The Bramalea Radio Control Flyers Club is a membership-driven organization promoting the popular hobby of model aircraft flying. The club was started over 35 years ago in the community of Bramalea. The membership consists of all age groups, from students to retirees. Our club is incorporated with an elected Executive, is a Charter Member of the Model Aeronautics Association of Canada and has a strong relationship with the City of Brampton’s Recreation Department. Monthly meetings are held for the membership to conduct club business, welcome any visitors or new members and provide a venue for guest speakers. One of the primary purposes of the club is to provide a safe, structured environment for doing what we all aspire to do here, fly our models. Rules and guidelines are established, liability insurance is provided through MAAC (www.maac.ca), and today's modern technology in radio-control systems enhances this hobby's safety and enjoyment for everyone. Our primary flying field is well equipped with features that enable a fun and safe flying experience for beginners and seasoned flyers alike.
The range of fun one can experience in this hobby is widespread. The thrill of controlling an airplane, multi-rotor or helicopter safely with your friends and club members, and returning for a smooth landing is a rewarding experience in itself. How much you want to do with the hobby is almost limitless.
You start off learning the basics of flying a model with a simple "Cessna-like" trainer. Then you can upgrade your aircraft as your skills improve to an aerobatic machine like those at an airshow. Your interest could develop into building a "scale" aircraft like a World War II fighter or a multi-engine transport.
Our flying models vary in size from the dimensions of paper airplanes to "minivan required" aircraft 6 feet long or greater, electric and gas powered helicopters and multi-rotor craft. Most trainers however will fit in a Honda Civic with ease. Everybody likes to fly but some prefer building and their resulting creations are truly breathtaking aircraft. Others dislike building "kits" and would rather purchase "Almost-Ready-to-Fly" airplane models so they can spend more time in the air than in the workshop. The traditional model airplane is powered by a small 2-stroke "glow fuel" model engine. The evolution of electric model aircraft has changed the hobby substantially. Electric motors and lithium polymer batteries are very popular as an alternative to nitro-methane fuel. For very large models a high performance lightweight gasoline engine can swing very large props. Even true turbine powered jet engines are available. The hobby has grown to the point where essentially any real-world aircraft can be modelled and flown, be it helicopters, gliders, "turbo-jet" powered fighters, World War I biplanes, flying wings or even an Airbus A380. Some pilots enjoy practicing their aerobatic maneuvers with the intention of entering local competitions just like the "full size" aerobatic meets, while others just like to take up their airplanes to leisurely fly around "the circuit" or to practice take-offs and landings. Monthly events during the summer called "fun-flys" take place at our flying field where any member can participate to win prizes and have a good time. All you need to do is show up and try your best at performing relatively simple flying maneuvers like loops, rolls, spot-landings, timed glides or even bomb drops. Indoor flying of small flat foam electric models is very popular, especially during the winter months.
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BRCFI Flying and Safety Rules
Standing Resolutions #6 and #7 from the brcfi by-laws and Constitution
1. All M.A.A.C. Safety Rules are to be followed. Should there be a conflict between these Club Safety Rules and the M.A.A.C. Safety Rules; the M.A.A.C. Safety Rules shall prevail.
2. All pilots are required to have a minimum Basic RPAS certificate. This requirement will be updated as required.
3. All aircraft are required to have an identification tag affixed that includes pilots name, MAAC #, Phone # and TC serial # when applicable.
4. All vehicles shall be parked in the provided parking lot or designated parking area away from the flying site.
5. Upon arrival at the flying field, all transmitters are to be placed in the impound. When the radio frequency you wish is clear, a proper channel tag, (as described on page 8) displaying you radio channel number with your current membership card and M.A.A.C. membership cards or copies thereof attached must be hanged on the appropriate location on the frequency board before the transmitter is retrieved from the impound and switched on.
6. Members’ pre-flight activities shall take place in the designated pit area, and the following shall govern conduct in the pit area.
· No engine shall be started in the pit area.
· Prolonged running, or breaking in, of engines shall be accomplished in the designated area.
· Spectators, for their own safety, are not permitted in the pit area.
· A member may invite a visitor into the pit area for a specific reason, but the visitor must not remain for a prolonged period.
