WRCF By Laws

Winnebago R.C. Flyers, Inc.

Oshkosh, Wisconsin

BY LAWS AND OFFICIAL SAFETY CODE

Last Amended: February 22^nd 2007

ARTICLE I - NAME

The name of the club shall be “WINNEBAGO R.C. FLYERS, INC.”

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

The objective of this club shall be to promote model building and flying in Winnebago County and in this county’s general locality, and to aid insofar as possible the national program of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (hereafter referred to as the AMA) and other AMA activities, looking toward the continual advancement of model aviation in all its phases in the United States.
All special or local enterprises of Winnebago R.C. Flyers, Inc. shall conform to policies of the AMA, and to the regulations of those organizations governing model aircraft contests.

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP AND DUES

1. Flying Membership (As amended February 22^nd, 2007)

a. All persons shall be eligible for membership in the club, provided they meet the qualifications prescribed by this club and by the AMA, and hold an individual membership issued by the AMA.

b. Any member in good standing may resign their membership by giving written notice to the Club, or by informing a club officer of their intent to resign.

c. If any member ceases to have the qualification necessary for membership in the AMA, their “flying membership” in the Club shall thereby terminate, subject to reinstatement upon restoration of eligibility.

Non Flying/Associate Membership

Any person who does not wish to fly at the club field can join the club by paying the regular club dues amount for the calendar year in question. Such member will be called a Non Flying or Associate Member. Such member does not need a current AMA membership.

The annual membership dues to the club shall be set by quorum vote. Membership will include the family. Junior membership shall be equal to the cost of the AMA Junior Membership dues. Dues to be paid in full by the March meeting.
No special assessment shall be levied upon the club membership at any time, except by quorum vote.
The Treasurer of the club is authorized to receive contributions or specially-obtained funds from any individual or institution, to be applied to the operating expenses of the club.
Guest and Visitor Flying Policy

Guest Pilot Flying Policy: For purposes of these bylaws, a “Guest Pilot” is any AMA member who has never been a WRCF member.

i. A “Guest Pilot” may fly at the field a maximum of three times a year, and must be accompanied by any current WRCF member.

ii. “Three times”, means any three different days over a year. After having flown a maximum of three times, the “Guest Pilot” must join the club in order to fly again.

Visitor Pilot Flying Policy: Any AMA member who does not live in the area, and who is visiting the area temporarily is allowed to fly at the field. A “Visitor Pilot” includes:

i. Any AMA member pilot who flies at club sanctioned “fly-ins”, provided the pilot otherwise fulfills the fly-in requirements.

ii. Any AMA member pilot who is on vacation in the area, or who is an EAA Volunteer staying in the area.

iii. Any former WRCF club member who has moved out of the area, and is back visiting the area.

ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

The officers of the Winnebago R.C. Flyers, Inc. shall consist of:

President

Vice President

Secretary

Treasurer

The Club shall maintain a Board of Directors. This board shall consist of:

President

Vice President

Secretary

Treasurer

Names of the directors shall be kept with the club incorporation papers which are on file in Madison. The state of Wisconsin shall be officially notified of any changes to the board of directors.

The officers of the Winnebago R.C. Flyers, Inc. shall appoint, as necessary, the following positions:

Contest Director

Field Marshall

Safety Officer

Duties of the officers and appointed positions are as follows:

PRESIDENT	The President shall preside at all meetings of the club, and shall act as spokesperson for the club in all matters pertaining to it.
VICE PRESIDENT	The Vice President shall act for the President when he/she is unable to serve.
SECRETARY	The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings and the attendance roll of such meetings
TREASURER	The Treasurer shall be in charge of all moneys and shall furnish monthly reports on the status of the club’s financial condition.
CONTEST DIRECTOR	The CD is responsible for organizing and running flying events.
FIELD MARSHALL	The Field Marshall shall be in charge of field upkeep and management.
SAFETY OFFICER	The Safety Officer shall be in charge of safety at the club field.

ARTICLE V - TERMS OF OFFICERS

All officers of the Winnebago R.C. Flyers, Inc. shall serve for one year from the date of election.
The election of officers shall be held annually at the December meeting, and a nomination committee shall consist of the last two prior Presidents (see minutes of 1990). A nominee shall be asked prior to the nomination if he/she would consider serving.

