We’ve been advised by the showground that the hall will be in use over the 30th May.

There will be no flying 30th May

We will be accepting membership subs via BACS through the normal admin address.

Please contact us (or email the chairman) if you need to refresh or create login detials.

Hope you’re all looking forward to getting back into the George Stephenson Exhibition Center next week and your aircraft are in fine fettle.

But here are a few notes before next Tuesday.

• Please bring the ‘exact fare’ of £7 – We don’t want to be handling the cash on the night.
• If you’re a member of the BMFA, please be ready to show your membership proof.
• Please bring for you own cleaning / sanitising products.
• Wear a face covering if that’s what you’re comfortable doing.
• Be mindful of social distancing – both your comfort zone and others in the hall.
• If you’ve not flown for a while, please remember to carry out all the usual safety checks and be cautious with your first flights.

We look forward to seeing you all and having a fun, safe and social return to indoor flying.

Taking to the air again !

It’s been a long time since we were able to get together as a club and do what we do, but we’re pleased to announce that we have programme of flying evenings booked for the Autumn.

Initially we will not be meeting every Tuesday as was the norm pre COVID, but two or three times per month. Dates are on the calendar at nifc.club. Check for any changes / cancellations before you travel (on the facebook group and here).

We will only be using the George Stephenson Exhibition Hall; this being the largest venue will give us not only the best flying, but a more comfortable environment and good outdoor space while the light and weather are favourable.

It will be great to gather together again, see old and new faces and get back in the air.
We will publish further details in the coming weeks before the first flying night of 21st September.

• 21st Sept 2021
• 28th Sept 2021
• 19th Oct 2021
• 26th Oct 2021
• 2nd Nov 2021
• 16th Nov 2021
• 23rd Nov 2021 – AGM meeting.
• 7th Dec 2021
• 14th Dec 2021
• 21st Dec 2021

Q(1) Who Regulates all civil flying activities over the United Kingdom, including model aircraft ?

• The Civil Aviation Authority

Q(2) How are the rules and regulations for flying established in law by Parliament (statute) ?

• As a series of Articles contained within in the Air Navigation Order (ANO).

Q(3) What does Article 240 of the ANO state, in relation to endangering an aircraft or any person in an aircraft?

• ‘A person must not recklessly or negligently act in a manner likely to endanger an aircraft, or any person in an aircraft.’

Q(4) What does Article 241 of the ANO state, in relation to endangering a person or property?

• ‘A person must not recklessly or negligently cause or permit an aircraft to endanger any person or property.’

Q(5) Who is legally responsible to ensure that a model is flown safely ?

• The remote pilot.

Q (6) Which Civil Aviation Publication (CAP) relates specifically to the use of model aircraft, and for which specific purposes only?

• CAP 658 (as amended by CAP 1763), for sport and recreation purposes only

Q(7) According to CAP 658 (as amended by CAP 1763), which model aircraft are required to have an operating failsafe and what is the minimum setting ?

1. Any aircraft >7kg.
2. Any Gas Turbine powered aircraft.
3. Any powered model aircraft fitted with a receiver capable of operating in failsafe mode.
4. As a minimum, reduce the engine(s) speed to idle on loss or corruption of signal.

Q(8) What does Article 94 of the ANO say about the responsibilities of the remote pilot of a small unmanned aircraft ?

1. The remote pilot of a small unmanned aircraft may only fly the aircraft if reasonably satisfied that the flight can safely be made.
2. The remote pilot must not fly a small unmanned aircraft within the flight restricted zone (FRZ) of a protected aerodrome unless permission has been obtained from aerodrome Air Traffic Control (ATC).

Q(9) What does Article 94 of the ANO say about visual contact with small unmanned aircraft ?

• The remote pilot must maintain direct, unaided visual contact with the aircraft sufficient to monitor its flight path in relation to other aircraft, persons, vehicles, vessels and structures for the purpose of avoiding collisions.

Q(10) What is the maximum legal operating height for a small unmanned aircraft, and what is required before you can exceed it?

1. 400 feet above the surface.
2. Within an FRZ, permission of the relevant ATC, or other relevant authority.
   Outside of an FRZ, permission is required from the CAA, either individually or via a published exemption.
   An agreed maximum altitude will be part of these permissions.

Q(11) What does Article 94 of the ANO say about ‘commercial operation’ for small unmanned aircraft?

• The operator of a small unmanned aircraft must not cause or permit a small unmanned aircraft to be flown for the purposes of commercial operations, and the remote pilot of a small unmanned aircraft must not it for the purposes of ‘commercial operation’ except in accordance with a permission granted by the CAA.

