.5kg applies to any aircraft operated under FPV. See clause 23.
8. The failsafe setting for any aircraft fitted with a suitable receiver must be ‘throttle at idle’.
9. The maximum noise level is not to exceed 80db reading at a distance of 7m from the aircraft . The average of the readings taken from the front, rear and both sides of the model with the engine at maximum revs will be used.
10. Taxiing is allowed from the pits out to the strip only from the last model in the pits area.
11. No taxiing is allowed back from the strip into the pits area or within 15ft, 5m of the pilots box.
12. All landings and take offs will be from the landing strip and NOT from the pegboard/pits area.
13. Hand-launching aircraft of any type must be at least 15ft, 5m from the pilots box and in a direction heading away from the pilots box.
14. All types of aircraft must be flown within the stipulated boundaries only (see site plan). Particular attention is drawn to the proximity of the road, car parking area and pits area which must not be overflown under any circumstances.
15. No more than 6 aircraft of any type may be in the air at any one time. It is the responsibility of the pilot to ensure that, before taxiing onto the flying strip or taking off by any means, they do not exceed this number.
16. Overflying spectators or members of the public is to be avoided whenever possible unless at a safe height.
17. If any club member observes members of the public approaching the flying area, they must warn the pilots of the risk and location. The pilots must adjust their flying accordingly.
18. It is illegal to fly near any full size aircraft. To do so will be regarded as gross misconduct. See section headed Rules, Discipline and Safety in the Club Constitution.
19. All low flying shall take place in the airspace above the flying strip and away from other flyers and members of the public.
20. Low flying is not permitted when aircraft are landing or when a learner is practicing landings or during an `A`-test.
21. Any manoeuvres over or on the landing strip must be announced clearly for other pilots’ attention. Examples are ‘Taxiing’, ‘Taking off’, ‘Landing’, ‘Aborting’, ‘Low Pass’ and ‘On the strip’ for aircraft retrieval.
22. If a pilot announces ‘Dead Stick’, all other pilots must immediately direct their aircraft to a safe height or distance from the landing strip until the un-powered aircraft is on the ground.
23. All qualifying members wishing to fly multicopters must pass the `A`-Test in helicopters or multicopters before flying solo. The conditions for qualifying are defined in the Club Constitution, clause 3.
24. Before flying FPV (first person view) with any type of aircraft, the member must be aware of the current Air Navigation Order and associated exemptions applicable at the time of the flight. In particular, there must be a competent observer who maintains direct unaided visual contact with the aircraft to monitor its flight path in relation to other aircraft, persons, vehicles and structures for the purpose of avoiding collisions and advises the pilot accordingly.
25. Any unsafe flying or practise seen by a Club member should be reported to the Field Marshall, Safety Officer or committee member present.
26. Potential instructors must submit themselves to the Club`s authorised examiner for an air test of their ability and understanding of safety conditions before being permitted to instruct novices.
27. Associate members will be allowed to join the club. They will not have to pay Insurance or permit fees. They will be allowed to fly only when accompanied by a full member who will have control via a buddy lead, up to a maximum of six visits per calendar year.
28. All flying must be carried out in a responsible manner. All members must make sure that they adhere to the Club Rules.
29. Non-members will not be allowed onto the flight-line/flying strip/pilots box unless accompanying a junior pilot.
30. All Club members have been issued with the Club Constitution by electronic means or hard copy and are assumed to be familiar with the contents.
31. Any breach of the Club Rules or abuse of other club members or the general public will be dealt with by the committee in accordance with the Club Constitution.
Permitted Flying Times:
Monday – 10.30am to sunset
Tuesday – 10.30am to sunset
Wednesday – 10.30am to sunset
Thursday – No flying at any time
Friday – 10.30am to sunset
Saturday – 1.00pm to sunset
Sunday – 1.00pm to sunset
Flying any type of powered aircraft outside these times is prohibited under bye-law as described in your Epping Forest Power-Driven Model Aircraft Permit.
Any breach by a member will be regarded as gross misconduct.
ABOVE ALL, COMMON-SENSE, TOLERANCE AND RESPECT FOR USERS OF WANSTEAD FLATS, INCLUDING OTHER MEMBERS, IS THE ATTITUDE THAT THE CLUB REQUIRES FROM ALL OF ITS MEMBERS.
PLEASE KEEP THE SITE TIDY.