GENERAL
1. The club shall be called Tyldesley Model Flying Club (T.M.F.C.).
2. The clubs principal aim shall be to promote the safe and responsible use of radio controlled fixed-wing model aircraft. (Ref. rule 8).
3. All members, without exception, must obey all club rules. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action by the Committee.
4. All flying members must be affiliated to the British Model Flying Association, and must be able to provide evidence of such on request. Where there is a joint meeting between T.M.F.C. and another club, each participating club must be able to provide evidence of adequate insurance cover well in advance of the event. T.M.F.C. members may invite guest fliers to the site on arrangement with the Executive committee but they must be BMFA insured and the club member will assume total responsibility for the actions and safety of the guest. Guests must fly under the supervision of Instructors if their ability requires it, and such arrangements must be made in advance of the visit.
5. A "Member" means any class of membership.
6. A member may be made a life member for extensive services to the club of any nature, wherein the members benefit from having such advice, services and presence of the life member. Life members can only be created by a majority ballot of all club members.
7. The Committee has the right to refuse membership to applicants.
8. New members applications will only be valid for a period of three months after the date of acceptance. Applications for "Helicopter only" fliers will only be considered by prior arrangement with the club committee.
9. New members will be required to serve an initial probationary period of 6 months. During this time they will not be eligible to serve on the Committee and may have their membership terminated for unsatisfactory conduct.
10. New members' subscriptions shall be subject to status, plus the joining fee as decided at the Annual General Meeting. All applicants for senior club membership are eligible for payment of a full joining fee.
11. Members who have allowed their subscriptions to lapse will not normally be asked to apply for membership or pay the joining fee, but will be required to pay a full 12 months subscription. Reduced subscriptions will apply from September when they will be halved. The Committee reserves the right to ask for a formal application if it so wishes.
12. Persons letting their membership lapse for 1 year or more, will be required to pay the joining fee on their return to the club.
13. All field safety rules and regulations will be reviewed annually, and will be considered binding for 12 months, excepting where urgent action is required. This action must then be ratified by the Committee at the next meeting or emergency meeting. These field safety rules are considered as a supplementary code to those laid out by the British Model Flying Association in their Members' Handbook; compliance with which is mandatory within T.M.F.C. to ensure that our insurance cover is not jeopardised.
14. Any complaint concerning any member will require four members to sign that complaint. The written complaint must then be handed to the secretary so that the matter can be brought up at the next meeting. Any club member may approach an Executive Committee member to forward a verbal complaint, on their behalf at the Committee meeting.
15. The Committee may remove from the role of members, any member whose conduct on the field or elsewhere is considered by them to be prejudicial to the club. Whilst having no claim to any subscription fee paid, such a member may request of the Committee that a Special General Meeting be convened to consider the reasons why their membership should not be terminated. Such a request should be made in writing within seven days of notice to terminate membership, and should contain an outline of the reasons to be presented at the meeting. The Committee reserve the right to reject such a request, or to impose a suspension instead of removal from the membership. (Further details of offences carrying immediate suspensions are listed within the club field/safety rules.)
16. Any alteration to this constitution can only be made at a General Meeting called for the purpose, 28 days notice being given in writing to all paid up members. Any proposed alterations must be submitted to the Secretary in writing at least 14 days prior to the meeting.
FLYING
17. The Committee, Officers and Instructors, will be responsible for the running of the flying field at all times.
18. Appointment to the position of Instructor can only be made by a Committee decision following the Instructors recommendation. Where no Instructors exist, new Instructors will be appointed from the clubs' 'B' Certificate holders, by the Executive Committee. Parents may instruct siblings, or vice versa, providing the party giving instruction is qualified through the T.M.F.C. wings scheme on the class of model being used. In this occurrence the trainee must also be periodically taught by a club Instructor as normal. Examinations being done by two of the clubs Instructors. The "Instructors List" will be reviewed annually at the Annual General Meeting.
19. All flying members must attain the minimum standards of flying required under the T.M.F.C. training scheme before receiving their "Wings" (effectively, permission to fly unsupervised), and the relevant BMFA fixed wing 'A' certificate before being considered for allowance to fly indirectly supervised.
In the case of Helicopter "circuit" flying, the BMFA Helicopter 'A' certificate plus the T.M.F.C. Class 2 "Wings" are the minimum requirements.
Hovering of Helicopters by non Helicopter 'A' certificate holders may be done in the designated areas under indirect supervision at the discretion of the club safety officers, (F.S.R. Nos 12 & 26) but the model must not exceed head height at any time.
20. Any member whose flying standards drop below the minimum requirement of the T.M.F.C. training scheme will be required to rejoin the scheme until the desired standards of flying are met.
