INTRODUCTION TO COLBY RC FLYERS

          Colby RC Flyers (CRCF) is a formally organized club with the express purpose of providing its members with the privilege and opportunity to explore and above all, ENJOY the unique hobby of radio controlled aircraft. All forms of R/C aero modeling are encouraged, including fixed-wing, rotor wing, soaring, and electric aircraft.

Flight instruction is available to any member through the Club’s three-phase qualification program. This instruction system stresses safety and courtesy in all aspects of the sport/hobby, while ensuring that trainees acquire the skills necessary to properly and safely guide their aircraft.

Colby RC Flyers flying site, consists of an improved native sod field in a prairie setting and is open year round to club members and their guests. The Club’s field is located just east of US Highway 25, 6 miles north of the intersection of US Highway 25 and US Highway 24 in Colby, KS.

Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) licensing and a Colby RC Flyers membership are required of all fliers when engaged in flying activities at the club field. Guest flyers must have permission from and be accompanied by a Colby RC Flyers Member when engaged in flying activities at the Club field.

AMA Sporting Licenses are available from the Academy of Model Aeronautics, 5161 East Memorial Drive, Muncie, IN 47302 (800 I FLY AMA), http://www.modelaircraft.org

For information about how you can learn to fly RC and a Colby RC Flyers membership contact any member or any of the following current Club Officers.

President: Bob Dible 785-687-2626
Vice President: Ken Crampton 785-460-0128
Secretary/Treasurer: Marvin Farmer 785-460-7767
Safety Officer/Field Marshal: David Backus 785-460-6941

Monthly Meetings

Colby RC Flyers general membership meets at 1:30 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month. The president shall determine the meeting location and inform the membership.

Flying Site

AMA licensing, in addition to Colby RC Flyers membership, is required of all fliers, when engaged in flying activities at the club field. Guest flyers must have a Colby RC member’s permission when engaged in flying activities at the Club field.

Colby RC Flyers membership is available by mail or at the general membership monthly meetings. AMA Sporting Licenses are available from the Academy of Model Aeronautics, 5161 East Memorial Drive, Muncie, IN 47302 (800 I FLY AMA)

http://www.modelaircraft.org

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
OF
THE COLBY RC FLYERS
(As amended: 01/08/05)

Know all men by these presents that this is the Constitution and By-laws of the Colby RC Flyers.

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I-NAME

The name of this club shall be the Colby RC Flyers (the Club herein.)

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE

Section 1. The objectives of the Club shall be to promote model aircraft building and flying in the general locale of Northwest Kansas and to aid, in so far as possible, the National Program of the AMA and other AMA activities, with a view to the continuing advancement of model aviation in all its phases for the purpose of education, pleasure and recreation on a not for profit basis.

Section 2. All regular and/or special undertakings and activities of the Club shall conform to the policies of the AMA and the regulations of that Organization governing model aircraft contests.

ARTICLE III- MEMBERSHIP

All persons living in the general area of Colby Kansas shall be eligible for membership in the Club, provided they meet the qualifications prescribed by the Club as enumerated in the By-laws of the Club.

ARTICLE 1V- OFFICERS

The officers of the Club shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer, and Safety Officer/Field Marshal, elected from the general membership.

BY-LAWS

Section 1-Membership

Membership in the Club is available to all individuals satisfying the following requirements:

1. Signify a willingness to adhere to all the rules and regulations of the Club as they may from time to time be established pursuant to the by-laws.

Have paid dues for the current period.
Termination of membership in the Club may be accomplished in the following ways:
Voluntarily, by resignation, either verbal or written, to the membership chairperson.
Involuntary, due to non-payment of dues (see Section 6), or at the direction of the Club for flagrant or continued violations of the Club rules and regulations or of Club principles to the detriment of the Club and/or the hobby.
Reinstatement of terminated members may be accomplished in the following ways:
Members who resign in good standing may be reinstated if they can produce a valid AMA license and pay the dues for the current dues period.
All other former members seeking reinstatement will be treated as new applicants and shall be required to pay the requisite dues for the current dues period
Persons dropped from the membership at the direction of the Club will not be considered for reinstatement without the approval of the Club.
Exceptional cases of application for or termination of membership will be clarified by the Club at the instigation of the membership committee.

