Welcome to the Ottawa Remote Control Club

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Ottawa Remote Control Club Rules & Regulations

For the safety of all Ottawa Remote Control Club (ORCC) members and their guests, and for the mutual enjoyment of the Club facilities, the following regulations have been adopted by the Club and must be observed when using Club facilities.

All ORCC members are responsible for ensuring that the regulations are enforced. Club membership may be revoked for violation of these regulations.

GENERAL FLYING REGULATIONS

  • Pilots who do not properly follow the safety rules will be first given verbal warnings. After repeated infractions, the pilot will be disciplined with either a suspension or restriction, or have his membership revoked at the discretion of the executive committee.
  • Every pilot must be a current member of the Model Aeronautics Association of Canada (MAAC) and of the ORCC, or a visiting pilot or a sponsored guest.
  • All visiting pilots and guests must be current members of MAAC or have insurance that is recognized by MAAC (e.g., current member of the American Modeler's Association).
  • ORCC members who sponsor guests are responsible for ensuring that their guests have the necessary insurance and that they are aware of, and follow, all ORCC flying and frequency regulations. Guests, while flying, must be accompanied by their sponsors.
  • The MAAC Safety Code applies at all times. Pilots may be asked to prove their competence before being allowed to fly without assistance. The MAAC Wings Program test shall be the standard for determining pilot competence.
  • Pilots must prominently display current ORCC membership and proof of MAAC membership, either on their flight box or on their person.
  • Mufflers are mandatory on all engines over .049 cu. in.
  • Pilots must fly from one of the pilot stations next to the runway.
  • Pilots are to clearly announce their intentions for taxiing on to the runway, takeoffs or launches, low passes and landings.
  • Pilots are to clearly announce any intention to encroach upon the runway when flying is taking place.
  • Pilots will follow the general traffic pattern established according to wind direction.
  • Pilots will call out "dead stick" or "flame-out" when appropriate and will be given priority for landing.
  • Training nights at the Drummond Field and the Glider Field are reserved for student training. Priority shall be given to student training flights.

FREQUENCY REGULATIONS

  • Use of a frequency control board is mandatory at all times.
  • Transmitters shall not be turned on at any time unless the correct frequency pin is in place on the frequency control board.
  • The pins must be removed on completion of each flight/aircraft set-up session, after the transmitter has been turned off and returned to the transmitter impound. (For the glider site only. Pins need be removed only if a frequency conflict or potential conflict arises.)
  • Transmitters which are not in use must be kept in the impound box or designated area and must be switched off.
  • Frequency control pins must display the frequency or channel number and name of the pilot on the pin.
  • Frequency control pins are also to be used for 2.4 GHz transmitters. The space for these pins is on the upper left hand side of the frequency board.
  • Only narrow band radios or 2.4GHz radios on MAAC-approved-for-RC-aircraft frequencies are permitted.
  • Frequency control pins must be no wider than one slot on the board (9/16 inch).

FLYING FIELD REGULATIONS

  • All vehicles are to be parked in the designated parking areas only.
  • All garbage is to be taken home for disposal. In other words, if you bring it to the field, take it back with you. This includes broken aircraft parts and elastics. Do not leave any food waste at the field.
  • Aircraft and equipment are to be kept in the pits when not flying or doing run-ups.
  • No aircraft engines or electric aircraft motors will be started or run in the pits.
  • Batteries of electric airplanes, including small park fliers, are to be connected only in the start-up area.
  • No electric powered aircraft are to be left unattended with the ESC (electronic speed control) armed.
  • Pilots must use the designated start-up areas outside of pits for engine starts and run-ups. These are located on either side of the pilot stations.
  • When starting or doing run-ups, aircraft are to be oriented so that the propeller and nose of the aircraft is pointed away from the pits, pilot stations, and flightline and that the air stream does not blow over other aircraft.
  • Helicopters will be flown from the pilot stations beside the runway only.
  • A maximum of five aircraft (including helicopters) may be in the air at any one time in the general traffic pattern.
  • No flying is permitted behind the flightline. The flightline is a line running parallel to the runway 7 meters (23 feet) in front of the pilots' stations and extending to the horizon on either end of the runway.
  • Pilots are not to overfly vehicles or people out on the field. After landing, aircraft engines are to be shut down once clear of the runway and before entering the start-up area.
  • When the lawn-mower is on the runway, then the no-fly rule is in effect.
  • No hovering is allowed in front of pilot stations that are occupied by other pilots.
  • Use of a frequency is limited to a maximum of 15 minutes if other flyers are waiting. The count down starts when the transmitter is removed from the impound area.
  • The airspace beyond the fence at the western end of the runway is a no-fly zone. Airplanes taking off are to turn north before reaching the fence. Airplanes coming in to land are to establish their base leg and turn onto final approach closer in than the fence. Pilots are to avoid flying over the earthen mound at the western end of the field.