We have a lovely flying site near London Colney in Hertfordshire, where we have been flying for over 24 years. 

We are one of the largest clubs in the country, with around 200 members. We have worked hard to improve our facilities and we are proud that our site is now one of the best.

Thanks to a very helpful landlord, we have recently extended our grassed field by over 50% and installed a mains electrical supply to the club hut, so now we have somewhere warm and dry whatever the weather outside.

We are predominantly a “fixed wing” club, and cannot take any new members who wish to fly helicopters. Our field can accommodate larger models and even jets (if they can fly from grass). We welcome members of all standards including new flyers. We have a great team of instructors for new flyers, who are able to provide training for a maximum of 10 new members each year. New applicants who hold either “A” or “B” BMFA certificates are more likely to succeed in their application, as they will not need our instructors’ services.

We have worked in conjunction with the BMFA to ensure that our site layout and club rules are consistent with the highest attainable safety levels. We recognize that flying model aircraft can carry some danger but this can be minimized with just a little common sense. Although we are very conscious of the need for safety, we want our members to have fun with their hobby without being overburdened with unnecessary rules.

If you require further information eMail us on:

Location

BMFA Affiliation

The BMFA Power Achievement scheme is actively promoted within the Club. In fact novice flyers are not allowed to fly without supervision. The Club Instructors under the guidance of our Chief Instructor, aim to progress the novices to "A" certificate standard as soon as possible. Once in possession of the “A” certificate, you are allowed to fly unaccompanied. Click here to view the BMFA web site which is an excellent source of information.

PMFC Child Welfare & Vulnerable Adult Policy

In general, all members should be conscious of the welfare of junior members and vulnerable adults whilst at the flying site or any club activity/event. This is largely a matter of common sense provided everyone is clear on what is expected of them and a few simple principles are adhered to. It is not a responsibility to be feared but is, nevertheless, essential if we are to remain a club that offers opportunities for all to enjoy our hobby.

The committee takes a balanced approach, responsibility is a two-way thing and any irresponsible behavior from junior members will not be tolerated.

Lionel Newell has kindly agreed to act as the Welfare Officer for our club. The Welfare Officer acts as a focal point for all child and vulnerable adult issues and is the prime point of contact for parents, guardians and carers.

The telephone numbers of the Club Committee and the Child Welfare Officer are printed in the club magazine and posted in the Clubhouse. If in any doubt please feel free to contact the Club Committee and the Child Welfare Officer.

Note: Copies of the BMFA policy can be obtained from the BMFA web site at: http://www.bmfa.org.

• A junior member is defined as anyone being under 18 years of age.
• A vulnerable adult is defined as a person of 18 years of age or over but through mental or physical attributes requires a higher level of supervision than would be normally commensurate with an adult member.
• A responsible adult is defined as the legal parent or guardian who has the clearance, experience, knowledge and training commensurate with the type and degree of supervision required.

Policy

These guidelines cover both general behavior and training activities must be followed by everyone:>

1. All club members must not use abusive or potentially offensive language in the presence of any junior member (or junior guest). Similarly, if a guest is using abusive or potentially offensive language in the presence of juniors, then they should be asked to refrain from doing so.

2. If instructing a junior member or vulnerable adult, the following must be observed:

• there must be at least 2 instructors present at all times during instruction
• there must be minimal physical contact with a junior member or vulnerable adult whilst providing instruction

3. Any member (or guest of a member) aged 14 years or under must be directly supervised by a parent or guardian at all times. This supervision is required whilst attending either the flying site or any other club activity/event.

4. Any member (or guest of a member) aged between 14 and 16 years who wishes to attend the flying site or any club activity/event without a parent or guardian being present must provide the club with written permission from a parent or guardian in advance. This permission must be provided to the club in writing and acknowledged by the club.

5. If any member (or guest of a member) as described in clause 4 above is left unaccompanied, a contact telephone number must be given to the person responsible at the flying site and the parent/guardian must be prepared to return immediately to the site.