Section 2-Duties of Officers

The President shall:
Preside at all general meetings.
Act as spokesman for the club.
Appoint chairpersons of all committees
Call appropriate executive groups as needed to carry out necessary business.
Cast the deciding vote in the event of a tie.
Be authorized to sign checks.

The Vice President shall:

1. Act as President when the President is unable or unavailable to serve.

The Secretary-Treasurer shall:
Keep the minutes of all general meetings of the Club.
Cause to be carried out the official correspondence of the Club.
Maintain a file of Club correspondence, insurance records, and so on.
Collect all money dues, disburse it and keep accurate records of all transactions.
Present a report of all transactions to club meetings. An annual Financial Statement to the membership within sixty (60) days next following the end of each calendar year.
Keep all Club funds in a Club checking and/or savings account as approved by the Club.
File and maintain all requisite reports pertinent to retaining charter membership in the AMA.
Keep a record of members in good standing.
Be authorized to sign checks.

Safety Officer-Field Marshal
Responsible for the overall safety environment at the flying field
Responsibility and the authority to bar individuals, whether club members or not, from using or continuing to use the club flying field if they do not adhere to the AMA and club safety rules and procedures.
If the Secretary Treasurer is, for any reason, unable to fulfill his duties, the Safety Officer/Field Marshall shall assist or take over the Secretary Treasure’s duties as needed.
Coordinates all Club approved site improvements and regular and normal site maintenance with assistance of ALL members as needed. The Safety Officer-Field Marshal COORDINATES these activities and ALL members are required to assist when needed.

Section 3-Election of Officers

A. The four officers of the Club (Section 2) are elected by and from the general membership to serve a two-year term.
B. The four officers shall be elected during the January annual meeting.

Section 4-Meetings

The general members shall meet the second Saturday of every month. The president shall give a brief report of Club activities and provide treasury and membership reports as appropriate.
The conduct of the meetings shall be in accordance with regular parliamentary procedure per “Roberts Rules of Order.”

Section 5-Flying Rules and Regulations

All flying activities under the sponsorship of the Club are in accordance with AMA rules and regulations. The Club may appoint a special committee to develop special rules and regulations as may be appropriate to the Club.

Section 6-Dues and Fees

The annual membership dues shall be determined by the Club and approved by a majority vote of the members in good standing at the meeting at which the vote is taken. A change in dues shall become effective on the first day of January next following or coincident with the day on which the vote is taken.
No special assessments shall be levied except upon the recommendation of the Club and approved by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members in good standing.
Current annual membership dues, are $25.00
Any member delinquent in dues beyond January 1st shall forfeit all rights and privileges of membership until said dues are paid. A grace period is extended to March 1st for payment of dues without penalty. Any member delinquent in dues beyond March 1st will be charged an additional ten dollar ($10) as dues penalty and shall forfeit all rights and privileges of membership until said dues and penalty are paid. Those who have not paid their dues by April 1st will be dropped from the Club in poor standing.

Section 7-Special Fund

A. The Treasurer is authorized to receive contributions or specially obtained funds from any individual, group, organization or institution to be applied to the general treasury of the Club.

Section 8-Amendments

A. The general membership shall be notified, in advance, that amendments will be considered at a general meeting. Any member may make proposed amendments to the Constitution and By-lays of the Club in good standing.

Amendments to the Constitution will require an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members in good standing.
Amendments to the By-laws will require a majority vote of members in good standing present at the meeting at which the vote is taken.

FIELD RULES AND MANAGEMENT GUIDE

The objective is to extend the privilege of enjoying the R/C hobby to all members and authorized guests, with maximum emphasis on safety and control. While this guide sets forth Club rules for this objective, nothing herein should overrule common sense and courtesy.