ARTICLE VI - VACANCIES

Vacancies in any office shall be filled by appointment using a quorum vote of members; such appointee will serve until the end of the term for which his predecessor was elected.

ARTICLE VII - COMMITTEES

Special committees as required may be named from time to time by the President.

ARTICLE VIII - REGULAR BUSINESS

Regular meetings shall be held on the last Thursday of the month, unless notified otherwise. Special meetings of the club shall be at any convenient time, upon a call by the President or upon call signed by any seven members of the club, provided that any such call shall name the time and place of such meeting and the subject matter, and shall be issued at least three (3) days in advance of the date set.
All regular business affairs and enterprises conducted by the club shall be directed by the President who may call a meeting of the membership to decide on any problem or business activity.
At any club meeting, a quorum shall be ten members of the active membership.

ARTICLE IX - SAFETY REGULATIONS

The AMA safety code is in force at all times.

All AMA rules, regulations, and guidelines, with respect to newly constructed or repaired airplanes, and new pilots must be observed at all times. The following rules are meant to supplement AMA rules, regulations, and guidelines with respect to the WRCF club flying site. See AMA rules, regulations, guidelines reproduced below in Appendix B. Note also any updates to these rules which are posted at the flying field.

WRCF Flying Site Operational Rules

1. There shall be no deliberate flying over the pit area, parking area, and/or spectators.

2. There shall be no taxiing in the pit area. Aircraft may taxi out taxi-ways, but must be pushed or carried in the pit area.

3. New or repaired aircraft will be checked by a qualified instructor or pilot before the first flight.

4. Spectators are not permitted in the pits or on the flying field unless accompanied by a member.

5. Children are allowed beyond the spectator area only when under the direct supervision of an adult. Dogs are allowed only in the parking area, and must be on a leash.

6. Gasoline/diesel powered aircraft must have an approved fire extinguisher as part of the field equipment.

7. The established frequency control plan will be enforced at all times. All transmitters brought to the flying field must be placed in “impound”. No transmitter may be turned on without that channel’s designated frequency pin. A flyer can only obtain a frequency pin by posting his/her current AMA card with current club sticker endorsement on the frequency pin board. A different method of card/pin/frequency control may be employed during special flying events, e.g. Fly-In.

8. All available radio channels are allowed.

9. Effective silencers are required for all engines over .10 CI displacement.

10. All flyers must be current AMA members and club members.

11. All pilots will fly pattern when more than two pilots are in the air. Pattern is upwind over the landing strip, and downwind on the outer perimeters.

12. Courtesy will be shown to all pilots, especially new pilots. Allow them the air space they may require.

13. Parking will be only in the designated parking areas.

14. Pilots shall use appropriate announcements when taking off, landing, and during emergency situations.

15. No wet power flying on Sundays before 11 AM.

ARTICLE X – GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE (FLIGHT and GROUND SAFETY RULES)

Purpose The grievance procedure provides a mechanism to enforce existing safety rules by providing a progressive disciplinary system when needed. Although most complaints can be resolved informally, if a complaint is serious or cannot be resolved informally, the matter should be referred to the Board of Directors for its consideration by means of a Grievance Form to be filled out and turned into the Safety Officer. At least one witness is required to sign the Grievance Form.
The Board of Directors shall use its judgment in carrying out action on the following:

(a) A grievance form (Appendix A) will be filled out and turned into the Safety Officer. At least one witness is required.

(b) FIRST VIOLATION

a. Viewpoints of both complainants and accused will be considered.

b. Complainants name will be disclosed.

c. A verbal reprimand will be given to the accused by the Safety Officer, and this will be recorded in the Club files.

a. Complainants name will be disclosed.

b. The accused has the right to a written rebuttal, to be reviewed by the Board of Directors

c. If the Board of Directors so decides, the flying privileges of the accused will be suspended for thirty (30) days. Written notice of this shall be issued and a copy published in the Club newsletter.

(d) THIRD VIOLATION

a. Board of Directors will notify the accused in writing and the Club members via the Club newsletter that the Club will vote on the expulsion of the accused at the next meeting.

b. Said expulsion will last for a one-year minimum. (Longer if deemed necessary by the Board of Directors.)

c. A member may be expelled from the Club only upon a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the membership present at the meeting.

d. Voting will be by secret ballot at a regular monthly meeting.

e. The expelled member may reapply for membership after the expiration of the expulsion time period.

(e) The three actions will not be enforced unless they are accumulated within a two-year period of time.

