Flying Site Rules.

Essential flying site rules that all members must read and follow to ensure safe and responsible operation at our club.

Document Title: Flying Site Rules – Spitfires Model Aircraft Club. Version: 1.0 Published: 05/08/2025

1) Introduction.

At The Spitfires Model Aircraft Club, safety, respect, and community are at the heart of everything we do. Our flying site is a privilege made possible through the goodwill of local landowners and the support of fellow enthusiasts. To ensure a safe, welcoming, and enjoyable environment for all members and visitors, the club has established a clear set of flying site rules.

These rules are designed to protect people, property, and the long-standing relationships we hold with the local community and landowners. They outline the standards of conduct expected at the flying site, procedures for safe model operation, and the responsibilities of every member in maintaining a positive club culture.

Please Note: All members are expected to read, understand, and abide by the rules set out in both the Club Constitution and the Flying Site Rules (shown below), as they form the basis for safe conduct and responsible membership. By doing so, we uphold the integrity of our club, promote the safe enjoyment of our hobby, and preserve access to our site for future generations of modellers.

2) Respect of the site.

We are all guests of the farmer and fly on his land with his permission. Respecting this fact, the following matters should be observed at all times:

  1. All gates to be closed on entering and leaving the field.
  2. No rubbish or litter to be left anywhere.
  3. Respect farm animals. Member’s animals must be kept on a leash at all times.
  4. When parking in the farmyard, please park sensibly in a line at 90 degrees to the direction of the drive. DO NOT block or obstruct access to the yard, gates or field.
  5. If the yard is crowded and the farmer asks us to park in the field near to the gate, please respect this request. If the conditions on the field are not suitable for normal vehicles DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS FIELD. Vehicles parked in the farmyard are there on a 1st come 1st serve basis.
  6. When fuelling petrol; diesel or glow engines, please ensure that there is no spillage of fuel or oil onto the grass. Always use a drip tray.
  7. Children must be closely supervised at all times and must not be allowed to run around the pit area or runways.
  8. No smoking is permitted in the vicinity of inflammable fuels and materials.
  9. Mobile telephones should not be taken onto the flight line.

3) Respect for the local community.

The local community are the farmer’s neighbours. It is imperative that we maintain good relations.

  1. No flying permitted over the farm or the village at any time.
  2. Members must ensure that they comply with the D of E Noise Code for the Minimisation of Noise from Model Aircraft. “Add on” silencers and “quiet” propellers should be fitted unless the model emits below 82 decibels at 7 metres without them. Notwithstanding if in the opinion of the Committee a model is excessively noisy in the air, then it is to be grounded until rectified.
  3. When flying, members must not cause hazard or inconvenience to other members or members of the public.

4) Flying at the site.

However, this advantage means that added care must be taken in the arrangements for flying in any one occasion.

  1. The pits area must be at least 6 meters away from the side of the mown strip, and when flying pilots must stand together in a line and not directly on the mown edge of the strip.
  2. Air space behind the pits is designated “dead air” and not to be flown through at any time or circumstance. (Please note on “open days” when we have visitors standing in this “dead air space” pilots need to be aware that they are there. Spectators need to be effectively controlled and directed to a safe area. Any pilots must have regard for their and members presence.
  3. Large aircraft, and powered tow gliders should take off and land on the half of the strip furthest away from the pits and pilots areas.
  4. Pilots should shout their intentions clearly: Both take off’s and landing’s need to be called. Should an aircraft go out of control, the first priority must be the safety of persons with the second being avoidance of damage to property. A warning is to be shouted by the pilot which is to be taken up by other members.
  5. All learner flyers must be accompanied by a competent flier. Due consideration must be given at all times to trainee or novice pilots in the circuit. In the event that the pleasure or concentration of a pilot is affected by the flying style of another, precedence will be given to the pilot who was airborne first. Intimidating flying of any sort is not permitted.
  6. Any incident involving a third party or another member must be reported to the Committee.

5) Responsibility.

We all have individual responsibility that our flying, our models, and radio gear, are in good condition and are to the highest standards. We all bear responsibility for safety and courtesy at the site at all times. It is the duty of every member to keep up the good name of aero modelling in the eye of the general public, and not make any statement or take action that may cause concern. In particular:

  1. All members must observe field discipline and comply with the Air Navigation Order, all relevant BMFA safety codes as contained within the BMFA Members’ Handbook and Article 16
  2. All members must carry proof of suitable insurance and must be registered with the CAA. Operator numbers to be provided to the Committee.
  3. Range-check all new and modified models, before flying for the first time.
  4. If flying with frequencies other than 2.4Ghz, Confirm that no one else is using the same frequency and liaise with other members present
  5. Flying alone should be avoided if possible.
  6. Before starting an engine the model must be suitably restrained either by a tether or by an assistant.
  7. Safety requests made by committee members and those with designated responsibility for safety, should be acted on without question. However, should a member believe the instructions to be wrong, then he should bring this to the attention of the Committee.
  8. In the interest of safety, assistance should be sought when running up engines and taking models to the runway for take-off. All helpers must have BMFA membership. The use of an assistant for pilots with IC Helicopters is mandatory for starting and carrying the model to the flight line.
  9. Anyone found to be unwilling to comply will be subject to the disciplinary procedure.
  10. Hand launching should not be done from the pits area under any circumstances.
  11. After an aircraft has taken off all pilots and helpers should move off the strip immediately.
  12. All pilots should observe the established flight line and stand in the designated area whilst flying
  13. Any variation to suit daily conditions may be made by the members present.
  14. Any person wishing to enter or cross the runway area must seek clearance from any pilots flying at the time.
  15. All operational fail-safes in use on powered models operated from our Club site must set the throttle to tick-over, not hold, (stopped in the case of electric power) regardless of the other control operations governed by the fail-safe. Fails-safes are to be checked prior to flight by switching the transmitter off whilst the model is restrained.

Our flying site is located at: Newhouse farm, Acton, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 4EE
What3words: plants.lake.dive
Routes to the flying site are shown in blue.
Note: The road down to the farm yard is single track.

Crossing through the first gate across the field to the strip via car is only allowed when the ground conditions are good if too soft please park in the farmers yard and walk across. Gates shown in yellow.

Note: There is an electrified fence surrounding the strip to protect it.

Spitfires Field

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