Thunder Bay Model Airplane Remote Control Club

Lakehead Aeromodellers Field Guidelines
Revised / Updated October 26, 2021

You can download the Lakehead Aeromodellers Field Guidelines
Rev. 5, Oct. 26, 2021 (click here)

1)      General

1.1     All flying is restricted to Current Club members, holding both current year Club membership and MAAC membership, with Guest Demonstration flights allowed under the auspices of a Qualified Pilot member.

1.2     International, Qualified Pilots, are required to obtain MAAC Temporary Membership, per NOTAM #2021-04 and are Welcome at the field, pursuant to obtaining Temporary Membership.

Pursuant to Club, Guest Flyer Privileges, Dated May 5, 2021, qualified Pilots are Welcome to the use of the field, a Maximum of (3) times in the calendar year and Must hold current year MAAC membership.

1.3     Proof of current year MAAC membership must be presented, to a Club Director prior to any flying activities.

1.4     Thunder Bay Model Airplane Remote Control Club / Lakehead Aeromodellers Flight / Field Guidelines and MAAC Safety Code Guidelines must be observed at All times.

2)      Transmitter & Frequency Control

2.1     Thunder Bay Model Airplane Remote Control Club/Lakehead Aeromodellers allows the use of both Narrow Band 72mghz and 2.4 GHz transmitters.

2.2     Upon arrival at the field, All 72mghz transmitters must be placed on a shelf inside the impound area, and ONLY removed, from impound, when the pilot has verified the frequency is open (not in use) and proper frequency pin placed on the frequency control panel posted on the impound.

2.3     All 72mghz transmitters must be turned off unless the pilot has the frequency properly pinned. Note: Only Narrow Band 72mghz transmitters are approved for use at the field.

2.4     All 72mghz transmitters must be returned to the impound after every flight, frequency pin removed from control panel, turned off and stored in the impound until required for further flights.

2.5     NO more than (5) pilots, (1) per flight pad location, are allowed at any time, regardless of transmitter type, 72mghz / 2.4GHz, with appropriate frequency pins placed on the control board.

2.6     Exception to 2.5 extends to Club Annual Air Fest, as demo flights, with qualified spotter required, allowing (3) people on the flight pad.

2.7     Additional frequencies may be properly pined off, if pilots are performing set up activities on their aircraft, in the pit areas, for engine set ups, control surface checks and adjustment.

Pilots are requested to remove their frequency pins, after flying, regardless of frequency type.

3)      Engine Control

3.1     Mufflers are required on all engines over 0.156 cu. In. displacement. No flow through mufflers are allowed.

3.2     NO high speed engine run ups are allowed in the pit areas. Move aircraft out from pit flight line a minimum of 4 metres (12 feet).

3.3     Starting of stalled Aircraft / Helicopters on the active runway is not allowed. Aircraft / Helicopter / Drone / Quadcopter/Multi Rotor must be moved to a Safe distance on the taxi way(s) or returned to the pit area for restart or adjustments.

3.4     Exception to 3.3 extends to Club Annual Air fest, where Combat flying may require restarts, on the active runway. Discretionary decision by Air Fest Director and agreement with Combat participants.

4)      Aircraft Control

4.1     All Aircraft / Helicopter / Drone / FPV /Quad Copter/Multi Rotor take offs and landings are to be made from the designated active runway, as defined by prevailing wind direction. Changes in pattern direction, related to shifting wind conditions, will be made as they arise.

4.2     All Aircraft / Helicopter / Drone / FPV / Quad Copter/Multi Rotor flying, take offs, landings must be performed from a designated flight pad. If required, for training purposes, or first flight testing of new / repaired Aircraft / Helicopter / Drone / FPV / Quad Copter/Multi Rotor take off may be performed while standing behind the aircraft. Permission / approval must be obtained from actively flying pilots prior to entering active runway area.

