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LONGHAM RESERVOIR 2 MODEL FLYING RULES
SITE MAP SITE RULES FLYING RULES GENERAL RULES
Please note that “Longham South” on the sketch is in fact “Longham Reservoir 2”, our flying site and “Longham North” is Longham Reservoir 1, the fishing lake.
INTRODUCTION
Longham Reservoir 2 is owned by Sembcorp Bournemouth Water Ltd (SBW) which has entered into an agreement with Christchurch and District Model Flying Club (CDMFC) for the flying of model aircraft from the reservoir.
The only models permitted to be flown at the reservoir are radio controlled, electric-powered, propeller driven, fixed-wing flying boats and floatplanes not exceeding a weight limit of 7kg.
Flying of model aircraft from the reservoir (the designated site) is open only to permit holders of the Longham Reservoir Model Flying Group (LRMFG), part of CDMFC, in accordance with the rules set out below.
Flyers must be members of the British Model Flying Association (BMFA) and will be issued with an annual permit to fly by the LRMFG Secretary.
SITE RULES
- All flyers must be in possession of a current permit when intending to fly at Longham Reservoir 2 and be able to show that current permit, upon request, to the Sembcorp Bournemouth Water (SBW) Longham Reservoirs Duty Warden.
- LRMFG must remain part of CDMFC, and this Club must remain affiliated to the BMFA to operate at Longham Reservoirs.
- Any permit holder intending to fly at Longham Reservoir 2 shall, on arrival at the Longham Reservoirs Study Centre car park, inform the SBW Duty Warden, who is on site/contactable from Monday to Friday 08:00 to 16:15 (Mobile number shown in the Longham Reservoirs Study Centre office window). Outside of these hours, prior to arrival at Longham Reservoirs, permit holders must contact the LRMFG Secretary, who holds an up to date timetable for all activities being undertaken on Longham Reservoir 2, to determine whether flying can take place.
- LRMFG Permit holders intending to fly shall park in the Longham Reservoirs Study Centre car park only.
- Flying can only take place over Longham Reservoir 2 from one of three Flying Locations (FL’s), situated along the northern shore of Reservoir 2, being the north east corner (pontoon), known as FL3, centre (to the west side of the island), known as FL2 and north west corner (south of the water inlet), known as FL1, as detailed on the enclosed map.
- Flying from the centre Flying Location, FL2, as described in point 5, can only take place from 1 August through to 31 March. Between 1 April and 31 July flying cannot take place at this location to avoid the bird nesting season and any nesting birds on the northern island in Longham Reservoir 2.
- Flying from the Flying Location in the north east corner (pontoon) of Longham Reservoir 2, FL3, as described in Rule 5, is only allowed when no other on water activities (currently kayaking & model yachting) are taking place.
- The Flying Location in the north west corner of Longham Reservoir 2, FL1, has no flying restrictions placed on it, other than what is stated in these Rules.
- Each Flying Location is to have a Pits, Pilot Box and Designated Flying Area, as described in the Flying Rules.
- Which Flying Location to use on any intended flying day will be determined after contact has been made with the SBW Longham Reservoirs Duty Warden who will advise on any restrictions in place. Flying shall only take place from one Location at a time. (Amendment 1 dated 9 Jan 2012)
MODEL FLYING RULES
- The only models permitted to fly at Longham Reservoir 2 are radio controlled electric-powered, propeller driven, fixed-wing flying boats and floatplanes not exceeding a weight limit of 7kg.
- Models may be assembled in the Longham Reservoir Study Centre car park, but must be carried to the Pits Area in an inert state with the flight battery disconnected from the speed controller. Radio control equipment may only be switched on in the Pits and Pilot Box Areas. Models may be set up and ground tested in the Pits Area only.
- The Flying Area shall be over the water of Longham Reservoir 2 only, as per the signed agreement with SBW. Flying over the land area surrounding Longham Reservoir 2, the fishing reservoir to the North (Longham Reservoir 1), or any dwelling, public footpath, car park or other public area is strictly forbidden.
- The Designated Area is the area of water over which flying may take place for that day. Normally it will be a box with sides of approximately 400m x 400m with height 100m, one side along the bank of Reservoir 2 where the Pits will be placed.
- The Pits is the area at each Flying Location where radio control equipment can be switched on and model planes set up and ground tested. None of these activities may take place outside the Pits area.
- A Pilot Box at each Flying Location will be located near to the Pits. This box shall be location where flyers stand to operate their models when taking off, flying or landing from the water of Longham Reservoir 2. All models must be operated from the Pilot Box only. Models will be launched with regard for the safety of members of the general public, spectators and other pilots. Models may be hand launched providing that the launch and flight pattern conforms with these rules
- Regardless of permissions given prior to flying, models are not to be flown if there are other Reservoir users and their associated activities within the Designated Area.
- Spectators are to be expected and all flyers are to assist with spectator control and if necessary acquaint the general public with the necessity of keeping clear of the Pits area and Pilot Box. Fliers may invite interested spectators into the Pits area only, with the agreement of all other fliers present and as long as they are supervised by a LRMFG member at all times (whilst in the Pits area). Spectators may not enter the Pilot Box.
- Only transmitters on 35 MHz and 2.4GHz may be used, in accordance with Home Office and OFCOM regulations. A peg-board “Peg On” frequency control system shall be in operation when there are more than two pilots present flying on 35 MHz. Additionally, a queuing system is to be operated when there are more than four pilots present.
- No more than two models may be flown at any one time. When there are pilots waiting to fly, there shall be a maximum individual flight time of 10 minutes.
- Junior members are the responsibility of their parent/guardian, but this may be delegated in accordance with the BMFA guide for caring for junior members.
- LRMFG permit holders may invite occasional visitors as guest flyers to Longham Reservoirs by arrangement with the LRMFG Committee. Guest Flyers must be BMFA members and the LRMFG permit holder must assume total responsibility for the actions and safety of the guest.
- Guest members of other associations with equivalent insurance may fly providing that the LRMFG Committee is satisfied that the cover this insurance provides is equal to or greater than the insurance cover provided to the LRMFG.
- The instructions of the SBW Longham Reservoirs Duty Warden are to be obeyed at all times.
- Fuel engine, rocket or jet propulsion and model helicopter flying is strictly not permitted.
- Any model flying plane crashes are to be notified to the SBW Longham Reservoirs Duty Warden and the LRMFG Secretary, who will keep a record of such incidents, noting the details of the accident and the name of the model flyer. In persistent cases, model flyers may be asked by SBW not to fly models from Longham Reservoirs.
- Every effort must be made to remove all debris from crash sites, whether on land or water.
- Sembcorp Bournemouth Water and Longham Reservoirs Model Flying Group reserve the right to amend these regulations at their discretion.
- Any changes that affect the above rules must be notified to Sembcorp Bournemouth Water in writing within 7 days of the change.
Dated 20 December 2011
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