GENERAL ITEMS

All model aircraft operation shall be in accordance with the Official Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) Safety Code and in these field rules.
All pilots shall be current members of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA).
Alcoholic beverages are strictly forbidden at the flying field.
Pilots must have both a current AMA Sporting License and a current Club membership on file for verification when engaged in flying activities at the Club field.
Sponsoring members will be responsible for assuring that their guests’ conduct is in accordance with Club conduct.
All members shall:
Ensure that spectators be aware of restricted areas;
Leash their pets;
Supervise their children;
See that their pit area is free of litter, cigarette butts, airplane parts, etc.

SAFETY ITEMS

A single straight line (flight line) is established for all modeling activity, one side of which is for flying, the other side for pilots, helpers and spectators. Pilots must be aware of and fly accordingly using the diagram of the site posted at the filed that illustrates the flight line.
Deliberate flying behind the flight line is prohibited.
Only Qualified Pilots or Instructor Pilots may fly without assistance; Pilot Trainees may not.
Pilot stations are provided and defined for the express purpose of the safety of all. Pilots shall remain within the station of their choosing and shall only be accompanied by one other individual.
Taxing of aircraft shall only be from the pilot’s own station, onto and on the runway and back to the pilot’s own station.
Aircraft engines shall be started with the nose of the aircraft pointed toward the runway. Do not direct the exhaust toward another model or modeler.
Winch turn-arounds or hi-start stakes on the field shall be clearly marked by a pole and flag.

RADIO CONTROL ITEMS

Each transmitter must have the recommended AMA frequency identification attached to its antenna.
Each Pilot must have the correct Club frequency control pin attached to his transmitter prior to the operation of that transmitter. All transmitters shall be placed in the transmitter impound when not in use.
Frequency control pins may not be removed from another Pilot’s transmitter without the acknowledgment of that Pilot and the placement of that transmitter into the impound area.
Anyone operating a transmitter without possession of the correct frequency control pin, thereby causing the crash of another Pilot’s aircraft on the same frequency who is in possession of the correct frequency control pin, is liable for all damages and injuries resulting from such crash. These may include, but are not necessarily limited to:
Repair or replacement of radio equipment
Repair or replacement of engine
Repair or replacement of aircraft.
The monetary value of damage to models would be determined by the parties involved. If satisfactory assessment of such damage cannot be reached in this manner, all parties agree to be bound by and evaluation made by the Club’s current officers.
Any accident involving personal injury or damage to property other than models shall be immediately reported to a Club officer or current member of the Club.

AIR TRAFFIC/NOISE CONTROL ITEMS

Internal combustion engines may not be operated after dark.
Servicing engines on the runway is prohibited
Two-stroke engines will be equipped with an effective muffler
There shall be no more than six (6) internal combustion powered aircraft in the air at one time.
Each fixed-wing powered aircraft shall be controlled from within designated pilot station on the flight line adjacent to the runway and by no more than two individuals (pilot/spotter, Instructor/trainee or Pilot/guest observer)
All aircraft must be physically constrained while moving between the pit area and the taxiway. Taxiing in the pit area is prohibited
Pilots shall ensure safe clearance onto the runway by looking both ways, then announcing the intent to enter the runway prior to doing so.
Pilots shall announce their intent to land prior to doing so.
Aircraft stalled on the runway should be retrieved as quickly as possible. Intent to walk across the flight line or onto the runway shall be announced prior to doing so.
All aircraft shall land on the flying side of the flight line, in accordance with a left-hand or right-hand traffic pattern approach. Wind direction shall determine the appropriate approach direction.
Landing aircraft shall have access to the runway with the following priority:
Emergency landing
Dead stick powered aircraft
Sailplanes
All others.
Simultaneous operation of fixed-wind-powered aircraft, helicopters and sailplanes demands extra vigilance and consideration on the part of all Pilots. To achieve the most compatible mixed operations, it is recommended that:
Sailplane launches and flight operations be conducted upwind of, and parallel with the runway.
Sailplane landing approach patterns parallel those of powered aircraft.
Powered aircraft maintain reasonable separation from sailplanes in flight.
Helicopter training and hovering operations be conducted from the designated helicopter training area, and all other helicopter operations be conducted from the powered flight line.