6. Whilst supervising children or vulnerable adults, members should avoid placing themselves in a position that could be open to misinterpretation or question in accordance with BMFA policy. Remember, the policy is there to protect you as well as children and vulnerable adults.

Club Rules

Our club rules do change from time to time (usually at the AGM). They are intended to promote safe and considerate flying.  Safety is our number one priority. Deliberate violation of safety rules is not tolerated and will result in suspension of membership.

Phoenix Model Flying Club Rules (amended December 2, 2010)

A. Constitution

A.1. Membership

• A.1.1. The Club shall consist of Honorary members, who shall be selected by the Committee, and Active members who will pay subscriptions


• A.1.2. Applications for membership of the Club shall be submitted in writing with appropriate joining fee, and must be approved by the Committee. New membership is subject to a three-month probationary period.


• A.1.3. Any new member joining the club will on production to the committee of proper evidence of an “A” or “B” BMFA certificate of competence will be issued with a Phoenix club card with “A” or “B” thereon and will be entitled to fly unaccompanied. All others will be issued with a novice card with the letter “N” thereon and will be entitled to fly providing that they are under the supervision of an accredited club instructor – or a “B” certificate club member.


• A.1.4. New members must clearly display a current membership card attached to their clothing for the first 12 months of their membership, or until such time as they are well known to other members. Guest flyers must display their guest card at all times. Display of membership cards is optional for established members, but they should have their cards with them to confirm their membership, if asked to do so by any other club member.


• A.1.5. Committee  members may issue a guest card to a member who invites a  guest having given prior notice of his intention to do so and proper evidence that the guest has achieved a minimum of “A” level of flying achievement. The Guest must also show a current BMFA Insurance Certificate


• A.1.6. The Committee shall have the right to expel any member of the Club in cases of misconduct or intentional breach of Club Rules. This will be in the form of a written letter to the person(s) concerned.


• A.1.7. Any member expelled or resigning from the Club shall forfeit all subscriptions paid.


• A.1.8. Any member of the Club not having paid his renewal subscriptions by the 16th of January shall be deemed to have left the Club.


• A.1.9. Any member wishing to propose an alteration to these Flying Club Rules must send written notice of the proposed alteration to the Secretary at least 28 days before the AGM.


• A.1.10. A copy of these rules will be supplied free to each member on request or after any alteration.


• A.1.11. Members shall have powers to vote on matters arising at all AGM’s (which shall be held on the first Wednesday of December) or any Extraordinary General meeting (which may be convened at the written request of twelve or more Club members).

A.2. Finance

• A.2.1. The Club monies shall be vested in the Treasurer.


• A.2.2. A statement of accounts shall be furnished quarterly by the Treasurer to the Committee, which shall be certified by the Chairman at the quarterly meetings of the Committee


• A.2.3. The accounting financial year shall run from 1st November to 31st October.


• A.2.4. At the end of each financial year a “Budget” will be prepared and furnished to the Committee by the Treasurer. This budget shall outline projected expenditure discussed and provisionally agreed by the Committee for the coming year. Once approved by the Committee, this budget will be “Published” at the earliest opportunity using whatever electronic or hard copy media is most appropriate at the time to communicate with members..


• A.2.5. This will form the basis upon which the subsequent year’s subscriptions will be calculated and approved by the Committee – such that sufficient reserves are collected to finance the projected club activities.


• A.2.6. Any excess over expenditure as shown by the Club accounts will in no event be distributed to individual members but will be set aside for future club benefit.


• A.2.7. In the event of a claim being made against the Club, no Committee member will be held more responsible than any other member of the Club.


• A.2.8. The Club is affiliated to the British Model Flying Association. Membership fees will include the BMFA subscription unless already paid through any other affiliated club for which proof will be required. Junior members (under the age of 18yrs at renewal date) and full time students are eligible for reduced subscriptions, upon application to the Committee.


• A.2.9. Junior members (under the age of 18yrs at renewal date) and full time students are eligible for reduced subscriptions, upon application to the Committee.