COMMITTEE
21. The Committee of the club shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting and shall comprise of not more than eleven members, including Executive Committee. A quorum of any Committee meeting shall consist of a majority of Committee Members. After the election of Executive Officers, the remaining members of the Committee will be elected by a show of hands from eligible members present who can fulfil the required commitments. One senior club member should be appointed annually as the clubs' BMFA Delegate, and as such should represent the club at all relevant meetings. Any Committee member or member who is involved in any organisational position within the club, must hold some form of insurance cover organised through the British Model Flying Association.
22. The Executive Committee shall consist of five officers. These shall be Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Public Relations Officer. Occasionally the club may chose to elect a president (Refer to rule 23). In this case the Executive Committee shall consist of six officers.
23. One club member may be elected to the position of "Honorary President" to serve a term of five years (excepting in the case of written resignation). Honorary Presidents can only be created by a majority ballot of all club members, and will adopt Executive Status with full voting rights.
24. The Executive Officers shall be elected from written nominations by the members, at the Annual General Meeting, to serve for an initial period of two years, excepting in the case of resignation in which case the Committee may co-opt a replacement who will then serve until the following Annual General Meeting.
25. Executive Officers having served an initial two year period must then stand for re-election on an annual basis.
26. Members elected to office will have full voting rights at all meetings. In the event of a tie the Chairman will have a casting vote.
27. The Executive Committee reserve the right to carry out negotiations and make decisions in the interest of the club or on behalf of the membership where necessary without consulting the Committee.
28. Each Executive is required to submit a sample of his signature for banking reference purposes.
29. Money may only be withdrawn from the fund by cheque signed by not less than two Executive Officers.
30. The Secretary must be informed of any negotiations proposed by club members which affect the club as a whole, and copies of any written correspondence must be submitted to him for record purposes.
31. The Secretary will receive an annual Honorarium to cover out of pocket expenses not covered under the normal conditions of withdrawal from club funds. The amount of which will be decided by the Committee at the Annual General Meeting. He may also present a quarterly claim towards telephone costs for consideration by the Committee at a club meeting.
32. In the event of vacancies arising on the Committee between elections, paid up members may be co-opted to serve on the Committee by a majority vote from the Committee Members.
33. No member of the Committee or Officer of the club may be a Committee Member or Officer of another model flying club.
34. Any Committee Member or Officer wishing to resign should do so in writing.
35. Any member of the Committee who is absent from three consecutive Committee meetings without forwarding apologies through the Secretary, will forfeit his seat on the committee and not be eligible for re-election within the current term.
36. The Committee may pay accounts and incur any normal liabilities on behalf of the club. If a Committee Member engages or becomes involved in court proceedings, whether criminal or civil in his representative capacity on behalf of the club, as opposed to his capacity as a private individual notwithstanding that he is taking part in club activities but in circumstances where it would be unreasonable for the club as a whole to ratify his actions then in the former instance i.e. in his representative capacity the club will indemnify the Committee Member in respect of any fines or damages or costs awarded against the Committee Member. In the event of a Committee Member being awarded damages or costs in the course of proceedings taken by him in his representative capacity such damages or costs will belong to the club and not the Committee Member personally and forthwith upon receipt by the Committee Member that Committee Member will pay them to the club Treasurer.
MEETINGS
37. Voting will normally be by a show of hands, however a secret ballot must be taken should any member request that this be done. Proxy votes will not be allowed.
38. All proposals must be seconded and voted upon. The majority votes to be accepted.
39. Amendments to proposals must be voted upon first.
40. Non Committee Members may attend meetings, but they do not have the right to vote.
41. Non club members may attend Committee meetings as invited guests of a club Member but they do not have the right to vote.
42. Any non Committee Member may be asked to leave the meeting room during the course of the meeting, subject to approval from the Committee.
43. The Committee, through the Chairman has the power to ask a person to leave the meeting in the event of that person disrupting the meeting.
44. Patrons of the club have no voting rights but are free to attend all club meetings.
SPECIAL MEETINGS
45. A convenient date for the Annual General Meeting will be decided each year by the Committee. (refer to rule 16).
46. Annual subscriptions will be decided at the Annual General Meeting.
47. Subscriptions are due by 1st January each year. Any member who has not paid the subscriptions for the ensuing year by this date, in whole or in part, plus full BMFA membership fees will not be allowed to fly until they have done so. All successive membership renewals must be completed before March 1st in any membership year to prevent lapsed members from being placed onto any membership waiting list.
48. Two Auditors shall be elected by the Committee to examine the accounts before the Annual General Meeting to verify that the balance sheet is correct and fairly represents the expenditure and receipts of the club, its assets and its liabilities.
49. The Secretary will convene an Executive Committee Meeting on request from any member of the Executive Committee, stating the business to be discussed.
