CLUB BY-LAWS (Rules) Issue 10 September 2024
These Club By-Laws have been designed for the ultimate safety of all members and visitors. Non adherence may result in disciplinary action.
GENERAL
1. Only “South Eastern Model Aircraft Club Inc” financial members, prospective members and approved visitors may use the SEMAC field and club rooms.
2. Visiting MAAA affiliated financial members may use the field provided that they have minimum MAAA Silver wing rating & sign into our visitor’s book and agree to abide by the SEMAC club rules. Visitors need to be signed in by a SEMAC member with flying rights and at least Silver Wings. Juniors and associates cannot sign in a visitor. A SEMAC member may sign in only one visitor on any one day.
3. Visitors are not permitted to fly unless accompanied by a senior SEMAC member with flying rights and then can only attend a maximum of three times in any twelve-month period. A senior member is someone who has SEMAC flying rights and has had these rights for 3 consecutive years and has Silver Wings.
4. SEMAC membership badges should be worn in a prominent position at all times during flying operations.
5. The consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs at the field or within the boundary of MulchXpress is strictly prohibited. Furthermore, when operating a model aircraft the pilot must not be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs and must abide by the MAAA Alcohol, Drugs and Medical Condition Policy (MOP055).
6. Smoking is not permitted in the pit area, any undercover area or flight line. Smoking is only permitted in the car park area.
7. SEMAC is a social and training club. It does not have any special interest groups. In accordance with the principal that anyone can turn up at any time and expect to be able to fly, SEMAC does not conduct competitions and training for competition flying is not permitted if others wish to use the field. In particular, practicing for IMAC competition is not permitted.
8. Members who allow their membership to lapse for a period greater than three months must re-apply for membership and may be liable for payment of the New Member Application Fee at the discretion of the Committee.
9. The prescribed by-laws are a SEMAC requirement enabling us to operate in a safe manner and to comply with our City of Greater Dandenong Planning permit, our landlord’s expectations, and CASA regulations - which allows our operation at SEMAC field. We are specifically excluded from running public flying events.
10. For an explanation of any of the rules please contact a member of the committee.
SAFETY
11. Every member shall accept responsibility for their flying safely and is obliged to request other members and visitors to abide by these rules and fly safely.
12. A fire extinguisher, fire beater and water spray backpack must be located at the flight line before the commencement of any flying activities as per the SEMAC fire plan.
13. On Total Fire Ban (TFB) days that include our field, flying is not permitted and the field is closed to members.
14. The following incidents MUST be reported to a member of the Committee (preferably the President or Secretary) at the earliest opportunity:
a. Any medical emergency or incident that involves physical injury or had the potential to cause injury to any person
b. Use of any first aid items or the defibrillator. The first aid kit and defibrillator are located in the white (cookhouse) container
c. Any incident that involves an uncontrolled entry into the pit area or car park by an aircraft d. Any ‘flyaway’ incident where a plane has downed or has likely downed outside SEMAC field and cannot be recovered (IMPORTANT, see also rule 36)
15. A maximum of five powered aircraft are permitted in the circuit at any one time. Powered / unpowered gliders are exempt until they enter the circuit for landing.
16. All aircraft must be in a safe flying condition. Aircraft not considered by an instructor or Committee member to be safe will not be permitted to fly.
17. All pilots are to stand in the designated flight line area when flying. Circuit flying has precedence over the runways. Pilots flying in the dead zone must stand within the flight line area to control their planes.
18. If provided, fail-safe must be set on all receivers. Flying is strictly prohibited over the pits, spectator areas, and car park. SEMAC has a special exemption from CASA (see CASA INSTRUMENT )that allows flight to 1000ft subject to the conditions below.
a. Any model flying over 400ft must be equipped with working failsafe, telemetry and a barometer that transmits altitude AGL,
AND
b. the Airband radio monitor (tuned to Moorabbin ATC) in the white container must be on,
AND
c. A separate spotter should be in attendance to assist with model location and any aircraft hazard. d. At all times if a visual sighting of an aircraft approaching SEMAC, or a broadcast from Moorabbin of an approach over SEMAC is made, all models must immediately go below 400ft. If an aircraft is judged to be in danger of encroaching the field boundaries all models must immediately land.
19. Flying over incoming vehicles is prohibited and should be avoided at all times. Drivers are responsible for stopping if an aircraft is on approach and committed.
20. All manoeuvres, especially taking off and landings on the runways must be called out prior to that manoeuvre taking place. This also applies to physical entry on to the runways and low pass flight along the runways. A response must be heard prior to undertaking manoeuvre.
21. Pilots taking off shall do so at designated areas and at least 10 metres from the pits and car park boundaries.
22. Dead stick calls take precedence for runway landing use. Pilots shall keep their aircraft clear of a dead stick aircraft.
23. No hand or assisted launching is permitted from within the flight line area. All hand launch pilots are to return to flight line area as soon as possible after launching.
24. Aircraft must not be taxied in the pit area.
25. All aircraft (electric and IC) must normally be facing the pit fence and securely held by a mechanical restraint, the pilot, or an assistant when being started, range checked or being tuned for flight while in the pits.
26. Each individual model must be range checked before the first flight of the day. 27. An exception is made for electric aircraft which must be armed and set-up on the outside tables. However, it is the pilot’s responsibility to ensure this is done safely and with no risk to any other person.
28. No aircraft may be armed (capable of powered propeller rotation) under the roof between the containers, in the containers nor under the eastern shelter, under any circumstances.