Q(12) How is a flight for the purpose of ‘commercial operation’ defined ?

• Any flight for which remuneration or ‘valuable consideration’ is given or promised in respect of the flight or the purpose of the flight.
  Essentially any gain you may make from the flight/operation undertaken. Achievement Scheme Handbook 22 2019 Issue 2 – May

Q(13) How is ‘a small unmanned surveillance aircraft’ defined ?

• An aircraft which is equipped to undertake any form of surveillance or data acquisition (this includes all camera equipped aircraft) .
  NOTE: The provision of data solely for the use of monitoring the model is not considered to be applicable to the meaning of ‘surveillance or data acquisition’.

Q(14) What are the separation requirements of Article 95 – for small unmanned surveillance aircraft – when operating over or within a congested area or organised open-air assembly of more than 1,000 persons ?

• The aircraft must not fly over or within 150 metres of a congested area or organised open-air assembly of more than 1,000 persons

Q(15) What are the separation requirements of Article 95 – for small unmanned surveillance aircraft – in respect of any vessel, vehicle or structure which is not under the control of the operator or remote pilot of the aircraft ?

• The aircraft must not fly within 50 metres of any vessel, vehicle or structure not under the control of the operator or remote pilot of the aircraft.

Q(16) Except during take-off and landing, what are the separation requirements of Article 95 – for small unmanned surveillance aircraft – excluding the remote pilot of the aircraft, or anyone under their control ?

• The small unmanned aircraft operator must not cause or permit an small unmanned surveillance aircraft to be flown in any of the circumstances described, and the remote pilot of a small unmanned surveillance aircraft must not fly the aircraft;

1. over or within 150 metres of any congested area;
2. over or within 150 metres of an organised open-air assembly of more than 1,000 persons;
3. within 50 metres of any vessel, vehicle or structure which is not under the control of the small unmanned aircraft operator or the remote pilot.
4. within 50 metres of any person.

Q(17) What must be obtained before any flight within the ‘flight restriction zone’ of a protected aerodrome for any aircraft?

• Obtain permission from the appropriate Air Traffic Control unit, or other relevant authority for the FRZ.

Q(18) CAA General Exemption E 4457 – permits FPV flight without a buddy box, but with a competent observer. How must the competent observer monitor the flight and (b) What is the maximum mass of aircraft that may be flown under this exemption?

1. The competent observer must maintain direct unaided visual contact with the model at all times and communicate with the remote pilot.
2. The aircraft must be below 3.5kg including batteries and fuel.

Q(19) Who has legal responsibility for the safety of an FPV flight a) conducted with a buddy box lead and b) conducted without a buddy box lead ?

1. The remote pilot (master Tx) who must maintain direct unaided visual contact with the model at all times.
2. The remote pilot, who must have a competent observer maintaining direct unaided visual contact with the model at all times.

Q(20) According to CAP 658 (as amended by CAP 1763) what are the 8 ‘Only fly if’ checks for an FPV flight of an aircraft over 3.5kg ?

1. The activity is solely for ‘sport and recreation’ purposes;
2. Two pilots take part;
3. A Buddy Box system is employed;
4. The remote pilot operates the master transmitter;
5. The remote pilot does not wear the headset or view a screen;
6. The aircraft remains within the natural unaided visual range of the remote pilot;
7. Reliable operation of the Buddy Box is established;
8. A clear handover protocol is established.

Achievement Scheme Handbook 23 2019 Issue 2 – May

Q(21) What is a Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ) and how would you find out if you were operating in the FRZ of a Protected Aerodrome?

1. An FRZ is a large circular area centred on the reference point of a protected aerodrome, with the addition of rectangular extensions from the end of the runways.
2. All FRZs are shown on a map on the CAA/NATS website at https://dronesafe.uk/restrictions

Q(22) What is a Protected Aerodrome?

1. An EASA certified aerodrome i.e. what would typically be called an airport.
2. A Government aerodrome i.e. a Military airfield.
3. A National licenced aerodrome i.e. most smaller ‘general aviation’ airfields.

Q(23) What is the definition of a model aircraft – legally a ‘small unmanned aircraft’?

• A small unmanned aircraft is any unmanned aircraft, other than a balloon or a kite, having a mass of not more than 20kg without fuel, but including any articles or equipment installed or attached to the aircraft at the commencement of the flight.

This article on the CAA website is worth a read.