50. The Secretary shall convene an Extraordinary General Meeting of the club by a resolution of the Committee stating the business to be brought before the meeting, of which 14 days notice has been given to all members in writing stating the business to be discussed.
51. The secretary shall convene an Extraordinary General Meeting of the club on receipt of a request in writing signed by not less than seven members of the club, stating the business to be before the meeting, of which due notice will be given to all members.
52. A meeting so convened shall be within 28 days following the resolution or request received by the Secretary and the quorum for such a meeting shall be one quarter of the current club membership.
53. When such a request for a meeting being made and not complied with within 28 days, the requisitionists may themselves convene an Extraordinary General Meeting of the club by giving seven days notice in writing to all members, duly setting out the purpose for which the meeting was called. Any resolutions passed at such a meeting shall have the same force and effect as if they were passed at a meeting convened by the Committee.
54. Should it be considered necessary or desirable to wind up the club, the Committee will call an Extraordinary General Meeting. Should a quorum fail to appear, the meeting will be adjourned, and a further E.G.M. must be called. The second meeting will proceed even if a quorum is not present and the motion will then be carried by a simple majority. On winding up and after the sale of assets, settlement of all outstanding debts and the refund of subscriptions for the remaining part of the year to the paid up members, the funds remaining will be distributed in equal shares to the Patrons' own charities. If the final accounts are less than required to refund the subscriptions to the members, the total money remaining will be donated to charity. All members will receive a final statement of accounts. NOTE: (For reference to charities and donations to same, refer to the clubs' charity guidelines).
55. All notifications except that of the AGM and other relevant information, will be posted on the club notice board and made available at club meetings. It is the responsibility of each club member to view the notice board. Mailshots to members will be made the discretion of the Secretary.
T.M.F.C. CHARITY GUIDELINES
The aim of these notes is to provide guidance to the committee of the club when considering making donations to charity. They are to be used as a guide, and the committee must reserve the right to disregard the figures quoted or the policy behind them. The clubs charity guidelines are as follows :-
The club should, wherever possible, support local charity events when asked. i.e. school summer fairs, Firework Displays, etc. whenever it is practicable to provide a "relevant" display of what we do. Whether or not money changes hands largely depends on the circumstances around which the event is based. These conditions should be finalised well before the day of such an event.
Only money raised at these events should be made available to donate to "worthy causes" if required. NO money will be diverted from members subscriptions or purchases etc.
In the event of the club being approached to donate money to a local "worthy cause", the committee will confer in order that they may deliver a recommendation. The maximum sum available in this case will be £75.
In the event that the club is approached for sponsorship of a member or their close associate who is involved in a charity event, the committee will confer in order that they may deliver a recommendation. The maximum sum available for sponsorship in this case will be £25.
The club reserves the right to periodically donate funds to charities associated with its patrons, whether past or present.
The current nominated Patrons Charities are :-
1. The Royal Airforce Association
2. Leonard Cheshire homes / Sue Ryder Foundation.
3. Christ's Hospital, London
These are also the charities referred to in the clubs constitution under item 54 and may change periodically if the club so wishes.
FIELD / SAFETY RULES
1. All fliers must observe field discipline and comply with all relevant B.M.F.A. safety codes as contained within the members handbook along with Civil Aviation publication (CAP) 658, and the Air Navigation Order.
2. All flying is to be done in the designated areas only (refer to sketch in caravan). Overflying of the Site of Special Scientific Interest (S.S.S.I.) should be avoided at all times.
3. All vehicles must be parked in the designated area and should not be driven onto the field when it is wet. Under NO circumstances should cars be driven on the runways.
4. All fliers must observe the established flightline and stand in the designated area whilst flying. Any variation to suit daily conditions may be made by the clubs safety officers (rule 12). Any spectators must remain behind the safety fencing whilst flying is in progress.
5. The road approaching Kay House Farm should be treated as a private thoroughfare, and members will give-away at all times to vehicles, pedestrians and horses.
6. Any accident involving a third party must be reported to the clubs B.M.F.A. Delegate as soon as possible, who will then inform the Executive Committee.
7. All transmitters are to be checked on an annual basis. Any transmitter found to be "Splattering" over onto other channels is not to be used until the fault has been rectified.
8. Frequency numbers must be called out before the transmitter in question is switched on.
9. Any pilot not holding their TMFC Wings must not fly without the supervision of an Instructor or their specially appointed deputy if the instructors are absent from the field. (ref. Const. rule 19) If no Instructors are present at the site, any member holding the BMFA 'B' Certificate may act as an appointed deputy until an Instructor arrives.
10. Appropriate use should be made of all available pit area, and under NO circumstances should engines be set up in the immediate vicinity of the pilots who are flying at that time.