29. Aircraft weighing more than 7kg (excluding fuel) and designated as heavy models must have been approved by a MAAA appointed Heavy Model inspector prior to any flying.
30. Only the pilot certified by the heavy model inspector may fly their designated heavy model and should carry the relevant certificate when flying.
31. No dogs or other pets are permitted at the SEMAC flying field.
32. Parents who bring children to the field are responsible for their care and conduct while at the field. 33. In accordance with CASA regulations, all FPV flying must utilise a separate individual as spotter who maintains LOS contact with the model at all times.
34. There are Civil Aviation Safety Authority laws that apply to flying R/C models. They are enforceable through the courts, and penalties for breaches can be very severe. For the full rules refer to CASR Part 101 – “Unmanned aircraft and rockets” and Instrument number CASA 96/17 issued on 17 October 2017 and updated 9 April, 2019.
GOOD NEIGHBOUR POLICY
35. In addition to Rule 15, refer to the diagram SEMAC Fight Zones at https://www.semac.org.au/standard-procedures-phraseology which clearly shows our allowed over-fly areas. In particular models must not be flown over the southern boundary fence line. The paddock beyond the southern boundary is strictly out of bounds.
36. However, should a plane go down in the area beyond the southern boundary, YOU MUST speak to the President or Secretary. If neither is present at the field, YOU MUST call one or the other (leave a message if necessary) and they will contact the property owner or lessor and let them know what has happened and obtain permission to enter the property. DO NOT collect your plane first and then call the President or Secretary. YOU MUST let them know first and they will confirm with you they have spoken to the owner or lessor and you are permitted to retrieve your plane.
37. Hours of Operation as per our Greater Dandenong Council Planning Permit are strictly as follows: • Monday to Friday – 7:00am to 30 minutes after sunset (as determined by the Bureau of Meteorology); and
• Saturday to Sunday and Public Holidays – 9:00am to 30 minutes after sunset (as determined by the Bureau of Meteorology)
38. All internal combustion motors must be fitted with an effective muffler to contain noise to MAAA limits. A noise meter is available for use by any member and an instructor or a committee member may request a check of a suspected noisy aircraft at any time.
39. Engines must not be run for extended periods in the pit area. Running in or extended tuning should be undertaken at the northern end of North /South pit area.
40. Gas turbine powered aircraft and helicopters shall not be flown at the SEMAC field under any circumstances.
41. Multirotor aircraft: SEMAC is established as a club to encourage and support fixed wing model flying. It is not a Multirotor (commonly called “Drone”) club. People who have a principal interest in multirotor flight will not be offered membership. However, many fixed wing fliers also have an interest in multirotors and SEMAC recognises they are an important and fascinating aspect of the hobby. Accordingly, multirotor aircraft are permitted provide they do not interfere with normal fixed wing flying. In particular multirotor aircraft must not intrude on fixed wing circuit flying at any time. Multi rotor pilots must satisfy the Chief Flying Instructor they are capable of controlling their craft before flying solo.
42. Use of the club facilities after dark is not permitted. Care must be taken when transiting through MulchXpress work premises, particularly if leaving after dark.
43. On weekends and after hours Members must ensure Gate 1 (automatic) is always closed unless MX staff/contractors are present. If this not the case it should be reported to the SEMAC President, who will advise MX of the problem. Gate 2 must always be closed on entry or exit. Gate 3 is open when
flying is taking place but is otherwise locked. The last person to leave the field must ensure the gate is locked on their exit.
TRAINING
44. Only nominated SEMAC instructors are permitted to teach. Nominated instructors may be MAAA certified or Club approved.
45. Learners and new members must be accompanied by a SEMAC appointed instructor while flying until a club solo rating is obtained. A club solo may be unrestricted or restricted. A restricted solo rating allows flying only of models weighing 2kg or less.
RADIO REQUIREMENTS
46. All radio equipment must comply with MAAA certification and/or equipment acceptance requirements. All equipment must be operated strictly in accordance with the applicable MAAA policies.
47. If VHF equipment (commonly 36MHz) is being used, it is up to the individual pilot to check that there is no clash of channels with any other pilot before flight.
48. Maximum flying time is 15 minutes. This will enable all members wishing to fly to have adequate opportunity to do so. The only exception to this time limit is for the flying of gliders.
MEMBERSHIP
49. All applicants for membership need to complete a New Member Application form after their first visit to the field and must attend a total of 4 flying days within a 6 week period (weather permitting). If not an existing MAAA member covered by Rule 2, they may fly during that time but must be accompanied by an instructor. After completing their required Sunday flying sessions, the Committee will meet to consider their application. They may then be offered a probationary membership. Once approved and they have paid the appropriate membership and joining fees, they will be admitted as a Probationary Member. Following a 12 months probationary period, the Committee will again meet to consider whether the probationary member will be offered full membership. In the event that a membership application is not approved the applicant will be advised of the decision at the earliest time. The Committee’s decision is final and there is no appeal process should a probationary or full membership be declined.
IMPORTANT NOTE
SEMAC is an MAAA club and all members are advised to make themselves familiar with the provisions contained within the MAAA and its Methods of Procedures available at https://www.maaa.asn.au/.
In particular members are expected to read and comply with MOP041 Member Protection Policy, MOP055: Alcohol, Drugs and Medical Conditions Policy and MOP028: Discipline Procedure Policy.