SLOPE CODE OF PRACTICE
1. GENERAL
(a) The rules and recommendations contained in the latest issue of the BMFA Handbook shall be followed. Parts of this code of practice amplify some provisions of the handbook with particular reference to the Marquis Club slope site at Litton Cheney.
(b) There shall be no interference with farming activities. Members are to give way to farm vehicles at the site.
(c) Farm gates are to left open or closed as found.
(d) No litter is to be left behind.
(e) Cars are to be parked along the boundaries within the site if conditions permit.
(f) Any incident which could possibly impinge on the club's relationship with the site owner is to be reported to a club officer without delay.
2. NOISE
(a) No power models are to be flown at the site. Electric assisted soarers may be be flown with due respect for unpowered models.
(b) It is club policy to work towards adopting the D.o.E. recommended maximum limit of 82 dBA at 7 metres (See BMFA Handbook). The club owns a noise level meter and members are encouraged to check their models against it. It is incumbent upon members owning aircraft producing more than 82 dB to fly them in such a way as to minimise potential noise nuisance and to carry out modifications to reduce the level. (The quickest and easiest is to fit a larger prop, preferably of scimitar blade type (e.g. APC)).
3. SAFETY
(a) Note requirements of BMFA Handbook.
(b) Cars are to be parked on the site and along its boundary if the conditions permit. If cars have to be parked on the road they are not to obstruct other entrances, passing places, the road itself and in accordance with Highway Code.
(a) A no fly dead zone is to be observed which always encompasses the entrance gate, car park and pits area.
(b) A pits area is to be set up only along the slope according to wind conditions to allow room for the flightline.
(c) The flight line is to be situated directly in front of the pits area overlooking the slope. The distance of the flight line from the slope is variable due to wind conditions and must be agreed by all members at the site.
(d) Frequency discipline is to be rigidly followed and members must communicate their frequency with one another at the site before turning radio equipment on.
(e) Pilots should locate themselves adjacent to the pits area when flying.
(f) Pilots should establish an area to land models away from the flightline and pits area.
(g) Pilots must launch from the flightline and announce their intention to launch.
(h) Pilots must announce any attempt to land to the flightline.
(i) Mobile phones must be switched off in the pits area and on the flight line.
4. Flying at Other Sites
(a) Employ the safety notices in section 3 of this code of practice as best possible.
(b) Follow the rules and byelaws set out by the landowner or their representative.
(c) Communicate with other users of the site which includes, but is not inclusive of: aero modelers, hang gliders, parascenders and members of the general public.
(d) Pilots should employ a spotter if possible, especially if the site has a shared usage with hang gliders and parascenders.
5. Slope Soaring Sites:
(a) Litton Cheney
The Marquis club has permissable access to the Litton Cheney bowl which is south of the main Bridport-Dorchester road. The bowl is accessed by way of three gates. Access to the South-West and upper South East slopes for cars has been allowed by the farm manager. Cars are required to park by the hedge and if you are requested to remove the car by the farm manager or to stop flying, then the request should be complied with without argument. Please inform a club officer if this occurs, so that they can contact the farm manager to update the situation on permissable access
(b) Eggardon Hill (North slope). Although the top of Eggardon Hill is National Trust, the surrounding slopes are privately owned. The Marquis club has exclusive rights to fly the North slope by the local farmer who is a member of this club.
(c) Ringstead National Trust site for southerly wind NT byelaws apply on this slope (Occasionally at Ringstead, the Christchurch club will be present and then normal frequency rules apply) (Many other users including hang gliders)
(d) Maiden Castle North slope/north east facing slope.
(e) White Horse Hill South facing slope
6. Contacts
Chairman - Ian Reeve t 01305 260272 m 07796 950092
Secretary - Peter Brotherwood 01305 266233
Treasurer - Kevin Murray 01305 750166
Slope Site Representative - Terry Jolliffe
(a) The rules and recommendations contained in the latest issue of the BMFA Handbook shall be followed. Parts of this code of practice amplify some provisions of the handbook with particular reference to the Marquis Club slope site at Litton Cheney.
(b) There shall be no interference with farming activities. Members are to give way to farm vehicles at the site.
(c) Farm gates are to left open or closed as found.
(d) No litter is to be left behind.
(e) Cars are to be parked along the boundaries within the site if conditions permit.
(f) Any incident which could possibly impinge on the club's relationship with the site owner is to be reported to a club officer without delay.
2. NOISE
(a) No power models are to be flown at the site. Electric assisted soarers may be be flown with due respect for unpowered models.
(b) It is club policy to work towards adopting the D.o.E. recommended maximum limit of 82 dBA at 7 metres (See BMFA Handbook). The club owns a noise level meter and members are encouraged to check their models against it. It is incumbent upon members owning aircraft producing more than 82 dB to fly them in such a way as to minimise potential noise nuisance and to carry out modifications to reduce the level. (The quickest and easiest is to fit a larger prop, preferably of scimitar blade type (e.g. APC)).
3. SAFETY
(a) Note requirements of BMFA Handbook.
(b) Cars are to be parked on the site and along its boundary if the conditions permit. If cars have to be parked on the road they are not to obstruct other entrances, passing places, the road itself and in accordance with Highway Code.
(a) A no fly dead zone is to be observed which always encompasses the entrance gate, car park and pits area.
(b) A pits area is to be set up only along the slope according to wind conditions to allow room for the flightline.
(c) The flight line is to be situated directly in front of the pits area overlooking the slope. The distance of the flight line from the slope is variable due to wind conditions and must be agreed by all members at the site.
(d) Frequency discipline is to be rigidly followed and members must communicate their frequency with one another at the site before turning radio equipment on.
(e) Pilots should locate themselves adjacent to the pits area when flying.
(f) Pilots should establish an area to land models away from the flightline and pits area.
(g) Pilots must launch from the flightline and announce their intention to launch.
(h) Pilots must announce any attempt to land to the flightline.
(i) Mobile phones must be switched off in the pits area and on the flight line.
4. Flying at Other Sites
(a) Employ the safety notices in section 3 of this code of practice as best possible.
(b) Follow the rules and byelaws set out by the landowner or their representative.
(c) Communicate with other users of the site which includes, but is not inclusive of: aero modelers, hang gliders, parascenders and members of the general public.
(d) Pilots should employ a spotter if possible, especially if the site has a shared usage with hang gliders and parascenders.
5. Slope Soaring Sites:
(a) Litton Cheney
The Marquis club has permissable access to the Litton Cheney bowl which is south of the main Bridport-Dorchester road. The bowl is accessed by way of three gates. Access to the South-West and upper South East slopes for cars has been allowed by the farm manager. Cars are required to park by the hedge and if you are requested to remove the car by the farm manager or to stop flying, then the request should be complied with without argument. Please inform a club officer if this occurs, so that they can contact the farm manager to update the situation on permissable access
(b) Eggardon Hill (North slope). Although the top of Eggardon Hill is National Trust, the surrounding slopes are privately owned. The Marquis club has exclusive rights to fly the North slope by the local farmer who is a member of this club.
(c) Ringstead National Trust site for southerly wind NT byelaws apply on this slope (Occasionally at Ringstead, the Christchurch club will be present and then normal frequency rules apply) (Many other users including hang gliders)
(d) Maiden Castle North slope/north east facing slope.
(e) White Horse Hill South facing slope
6. Contacts
Chairman - Ian Reeve t 01305 260272 m 07796 950092
Secretary - Peter Brotherwood 01305 266233
Treasurer - Kevin Murray 01305 750166
Slope Site Representative - Terry Jolliffe