11. Models having their engines "Run In" on the ground must not be left unattended whilst the engine is running.
12. On matters of field safety needing an immediate decision, the responsibility lies with the Instructors, a member of the Executive Committee or two committee members, in that order.
13. No dogs are allowed at the flying field.
14. Children must be closely supervised at all times and must not be allowed to run around the pit area or runways.
15. All persons under the age of 14 shall be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.
16. No person under the age of 14 shall start an engine or carry a model with the motor running unless they are under the supervision of a responsible adult.
17. No person under the age of 14 shall fly a model aircraft without the supervision of a responsible adult.
18. No senior club member will assume responsibility for a child unless he has been approached to do so by that child's parent or guardian. In this instance he must assume complete and total responsibility for the actions of that child
19. Due consideration will 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.
20. Any person wishing to enter or cross the runway area must seek clearance from any pilots flying at the time before doing so.
21. No person shall attempt to retrieve a model from any farmland adjacent to the flying site without prior consultation with the appointed safety officers for the day (rule 12), to ensure that the situation is properly assessed and minimal disruption caused. If it is considered by the safety officers that the landowners permission should be sought before retrieving the model, it will be the owner of the model and one of the safety officers who must approach them for permission. Failure to comply will result in dismissal from the membership. In light of problems associated with the recovery of lost models, all models should carry the address and telephone number of the owner. It is also the committees strong recommendation that models carry some form of lost model indication device.
22. Transmitters should not be taken away from the flightline when retrieving aircraft from a distance, unless to do so would aid retrieval of the model. In this instance the matter should be brought to the attention of the safety officers to prevent overflying of the transmitter, and the aerial must be kept retracted at all times.
23. Where practical, models should face outward from the pit area. Turbine and "Pusher" powered aircraft should face inward. Turbines must be sited away from the paved spectator area, and be operated in accordance with the GTBA Guidelines for their safe operation.
24. In the interest of safety a helpers assistance should be sought when running up engines and taking models to the runway for take-off. All helpers must be covered by B.M.F.A. Insurance. The use of an assistant for pilots with IC Helicopters and Turbines is strongly advised for starting and carrying the model to the flightline.
25. All new or repaired models should be "checked out" by an Instructor or their appointed deputy before being allowed to fly. All models are subject to random safety spot checks which will be carried out by an Instructor. If in his opinion a model is unsafe to fly or does not conform to club rules, it will be grounded until rectified.
26. No more than four aircraft may be flown in the circuit at any one time, although simultaneous Helicopter hovering may be conducted in the designated areas if space and safety permit*. However, Helicopters may only be circuit flown individually and never at the same time as fixed wing aircraft. Any "circuit" flying slots for Helicopters will be mutually agreed between the flying members present at the time, the Safety Officers presiding over any disputes. (ref. Const. Rule 19). *Where models are being circuit flown on the crosswind runway, the maximum number of helicopters that may be hovered on the main strip will be three.
27. Persons operating their transmitter without complying with the frequency control system in use, who are involved in an incident where interference is caused to a flying model, may be suspended from flying for one calendar month. In this occurrence the committee will consider all the facts and legislate as they see fit.
28. Members must ensure that they make an adequate attempt to minimise the noise emitted by their model. Where practical "Add On" silencers and "Quiet" props should be fitted unless the model reads below 82 decibels at 7 metres without them.
29. All transmitters must bear the correct identification pennant for the frequency on which they are operating, (including 27Mhz sets) and when not in use must have their aerials retracted with the frequency cleared.
30. All operational failsafes 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 failsafe. Particular care must be taken when operating on Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) or when swapping from normal modulation (PPM) to PCM to ensure that the Failsafe is correctly programmed.
31. Mobile telephones should not be kept in close proximity to computerised Transmitters and must not be taken onto the flightline when switched on.
32. The frequency allocation system in use at TMFC requires the member to remove the clubs plastic frequency marker from the peg-board and replace this with his own indicator which clearly bears his name to facilitate easy identification of the user of the frequency. The member will then retain the clubs marker whilst the frequency is in use, and display it in a prominent position within his pit area. On completion of his flight the user will replace the clubs marker onto the board and remove his own indicator from it.
All visiting fliers must use a temporary "VISITOR" indicator provided by the club, and only the holder of an indicator is authorised to remove it from the display board during a flying session.
The first person using the board on any flying day must ensure that it is clear of "forgotten" members indicators at the start of the session, replacing any that have been left with the special "missing marker" indicators until the original has been returned or deemed irrecoverable. A fine of £1.00 will be levied on any member not returning a club owned plastic frequency marker within one week. New markers may only be made by the Safety Officers when it is clear that one is required.