4.3     No more than (2) people may occupy (1) flight pad. Flight instructor and Student pilot constitute (1) person. Exceptions Ref. Section 2 – Transmitter & Frequency Control Sub Sec. 2.5 & 2.6

4.4   NO flying permitted, Fixed Wing / Drone / Quad Copter / Multi Rotor / FPV / Helicopter behind Flight Pads, or in Pit Areas.             

         All flying to be done over, or North of the active runway, within defined Field boundaries.

NO flying close to, or over, Correctional Centre – East of field.

No flying East of farm equipment access road, as defined by Field boundaries.

NO flying, West of the field past the tree, North / South line, as defined by Field boundaries, or over GFL (Green for Life) or adjacent Animal farm properties, when flying and / or approaching for landing.

NO low flying over the active runway, except for landing purposes and touch and goes. – All Landings / Take offs to be “called” to notify active pilots of aforementioned landings and touch and goes.

Ref. M.A.A.C. Safety Code Sec. 4.7 – 3D Aerobatics, allowed upon Notification to Active Pilots on flight pads of the intent to perform such Flight Activities. No low level, 3D aerobatics, less than 10 metres, while other aircraft are airborne.

4        Aircraft Control, cont’d

Dead stick landings take preference – Active pilots to be advised of dead stick landings via “call out”

4.5     Testing of New / Rebuilt Aircraft / Helicopter / Drone / FPV / Quad Copters / Multi Rotor, require a second qualified pilot to act as an observer. This applies when other pilots or spectators are present. Exclusive air space is preferred, otherwise all active flight pad pilots are to be notified, prior to flight.

4.6     NO Aircraft of Any Type to face directly into the pit area with engine running. Start ups and taxiing out of pit area permitted.

4.7   NO taxiing allowed towards pit area – Aircraft to be shutdown at junctions of taxiway to pit area – East / West side of pit area.

Electric Aircraft / Helicopters / Drones / FPV / Quad Copters / Multi Rotor to be carried out of and into pit area.

Small – Helicopter / Drone / FPV / Quad Copter/Multi Rotor Training flights ONLY allowed in “playpen” area – East & behind flight pads.

4.8   NO flying permitted when grass cutting or field work is in progress, within currently established Leased land boundaries.

4.9   NO flying permitted when farming activities are being performed on farm land property i.e. planting / harvesting crops.

4.10 FPV, First Person View flights require a Qualified Spotter, ref. M.A.A.C. Advisory Publication, MAP 4, Ver. 4 Duties of a Spotter,

Sec. 4.4 and pursuant to M.A.A.C. Safety Documents MSD 8, Ver. 6 – Use of First Person View Devices & MSD 7, Ver.3 – Need For and Duties of Spotters and Helpers

5)      Miscellaneous

5.1     To recover downed aircraft east of the middle road (between the field and Correctional Centre – C.C.) permission must first be sought from the C.C. – Phone 475-8401 – prior to approaching C.C. or drive to C.C. main entrance and talk to C.C. personnel.

No Loud Orange Clothing to Be Worn While at Field – Correctional Centre Request.

5.2     NO Intoxicants are permitted on any areas of the flying site at any time. This applies to Members, guests & general public.

5.3     NO ignition keys to be left in parked vehicles, doors locked preferably. This condition set by our landlord Ontario Lands & Infrastructure.

5.4     Chairs are allowed on North side of the security fence provided they are kept adjacent to the fence, behind active pit area.

5.5     All pets must be leashed, under control and remain on the South side of the security fence.

5.6     Everyone must remove their own Garbage from the field when they leave the field.

6)      Training Nights

6.1     Tuesdays and Thursdays, weather permitting, between the hours of 6:30PM to dusk.

Air space is restricted to student pilots, Open flying is permitted with approval of student / trainer.

Use of 72mghz transmitters, Trainee takes precedence, if frequency conflicts exist, with qualified pilots wishing to fly.

Flying is unrestricted, if no trainees are present.