Other recommended field safety practices

1. Do NOT fly alone.

2. Turn on your aircraft receiver first. If your rudder, elevator, or ailerons 'chatter', your frequency may be in use.     Double check to make sure that no one is using your frequency. Don't bring down someone else's airplane!

5. Do not reach over your aircraft's prop! Except for holding the airplane while starting, do not reach over the airplane's propeller. As soon as it is started, move behind the engine to remove your engine's glow plug igniter and make any engine adjustments.

AMA Safety Code

1997 Official AMA National Model Aircraft Safety Code

Model Flying MUST be in accordance with this Code in order for AMA liability protection to apply.

1. I will not fly my model aircraft in sanctioned events, air shows, or model flying demonstrations until it has been proven to be airworthy by having been previously successfully flight tested.

2. I will not fly my model higher than approximately 400 feet within 3 miles of an airport without notifying the airport operator. I will give right-of-way and avoid flying in the proximity of full-scale aircraft. Where necessary, an observer shall be utilized to supervise flying to avoid having models fly in the proximity of full-scale aircraft.

3. Where established, I will abide by the safety rules for the flying site I use, and I will not willfully and deliberately fly my models in a careless, reckless and/or dangerous manner.

4. At all flying sites a straight or curved line(s) must be established in front of which all flying takes place with the other side for spectators. Only those persons essential to the flight operations are permitted on the flying side of the line; all others must be on the spectator side. Flying over the spectator side of the line is prohibited, unless beyond the control of the pilot(s). In any case, the maximum permissible takeoff weight of models is 55 pounds.

5. At air shows or model flying demonstrations a single straight line must be established, one side of which is for flying, the other side for spectators. Only those persons accredited by the contest director or other appropriate official as necessary for flight operations or as having duties or functions relating to the conduct of the show or demonstration are to be permitted on the flying side of the line. The only exceptions which may be permitted to the single straight line requirements, under special circumstances involving consideration of the conditions and model size, weight, speed and power, must be jointly approved by the AMA President and the Executive Director.

6. Under all circumstances, if my model weighs over 20 pounds, I will fly in accordance with paragraph 5 of this section of the AMA Safety Code.

7. I will not fly my model unless it is identified with my name and address or AMA number on or in the model. Note: This does not apply to models flown indoors.

8. I will not operate models with metal-bladed propellers or with gaseous boosts, in which gases other than air enter their internal combustion engine(s); nor will I operate models with extremely hazardous fuels such as those containing tetranitromethane or hydrazine.

9. I will not operate models with pyrotechnics (any device that explodes, burns, or propels a projectile of any kind) including but not limited to, rockets, explosive bombs dropped from models, smoke bombs, all explosive gases (such as hydrogen-filled balloons), ground mounted devices launching a projectile. The only exceptions permitted are rockets flown in accordance with the National Model Rocketry Safety Code or those permanently attached (as per JATO use); also those items authorized for Air Show Team use as defined by AST Advisory Committee (document available from AMA HQ). In any case, models using rocket motors as a primary means of propulsion are limited to a maximum weight of 3.3 pounds and a G series motor. Note: A model aircraft is defined as an aircraft with or without engine, not able to carry a human being.

10. I will not operate any turbo jet engine (axial or centrifugal flow) unless I have obtained a special waiver for such specific operations from the AMA President and Executive Director and I will abide by any restriction(s) imposed for such operation by them. (Note: this does not apply to ducted fan models using piston engines or electric motors.)

11. I will not consume alcoholic beverages prior to, nor during, participation in any model operations.

RADIO CONTROL

1. I will have completed a successfully radio equipment ground range check before the first flight of a new or repaired model.

2. I will not fly my model aircraft in the presence of spectators until I become a qualified flier, unless assisted by an experienced helper.

3. I will perform my initial turn after takeoff away from pit or spectator areas, and I will not thereafter fly over pit or spectator areas, unless beyond my control.

4. I will operate my model using only radio control frequencies currently allowed by the Federal Communications Commission (Only properly licensed Amateurs are authorized to operate equipment on Amateur Band frequencies.)

5. I will not knowingly operate an R/C system within 3 miles of a pre-existing model club flying site without a frequency sharing agreement with that club.

6. I will not fly my model aircraft in any racing competition which allows models over 20 pounds, unless that competition event is AMA sanctioned. (For the purposes of this paragraph, competition is defined as any situation where a winner is determined.)

7. Every organized racing event requires that all officials, callers, and contestants must properly wear helmets which are OSHA, DOT, ANSI or SNELL approved while on the race course. In addition, all officials occupying safety cages must wear protective eyewear.

Additional rules apply for FREE FLIGHT and CONTROL LINE and Model Rocket operations — see the relevant AMA publications.