A.3. Committee

• A.3.1. The management of the club shall be in the hands of a Committee, consisting of Secretary, Membership Secretary, Treasurer, and a Chairman, plus a number of elected Members, duly elected by the Club membership, at an Annual General Meeting. During the year the Committee may co-opt further members to join the Committee to fulfill specific functions. These co-opted members may offer themselves for election by the members at the next AGM as elected members of the Committee.


• A.3.2. The Committee shall retire annually, and be eligible for re-election.


• A.3.3. Nominations for new Committee members must be submitted at least 21 days before the AGM. Candidates must be nominated by two members and include a note confirming that they will be willing to serve.


• A.3.4. All Committee members shall pay subscriptions and will receive no remuneration or payment for their services other than expenses incurred on behalf of the Club properly authorised by two committee members.


• A.3.5. The Committee shall meet at least once a quarter; a properly instituted quorum being three members.


• A.3.6. Any matter not covered by this Constitution /Club Rules will be decided by the Committee.


• A.3.7. Rule /Constitution changes may be altered only at an AGM or Extraordinary General meeting of the members. The Committee reserve the right to change any rules, flying procedures, or patch layouts, as they relate to safety at any time should they consider this necessary.

B. Flying Procedures

B.1. Safety Regulations - (General)

• B.1.1. Safety rules concerning the proper maintenance of model aircraft and their safe flying –as adopted and published by the BMFA from time to time, and which form part of the “A” & “B” BMFA achievement schemes must be followed.


• B.1.2. Members must fly in accordance with the requirements of Air Navigation Orders at all times.


• B.1.3. Observance of flying procedures and radio usage are essential to members safety. Regular or continued infringement of rules especially those, which are meant to promote safety within the club, will not be tolerated.


• B.1.4. Accidents or actions which may result in an insurance claim or injury to a third party, must be reported to the committee as soon as possible.


• B.1.5. Members should not have mobile phones switched on within the BMFA recommended minimum distance of 10 meters from any active transmitter.

B.2. Radio Usage

B.2.1 - 35 Mhz Systems

B.2.2 – 2.4 Ghz Radio Systems

• B.2.2.1. There is no requirement for users of commercially available 2.4Ghz radio systems to place a Black peg on the side of the pegboard.

B.2.3 – All Frequencies

• B.2.3.1. Where a radio system is used that incorporates a failsafe (whether on 35 Mhz or 2.4 Ghz) pilots must ensure that the failsafe system is set to close the throttle and move the control surfaces to a position that ensures as far as is possible that the aircraft meets the ground within the boundaries of the flying area.


• B.2.3.2. Radios should not be carried beyond the pilot’s box whilst retrieving a landed model and aerials on 35 Mhz transmitters should be retracted on completion of each flight.


• B.2.3.3. Members may take a radio onto the patch in order to stand behind a model during take-off after first advising pilots who are already flying.

B.3. Patch Layout – Flying Rules (Safety)

• B.3.1.The Flying Site Layout is normally displayed on the Club notice board adjacent to the pits area (copies obtainable from the Secretary). Members should familiarize themselves with the layout before attempting to fly their aircraft. In particular the position and direction of flight lines (and their application in various wind directions), appropriate pilot’s box, and “strict no fly zones”. The Flying Site Layout forms part of these Rules and must be complied with.


• B.3.2. Standard BMFA safety checks will be carried out before each flying session and all models must be fitted with an effective silencer.


• B.3.3.Taxiing. The “Pits” is the area between the edge of the patch behind the club hut and the line of the model stands. Taxiing in the pits is not permitted – the model must be moved by hand into the taxiing area. The area between the model stand line and the flight line (marked with another line of stones and yellow poles) is the “taxiing area”. Pilots are free to taxi models in this area, but must not taxi towards members who may be in the taxiing area, nor towards pilots standing in the pilots box. At busy periods when the taxiing area is crowded, the model should be restrained and steered by hand.


• B.3.4. Pilots entering the flying area (i.e. beyond the flight line poles) for any reason, must give the normal “on the patch” shout. When taking off or landing, a “taking off” or “landing” shout should always be given.


• B.3.5. Hand launched models should be taken beyond the appropriate (according to wind direction) flight line before launching. Pilots in the pilot’s box should be warned of your intention to launch the model.


