Rules and Safety
Formal membership to our club compels all members to obey all club rules and points of safety as laid down in National C.A.A Guidelines.
IMPORTANT COMSOA FIELD IS UNFORTUNATELY ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE BOUNDARY OF RAAF RESTRICTED AREA R578E AND CONSEQUENTLY HAS A HEIGHT LIMIT OF 400 FT AGL
NO FLYING IS PERMITTED ON DAYS OF TOTAL FIRE BAN
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Transmitter compound. Leave your 29/36 mHZ radio in the transmitter compound when not in use. You must use the key board for 29 and 36 Mhz and leave your transmitter in the pound once your key has been removed from the board . 2.4 Ghz no key required
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Do check your control surfaces and linkages and do a radio range check. Check all controls for movement in the correct direction and for full and smooth movement
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All flight takeoffs and landings shall be conducted in to the wind, and along the duty runway See also 7. below if crosswind conditions exist
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Please announce your takeoff and landing intentions to the other pilots, including the direction you are landing from.
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All pilots must stand in the designated flight area.
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No pilots are to fly their aircraft from the landing strip . Exception Standing behind model or to one side for take off
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The cross strip may/should be used if strong main strip cross wind conditions prevail and it is into wind. Bit of common sense here
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Taxiing in the pit area is not allowed under any circumstances.
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Aircraft must be restrained at all times when starting or running engines in the pit area.
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29 and 36 Mhz frequency sharing There is a 20 minute time limit for using a frequency to ensure others sharing your frequency get a fair go. This is not a problem these days with 2.4 ghz being pretty well universally used Still a few 36/29 users out there
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Please obey club duty and safety officers.
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29 and 36 Mhz Transmitters must be bandwidth certified by an approved MAAA Radio Testing Station and have the correct M.A.A.A frequency and bandwidth stickers displayed. Silver tone and similar frequency keys are to be used and of the correct bandwidth for that radio in use. Your name and frequency must be labelled clearly on your frequency key
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.NOTE Bandwidth testing does not apply to 2.4 GHz transmitters
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All pilots present are considered observers for the purpose of alerting flying pilots to the approach of full size powered aircraft.
On notification of an approaching aircraft all airborne models must be brought well below 400 feet or landed.
All models must be kept well clear of overflying full size aircraft -
The address of the nearest certified testing station is:
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Please place your surname, Christian name, and frequency on the Club Flying Board before flying.
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Have your club membership card with you whilst flying at the COMSOA field.
Extracts from Model Aeronautical Association of Australia (MAAA)
General Rules and Guidelines for the Operation of Model Aircraft. - MOP014
These extracts are for your information.
3. GENERAL
3.1 Any model aircraft in flight (excepting as noted in Paragraph 3.3) is subject to the
regulations imposed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The CIVIL AVIATION
SAFETY REGULATIONS – CAR (1998) Part 101 cover all unmanned aircraft,
including all model aircraft, except as detailed hereunder.
3.2 This document is intended to give an overview of CAR (1998) Part 101 but it is
strongly recommended that affiliated members obtain and read the actual CAR
(1998) Part 101 document and CASA’s Advisory Circular AC101.3
3.3 Models Exempt from CAR (1998) Part 101 requirements, but not from MAAA Rules
or the requirements of the MAAA Manual of Procedures:
(a) Models weighing less than 100 grams (3.5oz).
(b) Control Line models and
(c) Any model flown indoors (contained in four walls and roof)
3.4 CASA recognises the Model Aircraft Association of Australia (MAAA) as an Approved
Aviation Administration Organisation to administer and regulate the operation of
Model aircraft under Part 101. CASA expects the level of flying operation to be
regulated by the MAAA so as to maintain a high standard of safety.