7. When a position on the flight line is available and you are ready to fly, secure (i.e.: tag) the appropriate frequency and move into the ready area behind the flight stone for the proper engine starting procedures.
8. Rules of conduct when flying shall be as follows:
* No aircraft shall be permitted to fly if it emits a sound level greater than 88dbA, (see note below), and, if required, all engines must be equipped with an efficient muffler system to achieve this requirement.
Note: Noise levels will be enforced by use of the Club’s sound level meter to determine output at a measured distance of 7 meters and 1 meter above the ground. The method of measurement shall be as prescribed by the Executive and all decisions relative to testing shall remain final.
* A maximum of five pilot positions are available, designated by the spaced pads provided and pilots must stay in the pad area when flying.
* Use of the runway by pilots or helpers, e.g. for viewing take-offs or retrieval of landed aircraft, shall be as brief as possible, and clearance to access runway must be obtained from pilots already flying.
* All turns after take-off must be beyond the flight line and away from the pit area and be kept clear of restricted areas.
* Flying is prohibited behind the flight line, or over the spectator and vehicles parking areas.
* Flying is not allowed over inhabited dwellings.
* No aircraft, while in flight, shall fly closer to the pilot positions than the “flight line” which is clearly delineated on the runway.
9. A guest may be permitted to fly at the Club’s facilities when accompanied by a current Club member; the guest must be in possession of a current M.A.A.C. membership card. Guest appearances must be limited and shall not interfere with the rights of Club members to fly.
10. Safety and adherence to these resolutions is the responsibility of all Club members and as such must be enforced by all members. Continued violations must be brought to the attention of the Executive who are responsible to review and assess appropriate action, which may include suspension of or outright removal of Club rights and privileges from a member.
Pilot Certification
All new pilots or new members must pass a Flight Evaluation Test. The test may be conducted by any instructor using the Club’s Pilot Evaluation Report (last page of Member’s Handbook). New pilots or new members will be issued a beginners membership card until they have successfully passed the test and until such time, a qualified pilot must monitor a beginner card member during any flights. The instructor will sign off the beginner membership card thus allowing full flight privileges. The completed Pilot Evaluation Report shall be submitted to the Club President who will then issue the full membership card.
Model Helicopter Flying Rules
1) New r/c model helicopter pilots should receive dual training and supervision from a competent r/c helicopter pilot before attempting hover practice and forward flight. Hover practice shall occur only in the designated model helicopter “hover training area”. Forward flight and circuits with a model helicopter is permitted only beyond the flight line with the pilot occupying station #5. Initial forward flight practice should be under supervision from a competent r/c helicopter pilot until the student has demonstrated the ability to safely fly solo.
2) The designated model helicopter “training area” is for low altitude hover and hover taxiing only. Maximum permitted height of model helicopter flying is 6 feet above the ground. (The proximity of the pit area and the adjacent baseball diamond prohibits high / fast model flying in this area) The pilot should fly with his back to the pit area keeping the model helicopter a safe distance from the fences. Hovering should not occur near the runway edge which may conflict with aircraft conducting take-offs and landings.
3) Model helicopter flying in forward flight and circuits shall be flown beyond the designated flight line with the pilot occupying flying station #5. Communicating with other pilots is the most effective way of integrating helicopter circuits with the fixed wing aircraft circuits.
- If there are other model aircraft flying, the model helicopter should be hand positioned as close to the flight line as possible and safely beyond the “heli fence”. Take-off and landing shall be accomplished to the right of flying station #5 behind the heli fence and on or near the flight line.
- If there are no other model aircraft flying, the model helicopter can be positioned beyond the flight line on the runway centerline in front of flying station #5 for take-off and landing. Communicate intentions with other flyers as they join the flying circuit. If other models commence flights, the model helicopter landing shall be accomplished beyond the “heli fence” and on or near the flight line.
4) Reducing conflicts in all phases of flight between model helicopters and fixed wing model aircraft is the goal. Communicating intentions with other flyers is important for enhancing awareness and flying safety.
- Stationary hovering or prolonged hover taxiing is not permitted outside of the hover training area when other model aircraft are flying. If no other models are flying, hovering and hover taxiing is permitted beyond the centerline of the runway.
- Model helicopter “fly-bys” near the flight line are discouraged. Maintaining a flying track well beyond the flight line along the far side of the runway is strongly recommended.