(f) Any member receiving a Grievance, who directs any retaliation action against the person filing said Grievance, will be subject to immediate expulsion from the Club. This is to include threats, intimidation, physical harm, intentional equipment damage, or any other action deemed to be retaliatory by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XI – DISSOLUTION

The Corporation may be dissolved with the approval of a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the total membership.
Upon the dissolution of the Corporation, the Board shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all of the liabilities of the Corporation, dispose of all the assets of the Corporation exclusively for the purposes of the Corporation in such manner, to the Academy of Model Aeronautics, Inc., or to such other organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, religious or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under section 501©(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or to such other organization with purposes similar to the purposes of this Corporation, as the Board shall determine. Any of such assets not so disposed shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Please (or similar court) of the county in which the principal office of this organization or organizations, as said court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.

ARTICLE XII - AMENDMENTS

Amendments may be made to the Constitution and these bylaws at any general meeting of the Club membership, provided the members shall have been notified in writing at least five(5) days in advance that the amendments are to be considered. Copies of the proposed amendments shall be provided to all members as part of the notification. Amendments shall be approved by no less than a two-third (2/3) majority vote of the members present, at any regular monthly meeting.

Winnebago R.C. Flyers Club Grievance Form – Appendix A

Date: Time:

Nature of Violation:

Signature:

Witness:

Additional Witnesses (not required):

AMA Safety Code – Appendix B

Membership Information

Insurance coverage is effective on the date of receipt at AMA Headquarters of a properly completed application and correct dues payment. Membership ends each year on December 31, regardless of the date a membership application is received. If a magazine is included with the membership, it begins with the first issue available for the year after a correct current application and payment are received; it expires with the issue printed in December (which is dated February of the following year). Membership rates and insurance limits are those in effect at time of printing. Actual cost of dues and amount of insurance coverage is subject to change. Any such changes will be noted at the time of membership processing so that they may be accepted or not.

2004 Official AMA National Model Aircraft Safety Code -- Effective January 1, 2004

I understand that my failure to comply with the Safety Code may endanger my insurance coverage.

(Changes are identified in bold.)

GENERAL

1) I will not fly my model aircraft in sanctioned events, air shows, or model flying demonstrations until it has been proven to be airworthy by having been previously, successfully flight tested.

2) I will not fly my model higher than approximately 400 feet within 3 miles of an airport without notifying the airport operator. I will give right-of-way and avoid flying in the proximity of full-scale aircraft. Where necessary, an observer shall be utilized to supervise flying to avoid having models fly in the proximity of full-scale aircraft.

3) Where established, I will abide by the safety rules for the flying site I use, and I will not willfully and deliberately fly my models in a careless, reckless and/or dangerous manner.

4) The maximum takeoff weight of a model with fuel is 55 pounds, except models flown under Experimental Aircraft rules, Document Number 549*.

5) I will not fly my model unless it is identified with my name and address or AMA number, on or in the model. Note: This does not apply to models while being flown indoors.

6) I will not operate models with metal-bladed propellers or with gaseous boosts, in which gases other than air enter their internal combustion engine(s); nor will I operate models with extremely hazardous fuels such as those containing tetranitromethane or hydrazine.

7) I will not operate models with pyrotechnics (any device that explodes, burns, or propels a projectile of any kind) including, but not limited to, rockets, explosive bombs dropped from models, smoke bombs, all explosive gases (such as hydrogen filled balloons), ground mounted devices launching a projectile. The only exceptions permitted are rockets flown in accordance with the National Model Rocketry Safety Code or those permanently attached (as per JATO use); also those items authorized for Air Show Team use as defined by AST Advisory Committee (document available from AMA HQ). In any case, models using rocket motors as a primary means of propulsion are limited to a maximum weight of 3.3 pounds and a G series motor. A model aircraft is defined as a non-human-carrying device capable of sustained flight in the atmosphere not exceeding the limitations established in this Code, exclusively for recreation, sport, and/or competition activities. The operators of radio control model aircraft shall control the aircraft from the ground and maintain unenhanced visual contact with the aircraft throughout the entire flight operation. No aircraft shall be equipped with devices that would allow for autonomous flight.

8) I will not consume alcoholic beverages prior to, nor during, participation in any model operations.

9) Children under 6 years old are only allowed on the flight line as a pilot or while under flight instruction.