3.5 A model aircraft operated by an affiliate member of the MAAA is subject to the
requirements of the MAAA Manual of Procedures as well as CAR (1998) Part 101
4. RESPONSIBILITIES
4.1 The individual operator of a model aircraft is responsible for his/her compliance, and
his/her model’s compliance, with CAR (1998) Part 101 and also with all MAAA rules as required by the MAAA Manual of Procedures.
5. CAR (1998) Part 101 RULES FOR THE OPERATION OF ALL MODEL AIRCRAFT
(Except exempt models) CAR (1998) Part 101 references are in brackets
This section identifies the major requirements of CAR (1998) Part 101. Affiliate members
are requested to read the relevant sections of Part 101 document that is available on the
CASA or MAAA web sites, www.casa.gov.au and www.maaa.asn.au
It should be noted that in some cases MAAA Rules are more stringent than those
contained in CAR (1998) Part 101
5.1 General prohibition on unsafe operation. (101.005)
A person must not operate an unmanned aircraft (Model aircraft) in a way that
creates a hazard to another aircraft, another person, or property.
5.2 Visibility for operation of model aircraft. (101.385)
A person may operate a model aircraft only if the visibility at the time is good
enough for the person operating the model to be able to see it continuously.
5.3 Operating a Model Aircraft at Night (101.390)
A person may operate a model aircraft at night only in accordance with the written
procedures of an Approved Aviation Administration Organisation.
See MAAA Procedure – Night Flying, MOP018.
5.4 Keeping model aircraft away from people (101.395)
A person must not operate a model aircraft over a populous area at a height less
than the height from which, if any of its components fails, it would be able to clear
the area. Someone who is operating a powered model aircraft must ensure that
while the model aircraft is IN FLIGHT, or is LANDING or TAKING OFF
it stays at least 30 metres away from anyone not directly associated with the operation of model aircraft.
This regulation is not contravened if somebody stands behind the model aircraft
while it is taking off. This regulation is not contravened if the model aircraft is flown
in a competition within 30 metres of someone who is judging the competition.
Note: The MAAA 30 Metre rule is more stringent than the requirements of 101.395
above. See item 6.10 for details for the MAAA 30 Metre rule.
6. MAAA RULES, GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES
6.10 30 Metre Rule
The CASA requirement for safe operation of model aircraft is specified in CASR
(1998) Part 101. However this is not in detailed terms and in order to give MAAA
members better guidance on acceptable practice the MAAA requirements are as follows.
Someone who is operating a model aircraft, must normally ensure that, while the model aircraft is IN FLIGHT, or is LANDING or TAKING OFF, it stays at least 30 metres horizontally away from, and at any height vertically above, any person or occupied building/vehicle, not directly associated with the operation of model aircraft.
This requirement is not contravened if:
(i) people are behind the model aircraft while it is taking off.
(ii) the model aircraft is flown in a competition within 30 metres of someone
who is judging the competition.
(iii) the model aircraft is flown within 30 metres of pilots and their assistants
operating other aircraft, Flight Line Directors, Safety Officers, Instructors, and similar people who are directly involved with the operation of model aircraft at the time. In addition these may include pilots and their assistants with aircraft in the “pits” provided that this area is not accessible by the public. Wherever possible the pits shall be located outside the 30 metre limit or if this is not possible as near to 30 metres as can be reasonably achieved.
Whilst CASA require that a person must not operate a model aircraft over a
populous area at a height less than the height from which, if any of its components
fails, it would be able to clear the area, model aircraft can fail in modes that do not
permit the aircraft to glide clear of an area. It is acceptable to the MAAA that the
requirement be relaxed and model aircraft be allowed to fly above ground where
there may be people directly below provided it shall only be at a reasonably high
altitude and after careful consideration that there is low risk to the life, safety or
property of someone who may be in the area but is not connected with the
operation. This shall not, under any circumstances, include the car parks and
public viewing areas of model aircraft clubs.
Note: This rule is more rigorous than the requirements of CAR (1998) Part 101 -
101.395 – see item 5.4