Part One - Concerning Safe Gliders.1. Gliders should be built to a standard such that they will not fail under normal circumstances.
Particular attention should be given to control surfaces, linkages and connections. 2. Gliders and radio equipment should be thoroughly checked prior to each flying session and after any
abnormally hard landing. With a new model or with new or repaired equipment, a ground radio range check is
essential before flying. If there are any doubts then the model should not be flown. 3. Gliders should have rounded noses of minimum radius of curvature 7.5 mm (5/16th in) measured tangential
to the surface at any point. 4. Gliders and radio equipment should be checked before launching; pay particular attention to wing and
tail mountings and structure, control systems, including their operation in the correct direction and
remaining battery capacity. 5. Solid ballast, if required, should be carried internally, preferably in the wing roots. It should be
firmly secured. It should never be jettisoned in flight. Part Two - Concerning Safe Flying.6. Avoid launching and flying within 50 feet of people, animals, houses, cars, footpaths in use by
walkers, and other transmitters. 7. Always fly so that you are between your model and any spectators. 8. Never fly your model behind you, or the hill, or any obstacle in such a way that you are unable to see
it at all times. 9. Never distract anyone who is flying a model. 10. If using the 27 or 35 Mhz bands, know which frequency you are using and display it by attaching a
clothes peg, with your name and the frequency written on it, on the frequency board. 11. If using the 27 or 35 Mhz bands, make sure that your specific frequency is not in use before switching
on your transmitter. 12. Before launching, check that no Gliders are flying into, or close to your initial flight path. Never
launch unless it is clear both above and behind you. 13. Always stand in the flight line when flying with others so that all active transmitters are reasonably
close to each other. 14. Always leave your transmitter with someone at the flight line before retrieving a model that has
landed. If the model is a long way away then turn off the transmitter before retrieving the model. 15. At any sign of malfunction or the unexpected loss of any part of the model in the air, land as soon as
it is safe to do so. 16. Whenever landing ensure that the selected spot is completely clear of spectators. If in any doubt do
not land. Part Three - Concerning the Safe Use of the Malvern Hills.17. The MSA recommended flying areas are North Hill if the wind is between North and South East. For all
other wind directions, the area known as "Table Hill" is used. Other areas should not be used to avoid people
and frequency clashes. Gliders should not be flown to the south of the Wyche Cutting when Hang and Para
gliders are operating. 18. In general avoid flying behind the ridge. Never fly behind the ridge of the hill in windy or turbulent
conditions. If conditions do allow and you do fly behind the ridge, always position yourself over the ridge
first. If landing on the reverse side do so well down the slope to avoid wind vortices. 19. Never fly in bad light, in conditions of decreasing visibility, low cloud, or when cloud or mist is
forming close to the slope. 20. Always display a club transfer in the rear window of your car when flying to indicate to others that
you are on the Hills. Visitors should be encouraged to display a note indicating the frequency they intend to
use. 21. Never leave litter on the slopes, particularly rubber bands. 22. Take extreme care at all times when using matches and cigarettes not to cause hill fires. 23. Familiarise yourself with the bylaws of the Hills Conservators and observe them at all times. In
particular pay parking fees and only park in authorised areas. In particular note that bylaw 11 sets the
upper weight limit for a model flown on the Hills at 10 Kg. 24. The Malvern Hills are totally unsuited for "combat" flying. Never fly in such a way as to deliberately
hit another model. Part Four - Concerning the Use of the Upton on Severn site.25. Fish Meadow, Upton-upon-Severn is the Club flying field. Extreme care must be taken not to fly under
50 ft over public roads, the river, public footpaths or houses. It is preferable to land on the other side of
a road or river to avoid this occurring. 26. Bungees, winch cables and towlines must be set out so that their entire length is within sight at all
times. They should not be set out in such a way that the cable might fall across a road, river or track.
Particular care must be taken when the direction of launch is to the North. The attention of horse riders and
those in charge of other animals should be drawn to them. 27. Cars should only be parked at the edge of the field, preferably on the hard standing. They should
always be driven around the edge and not across the field. The grass is an agricultural crop and must not be
cut. The gate should be shut behind you and the steel barrier locked in the upright position when entering
and leaving the field. Part Five - Concerning Hang and Para Gliders.28. The Joint SMAE/BHPA Operating Code is to be followed at all times. 29. The Malvern Hills is shared airspace. The launching, flying and landing of Gliders should always be on
that part of the Hills to the North of the Wyche Cutting when Hang and Para Gliders are operating. 30. Avoid flying in airspace in close proximity to or likely to be shared with Hang and Para gliders. Be
particularly watchful in easterly winds when Hang and Para Gliders are likely to be operating to the North of
the Wyche Cutting. 31. Before launching check that your launch area is clear of Hang and Para gliders. 32. When flying, keep a good angular horizontal and vertical separation between your model and any Hang
and Para glider. Allow additional separation if you are performing aerobatics. Avoid your model being
shielded from your vision by a hang or para glider. 33. Remember that a hang or para glider is less manoeuverable than a model and that the pilot has a
restricted field of view. If collision avoidance does become necessary then "up" or "down" manoeuvers are
likely to be the most sensible actions. 34. Finally, remember that life is at stake in Hang and Para gliders and that they have just as much right
as you to enjoy their activity and fly above the Malverns. If you have any doubt at any time regarding safety
then land. Part Six - Concerning Juniors and Vulnerable Adults.35. The policy, procedures and guidelines published by the BMFA from time to time should be
observed. 36. Members agree that they will do what is reasonable in all circumstances for the purpose of
safeguarding or promoting the welfare of junior or vulnerable adult members of the MSA. 37. Junior members must be accompanied by a parent/guardian, or an adult nominated by them, at all times
whilst they are participating in any MSA activity. The adult nominated must also be a member of the MSA and
must be responsible for supervising the junior member whilst in their care. Part Seven - Concerning Electric Powered Gliders.38. Malvern Hills Conservators bye-laws prohibit the flying of all powered aircraft on the Malvern
Hills. 39. The MSA is primarily an Association for pilots of RC gliders and the use of Fish Meadow will be
strictly limited to soaring flight by models designated as gliders only. Acceptable methods of launching
gliders will be by the use of bungees, electric winches, hand / discus launch and on board electric motors.
It is understood that the use of on board electric motors is solely for the purpose of launching the glider
so that soaring flight can commence. Internal combustion powered models cannot be flown on Fish Meadow under
any circumstances. 40. Members flying electric powered aircraft at Fish Meadow are prohibited from over-flying winch lines
throughout the time when any thermal soaring activity is taking place. At all times non-powered flight will
take priority over powered flight from the launch phase to the landing. REMEMBER THAT WE ARE PRIVILEGED TO USE THE MALVERN HILLS. ALL MSA MEMBERS AGREE TO ABIDE BY THIS CODE OF PRACTICE AND TO ENCOURAGE ALL OTHERS FLYING TO DO LIKEWISE. |
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