RADIO CONTROL

1) I will have completed a successful radio equipment ground range check before the first flight of a new or repaired model.

2) I will not fly my model aircraft in the presence of spectators until I become a qualified flier, unless assisted by an experienced helper.

3) At all flying sites a straight or curved line(s) must be established in front of which all flying takes place with the other side for spectators. Only personnel involved with flying the aircraft are allowed at or in the front of the flight line. Intentional flying behind the flight line is prohibited.

4) I will operate my model using only radio control frequencies currently allowed by the Federal Communications Commission. (Only properly licensed Amateurs are authorized to operate equipment on Amateur Band frequencies.)

5) I will not knowingly operate my model within three miles of any pre-existing flying site except in accordance with the frequency sharing agreement listed below in this paragraph

Flying sites separated by three miles or more are considered safe from site-to site interference, even when both sites use the same frequencies. Any circumstances under three miles separation require a frequency management arrangement which may be either an allocation of specific frequencies for each site or testing to determine that freedom from interference exists. Allocation plans or interference test reports shall be signed by the parties involved and provided to AMA Headquarters. Documents of agreement and reports may exist between (1) two or more AMA Chartered Clubs, (2) AMA clubs and individual AMA members not associated with AMA Clubs, or (3) two or more individual AMA members, Document Number 551*.

6) For Combat, distance between combat engagement line and spectator line will be 500 feet per cubic inch of engine displacement. (Example: .40 engine = 200 feet.); electric motors will be based on equivalent combustion engine size. Additional safety requirements will be per the RC Combat section of the current Competition Regulations.

7) At air shows or model flying demonstrations a single straight line must be established, one side of which is for flying, with the other side for spectators.

8) With the exception of events flown under AMA Competition rules, after launch, except for pilots or helpers being used, no powered model may be flown closer than 25 feet to any person.

9) Under no circumstances may a pilot or other person touch a powered model in flight; nor should any part of the model other than the landing gear, intentionally touch the ground, except while landing.

10) All officials, callers, and contestants must properly wear helmets, which are OSHA, DOT, ANSI, SNELL, OR NOCSAE approved or comparable standard while on the race course with aircraft(s) in flight.

Organized RC Racing Event

11) An RC racing event, whether or not an AMA Rule Book event, is one in which model aircraft compete in flight over a prescribed course with the objective of finishing the course faster to determine the winner.

In every organized racing event in which contestants, callers and officials are on the course:

1. All officials will be off the course except for the starter and their assistant.

2. “On the course” is defined to mean any area beyond the pilot/staging area where actual flying takes place.

I will not fly my model aircraft in any organized racing event which does not comply with paragraph A above or which allows models over 20 pounds unless that competition event is AMA sanctioned.
Distance from the pylon to the nearest spectator (line) will be in accordance with the current Competition Regulations under the RC Pylon Racing section for the specific event pending two or three pylon course layout.

12) R/C Night Flying is limited to low performance models (less than 100 m.p.h.). The models must be equipped with a lighting system that clearly defines the aircrafts attitude at all times.

FREE FLIGHT

1) I will not launch my model aircraft unless at least 100 feet downwind of spectators and automobile parking.

2) I will not fly my model unless the launch area is clear of all persons except my mechanic and officials.

3) I will employ the use of an adequate device in flight to extinguish any fuses on the model after it has completed its function.

CONTROL LINE

1) I will subject my complete control system (including safety thong, where applicable) to an inspection and pull test prior to flying. Pull test will be in accordance with the current Competition Regulations for applicable model category. Models not fitting a specific category as detailed shall use those pull test requirements for Control Line Precision Aerobatics.

2) I will assure that my flying area is safely clear of all utility wires or poles.

3) I will assure that my flying area is safely clear of all non-essential participants and spectators before permitting my engine to be started.

4) I will not fly a model closer than 50 feet to any electrical power line.

GAS TURBINE

1) I will not operate any turbine engine (axial or centrifugal flow) unless I have obtained a special waiver for such specific operations.

2) I will fly my model in compliance with all requirements specified in AMA Safety Regulations for Model Aircraft Gas Turbines, Document Number 513*, at all times.

GIANT SCALE RACING

1) I will fly my model in compliance with all requirements specified in AMA Required Safety Standards for Giant Scale Racing, Document Number 535*, at all times.

* Document Numbers refer to the AMA Website Document Number.