IF IN QUESTION CONCERNING THESE RULES PLEASE CONSULT WITH A CLUB OFFICER OR ANY MEMBER OF THE CLUB BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE A MODEL

COLBY R/C FLYERS
PILOT QUALIFICATION PROGRAM
The objectives of the Pilot Qualification Program are to identify three primary levels of pilot proficiency, to clearly define the requirements for advancement through these levels, and to provide qualified instruction at minimal cost to new pilots and the club.
The three levels of proficiency are Pilot Trainee, Qualified Pilot and Instructor Pilot. Progress through the training should be at the aspirant’s own pace, though it is advisable that he acquires as much flight time as possible during such training.
Two Club Instructor Pilots shall make all recommendations for level advancement.
PILOT TRAINEE

Pilot trainees must be a current Club member or guest.
Pilot Trainees may not fly unassisted at the Club field
Any aircraft built or flown by a Pilot Trainee must pass an initial inspection by a Club Instructor Pilot prior to its first flight at the Club field
Pilot Trainees must agree that accidents due to mechanical failure and/or human error are a normal part of flying model aircraft. Therefore, the Pilot Trainee agrees that all costs for the repair of replacement of his/her aircraft are the responsibility of the Pilot Trainee. An exception will be made in the case of gross error or negligence on the part of a Club Instructor Pilot. This exception may be made by the Instructor Pilot or by a Club member of at least Qualified Pilot rank who witnesses the accident.
Pilot Trainees should understand that it is very unlikely that someone could learn to fly a model aircraft without competent help. It is very likely a new pilot would destroy his/her aircraft on the first flight. This is expensive, and often discourages new pilots. This often leads them to abandon model flying.

QUALIFIED PILOT

To attain the level of Qualified Pilot, an aspirant must successfully demonstrate, in the presence of two Club Instructor Pilots, jointly or separately, his/her ability to:

Comprehend all Club rules and regulations.
Range check radio system prior to flight
Perform pre-flight check of aircraft
Then:

For Powered Aircraft:

Start aircraft in a safe manner
Taxi aircraft to correct end of runway while observing status of all other fliers (optional for models without ground handling abilities)
Take off in a safe manner
Fly a distance equal to two lengths of the runway, maintaining constant altitude and heading.
Demonstrate an Horizontal Figure Eight
Land in the correct direction on the runway
Demonstrate the safe return of the aircraft to the pit area

Note: These exercises may be demonstrated in any order, at the aspirant’s discretion.
For non-powered aircraft:

Connect aircraft to launch apparatus, if applicable, while observing the status of all other aircraft.
Launch in a safe manner
Fly a distance equal to two lengths of the runway, maintaining constant altitude and heading.
Land, in the correct direction, on or adjacent to the runway
Demonstrate the safe return of the aircraft to the pit area

Note: These exercises may be demonstrated in any order, at the aspirant’s discretion.

INSTRUCTOR PILOT

To attain the level of Instructor Pilot, an aspirant must successfully demonstrate, in the presence of two Club Instructor Pilots, jointly or separately, his ability to:

Perform a pre-flight check of new or rebuilt aircraft.
Quiz Trainee or Qualified Pilots as to their knowledge of club rules and regulations
Give verbal flight instructions in a clear, calm, easily understood manner
Demonstrate flying proficiency equal to, or above that of the General Membership, by
Properly trimming an out-of-trim trainer aircraft in flight.
Recovering a trainer aircraft from and unusual flight attitude.
Demonstrating dead-stick landing procedure.

Before applying for Instructor Pilot status, aspirants should be prepared to accept responsibility for their accessibility and their willingness to invest sufficient time to assist a reasonable number of Club Members or Guests in learning to fly radio controlled aircraft.