General Section 32
Aviation Regulations
1. Purpose
This advisory outlines safety standards for operations of
model aircraft. We encourage voluntary compliance
with these standards.
2. Background
Attention has been drawn to the increase in model
aircraft operation. There is a need for added caution
when operating free flight and radio controlled craft in
order to avoid creating a noise nuisance or a potential
hazard to full-scale aircraft and persons and/or property
on the surface.
3. Operating Standards
Modelers generally are concerned with safety and
exercise good judgment when flying model aircraft.
However, in the interest of safer skies, we encourage
operators of radio controlled and free flight models to
comply with the following standards:
a. Exercise vigilance in locating full-scale aircraft (get
help if possible) so as not to create a collision hazard.
b. Select an operating site at sufficient distance from
populated areas so you do not create a noise problem
or a potential hazard.
c. Do not fly higher than 300 feet above the surface.
d. Always operate more than three kilometers from the
boundary of an airport unless you are given permission
to be closer by the appropriate air traffic control facility
in the case of an airport for which a control zone has
been designated or by the airport manager in the case
of other airports.
e. Do not hesitate to ask for assistance in complying
with these guidelines at the airport traffic control tower
or air route traffic control center nearest the site of your
proposed operation.
More information is available from:
www.maaa.asn.au
Daily Flight Checks
1. Check the battery voltage on both the transmitter and
the receiver battery packs. Do not fly below 9.0V on the
transmitter or below 4.7V on the receiver. To do so can
crash your aircraft.
Note: When you check these batteries, ensure that
you have the polarities correct on your expanded
scale voltmeter.
2. Check all hardware (linkages, screws, nuts, and
bolts) prior to each day’s flight. Be sure that binding
does not occur and that all parts are is properly
secured.
3. Ensure that all surfaces are moving in the proper
manner.
4. Perform a ground range check before each day’s
flying session. The range check should be as follows:
• Do not extend the transmitter antenna at this time.
Turn the transmitter “on.”
• Turn the model “on.”
• Slowly walk away from the model while moving the
control surfaces. The aircraft should function
properly at a distance of 60–75 feet.
• For PCM Only: With the throttle fail safe preset to
idle, bring the throttle slightly above idle. Walk
away until the throttle drops to idle. This will be
the distance of the range check.
5. Prior to starting your aircraft, turn off your transmitter,
then turn it back on. Do this each time you start your
aircraft. If any critical switches are on without your
knowledge, the transmitter alarm will warn you at this
time.
6. Check that all trim levers are in the proper location.
7. All servo pigtails and switch harness plugs should be
secured in the receiver. Make sure that the switch
harness moves freely in both directions.
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