• B.3.6. All takeoffs, flying and landing to be beyond the appropriate flight line. In no event should the model be allowed to stray into the “no fly zones”- clearly shown on the Flying Site Layout.


• B.3.7. All pilots to stand inside the designated pilots box whilst flying their model.


• B.3.8. Flying in the “No Fly Zone” (incorporating the pits, taxiing area, car park, and over or close to the M25) shown and more clearly defined by the “Flying Site Layout” -- is strictly forbidden.


• B.3.9. All Flying (not forming part of a tight turn into wind), including landing approaches, in the direction of the pits is not permitted. Aerobatics which might involve reduction of complete control of the model –spins/stalls etc must be conducted beyond the flight line and well away from the direction of the pits. Wind direction towards the pits tends to increase this risk.

• Flying over or near to the M25 is prohibited.

• All Flying including landing approaches in the direction of the pits is not permitted. Aerobatics, which might involve reduction of, complete control of the model – spins/stalls etc must be conducted beyond the flight line and well away from the direction of the pits. Wind direction towards the pits tends to increase this risk.

• When more than one model is in the air flying over the patch should be into wind- or the same agreed direction if there is no wind.

• Landings should be clearly called and have precedence over aircraft taking off.

• Pilots should not fly over or within 50 metres of members who are on the patch or in the crops retrieving models. “Fun fly” modellers may fly to the above rules or request a fun fly ”slot” of up to 20 minutes for their exclusive use. After all “non” fun fly models have landed the fun fly pilots are permitted to stand anywhere on the patch – but must fly no closer to the pits than the appropriate flight line.

Helicopters/Jets and Gliders.

• Phoenix is primarily a powered aircraft fixed wing club. Gliders properly adapted/designed for aero-towing are allowed. All active pilots in the pilots box must be made aware that aero- towing is taking place. Tow lines and bungee for other gliders are prohibited as are control line models

• Members who joined the Club prior to January 1997 may fly helicopters in accordance with the above rules.

• Accredited Helicopter pilots who have achieved a minimum of “A” achievement status for helicopter flying skills will be permitted to fly unsupervised. All other members who have not achieved “A” status for Helicopters will require supervision by an accredited Helicopter instructor or who holds a “B” certificate for helicopters.

• Helicopter pilots entitled to fly at Phoenix as above must first request a helicopter “slot” of to 20 minutes for their exclusive use. As with Fun fly requested slots the helicopter pilot is permitted to stand anywhere on the patch – but must fly no closer to the pits than the appropriate flight line.

• Whilst it was not possible to fly jets at Phoenix until recently (patch too small) this is now becoming a practical proposition for skilled model jet pilots. Accordingly model jets are welcome but minimum pilot skill levels must first be disclosed for those pilots not already familiar to the Committee.

• Technical and performance criteria have advanced significantly such that jet models are extremely fast and spectacular . Patch restrictions and safety issues continue to dictate that only the highest skilled model jet pilots as determined by the Committee shall be permitted to fly at London Colney.

• In the event that a long spell of dry weather results in a very dry standing crop around the patch, Gas Turbine Jet Models should not be flown, to avoid the risk of igniting the crop in the event of a landing of the patch.

C. General Rules

1. Airfield -Site Maintenance

• Cars should not be parked or driven along any designated paths or roadways such that ruts are caused or that any adjacent crops are damaged.

• Each individual member is responsible for ensuring that litter is taken home and that the flying field is kept clean and tidy.

2. Club House

• Club House Procedures – incorporated in 2003- showing requirements from members for proper maintenance of club assets, kept within or attached to the Club house, will be updated by the Committee from time to time – and posted in clear view of members using the facilities.

3. Strangers

• Members seeing strangers flying models on the flying field, or occupying any part of the patch, have the authority to warn them that they are trespassing and to stop flying – leave the field – immediately. You should write down their name, registration number, description of car, and contact a Committee member immediately if possible.

             .The rules shown above include amendments agreed by members at the AGM on 3rd December 2009

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