Safety

CITY PARK RULES

The following City Park Rules shall be strictly enforced, and violators will be cited.

A. – NO LITTERING.
B. – NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.
C. – NO DISCHARGE OF FIREARMS.
D. – NO VANDALISM, OR ALTERING OF ANY SITE AMENITIES WILL BE TOLERATED.
E. – ANY IMPROVEMENTS OR CHANGES MUST BE APPROVED BY THE PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR.

HSRCC SAFETY RULES and COURTESIES

Use of the Pony Express Airpark has been granted by agreement with the City of Carson City, through its Parks and Recreation Department. The High Sierra Radio Control Club (HSRCC) manages the Airpark for Carson City under this agreement and assures its members and guests adhere to these rules and is aware of these courtesies. Please observe these rules and courtesies when using the Pony Express Airpark and keep the area clean.

COURTESIES…

The following courtesies, while not rules, do allow some flexibility, and are none the less expected of all flyers at the Pony Express Airpark.

1. Time of in-air flights shall be limited to 15 minutes, unless:
* There are no other flyers.
* All other flyers have given permission for extended use.
2. Use of flight stations shall be shared among the flyers present at the field.
3. All take-off and landing attempts should be announced to other flyers.
4. Police your area when you are done because we want to keep our field clean and presentable. Please do not put food or other things that may attract animals and rodents in our trash cans.
5. Members should display club identification so new flyers and guests can have someone to ask questions (We are providing name badges, etc.). Do not be shy, introduce yourself to our guest flyers or newcomers.
6. Please line up parked vehicles South of shade structures, when possible in line with the table you will be using.
7. The Club offers free flying lessons to prospective new members, or those needing assistance.

GENERAL FIELD RULES

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1. For our safety, no starting engines or energizing electric aircraft in the shade structure area for any reason!
2. The Field Marshall may close the field to flying for field maintenance including weed abatement.
3. No alcoholic beverages are allowed at the flying field in accordance with City Parks and Recreation Rules. Since we do not want to lose the right to use our field your compliance is required. In addition, no flying is permitted if alcoholic beverages have been consumed.
4. The Pony Express Airpark is a City Park. Flying there requires a current AMA Membership Card. We should extend every courtesy to our guests, and advise them of these Courtesies, Rules and Regulations.
5. Children and other spectators must remain behind an invisible line which is immediately in front of the shade structures, running east-west. No one other than pilots and their helpers, spotters and pilots on deck are allowed at the start-up tables. Children must always be supervised.
6. Animals brought to the field by anyone must always be restrained and leashed. (The Carson City Parks Department generally has a “no dogs” policy in high use public park areas.) The animal’s solid waste, if any, must be picked up and disposed of by the animal’s owner.
7. To prevent unnecessary stains, a positive means (i.e., catch bottle or equivalent) to prevent fuel spills when refueling is required on the tables.
8. Kerosene and other combustible fueled turbine engine powered jet aircraft are not allowed at the Pony Express Airpark.
Fire hazards, altitude restrictions and limited space are among the reasons for this (No Turbine Jet) rule.
To be clear electric ducted fans or EDF jets are allowed. As amended on 02/09/2021

SAFETY RULES

1. All flying is to be done in accordance with the Official AMA National Model Aircraft Safety Code. AMA Safety Handbook in PDF
2. If flying on a frequency other than 2.4 personally check with all other pilots to make sure no one is using the frequency you wish to use.
3. Careless, reckless, and/or dangerous flying shall not be permitted. Do not hesitate to express your concerns to fellow pilots regarding their flying if it looks to be unsafe. Persistent violators will be referred to the Club Safety Officer, and if need be, to the Club Board of Directors for appropriate action in accordance with the Club bylaws.
4. It is recommended that if two airplanes are in the air, the pilots agree on a flight circle direction (flight pattern). If more than two airplanes are in the air, it is required that all passes down the runway be into the wind, and that all airplanes follow the same flight circle direction.
5. All engines must have a muffler or an effective silencer.
6. Flying fixed wing aircraft south of the runway is prohibited under any circumstance. This includes all take off climbs as well as all landing approaches. The only exception for flying south of the runway is for helicopters or vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft using the helipad southwest of the runway.
7. Passes down over the runway must be north of the runway east-west center-line.
8. When starting an engine, warn people to stay clear of the propeller arc. Only start engines or electric motors at the startup area tables adjoining the tall pilot protection fence.
9. Direct propeller blast away from other aircraft and people. The required direction for motor/engine startup is northerly on the startup tables, towards the tall pilot protection fence.
10. Perform initial turn after takeoff away from the pits, spectators, and parking area. Thereafter, do not perform maneuvers, flights of any sort, or landing over the pits, spectators, or parking area.
11. For pilot’s safety please fly from the fenced pilot’s boxes behind or to the rear of the short safety fence adjoining the runway.
12. In the event of flight related problems, announce an emergency to flyers and spectators alike. State your landing intentions. Avoid the pilot’s area and spectators.
13. Voice loudly to flyers if you must go onto the runway. Look and listen to assure it is safe to do so. Announce when you are clear of the runway on your return.
14. Thoroughly check all flight systems on your airplane and transmitter before considering a taxi.
15. Do not start your taxi until you have checked to make sure the runway is clear, and no one is making a landing approach or a take-off.
16. Aircraft announcing an “emergency” always have landing priority.
17. Do not taxi in the pit area, behind the pilot’s station.
18. Helicopter and drone flights are permitted in designated areas only. Take-off and landings are to be only on the Helicopter/Drone pad. (As a club, we will identify where drone and helicopters can fly, and when.)
19. AMA requires all aircraft to have a label identifying pilot name, address, AMA number and FAA number.
20. The last HSRCC member to leave the area is responsible for securing buildings, locking gates and policing the area. All HSRCC members have the authority to monitor compliance of all rules and regulations.
21. It is strongly recommended that members do not fly alone.
22. When multiple airplanes are in the air, it is strongly recommended that each pilot be accompanied by a “spotter”. If more than four planes are in the air, Spotters are required.

SPOTTER DUTIES

1. Assist pilots when multiple aircraft are in the pattern as to their location, wind direction, takeoffs/landings, sun direction and emergencies.
2. Keep pilot aware of what other model pilots and crew members are doing, such as retrieving a plane from the runway, or crossing the runway, or starting a plane in a nearby pilot startup station. Alert other pilots and spotters as to your pilot’s intentions, e.g. “Taking off to the right!”, or “Landing from the left!”.
3. Watch for any models that seem to be out of control, in ground handling, or take-offs, landings, or in the pattern. Prepare to protect your pilot if an out-of-control aircraft is approaching, by moving him/her out of its path.
4. Assist the pilot in starting his plane, moving it to the flight line, checking all flight control functions (rudder, elevator, ailerons and throttle) before releasing the model for take-off, and retrieving the plane after landing.
5. Scan the immediate airspace area for full scale aircraft in your vicinity and keep your pilot informed.
6. REMEMBER, you are not here to admire the flight. YOU ARE NOT A SPECTATOR! You are a crew member with definite and important responsibilities.

ACCIDENTAL BRUSH FIRES

The HSRCC Pony Express Airpark has not yet experienced an accidental brush fire caused by a member or a model airplane. Should such an event occur, all flights will be immediately grounded and 911 called. Personnel are encouraged to go to the Clubhouse and retrieve shovels to throw dirt on the fire to extinguish it. When the Fire Trucks or other Emergency Response vehicles arrive do as directed to allow these professionals to do their work.
Note: Next to the Clubhouse entry door is a hand-pumped, water fire extinguisher. It is always about half full of water. This too can be used to suppress the fire.