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We Take Safety Serious!
In this section, you will find many great tips for Air Boss's, Pilots, and Spotters that each event uses.
For AIR BOSS'S
Primary Job
The Air Boss is responsible for safe and efficient air and ground traffic. When the Air Boss works together with Pilots and Spotters it creates a unified safety team.
Provide pilots/spotters clear communication to safely Taxi, Take off, and Land. Verbally communicate approvals with station numbers. Example “Station 4 you are cleared for Take-off”
Optimize efficiency by safely ensuring aircraft timely clear the runway for the aircraft that are ready to taxi… once the runway is clear.
Determine when there is any kind of emergency and safely manage the situation.
Manage any pilot concerns by privately pulling a pilot aside and professionally speaking with them. Involve the CD for any escalation as needed.
Specific Scenarios
Engine Out - spotter will notify of a deadstick. Air Boss to command the flight pattern to “hold your position” and clear all ground traffic.
Emergency - If an aircraft is out of control/minimal control, has loss of signal, major mechanical issue, utilize the air horn and call out to hold your position and clear all ground traffic.
Wind Changes - Air Boss is responsible for determining the pattern. If the wind direction changes the Air Boss must make the decision to leave the pattern or change the pattern. If the pattern is full the recommendation is to leave it, hold take offs, and land all aircraft before changing pattern. If you only have minimal aircraft in the air, or the wind change is significant, you must pick a leader and have the others follow the leader to change the direction.... preferably a mid field cross. The Air Boss must coordinate this change to ensure everyone's safety.
Gaggles (when planes exceed the number of flight stations) - Gaggles are predetermined and approved by the Air Boss. If the number of aircraft are more than the number of current flight stations, Gaggles should be managed by the pilots in the Gaggle. Air Boss should stay involved to help communicate any safety information such as aircraft on the runway or any emergencies. Landings should be communicated by the pilots to other pilots.
Maiden or test Flights - If allowed by the CD (before or after event hours). As per the AMA rules all aircraft need to have successfully flown and performed any maneuvers safely prior to flying at an event. Any aircraft that has made changes to radio equipment, engine modifications or major repair needs to have successfully flown prior to flying at an event a minimum of 5 (or deemed appropriate by the CD) flights. This allows the pilot time to be successfully comfortable with the aircraft and creates a safe condition for you and your fellow pilots.
Pilot Struggling to land - If a pilot has made several attempts to land it may be necessary to hold that pilot and let others land. It will also give that pilot time to prepare his/her technique. Work with the spotter to have the pilot make a few more laps to let others land. Consideration should be given to have a more experienced pilot land the aircraft.
For Pilots
Basics
Considerations / Courtesy / Best Practices
Being courteous to your fellow pilots can go a long way to an enjoyable weekend. Some examples are suggested below which have been noted from previous events.
Examples:
- Tuning / repairing airplane at flight line
- Self awareness to those around you
- Cutting other aircraft off in the pattern
- Consideration to the speed envelope of aircraft flying with you
- Excessive Flight time
- Providing airspace for landing aircraft
- Blocking pilot’s view at the flight station
- Clean up your flightline equipment when flight complete
Flight Operations
Prior to going to the flight line
- Pilots and spotters will not be allowed on the flightline to fly, spot or observe if they have been using drugs or alcohol.
- As the "Pilot in Command", you are accepting responsibility for the aircraft, payload, and all events that occur during the course of the flight. You must always exercise sound judgment and decision-making, recognize and manage risks effectively, and maintain situational awareness.
- Per AMA guidelines, your aircraft MUST be airworthy. This means that it has successfully flown and has no mechanical concerns. If you have any doubts, do not fly or wait until after hours (as directed by your CD). All pilots should expect this behaviour of one another.
- The pilot must always put safety first. And, difficult choices must be made if fellow pilots and spectators are at risk. An example would be; directing an aircraft into the ground before putting others in harm's way.
- The pilot must understand the start-up and flightline procedures before going to the flight line. If unsure, spend some time watching fellow pilots navigate the process.
- Secure a spotter / helper prior to heading to the flight line. Be prepared and ready.
Spotters
- All pilots agree to have a spotter at all times. This person must be qualified to understand the significance of watching not only his pilot's aircraft, but providing air and ground traffic information to the pilot / flight boss.
- It is recommended that each pilot have one spotter to simplify or eliminate communication issues
Preparing to Take off
- Identify the flight station you wish to fly from and line up your aircraft in the specific lane (If applicable).
- When the aircraft that is currently flying from your selected station has declared landing (red paddle), follow the start up procedure as defined by the event. Your spotter / helper is responsible to hold the aircraft while you prepare for flight. Once again, be prepared!
- Once your engine is running/ motor armed, And, the flight station is cleared, you can make your way to the flight station.
- The pilot can now request permission to taxi and/or take the runway depending on the field. Example: “Station 3 request to taxi” Air Boss will confirm and give you your clearance. Examples could be: “Station 3 hold” or ”Station 3 cleared to taxi to Bravo” or “Station 3 cleared to take the runway and hold”.
- The pilot can then acknowledge the Air Boss command and communicate to the spotter / helper to release the aircraft. The spotter can then make his/ her way to the flight station to support the pilot. (Green paddle is used for takeoff).
- The Air Boss will clear you through each steps depending on traffic and the field layout
- Once in position and ready for take off your spotter should request take off if you have not already been cleared by the Air Boss. Example: “Station 3 request to take off”
- You may now take off
Pattern Basics
- The flight pattern is an oval shaped racetrack as determined by the wind direction / Air Boss.
- Make sure your up and down wind passes are consistent with the oval racetrack pattern. Proper traffic separation is critical to avoid mid-air contact.
- All aircraft maneuvers (roll, etc) should be executed with caution to traffic both in front and behind. If multiple aircraft are flying at the same time, the maneuver should not include reversing direction into the other aircraft.
- If only one (or possibly two/three) aircraft are in the air, you are permitted to fly additional scale maneuvers that may be more vertically specific such as loops, stall turns, etc.. Again, refer to your flight boss’ control of the airspace.
- Droppable ordinance should be discussed with the Air Boss before jettison. The concern is whether the ordinance would be a significant obstruction to ground operations.
- Low passes should be done at centerline or out and the runway should be clear.
Preparing to land
- The red paddle is used to declare your intention to land. The flight boss will survey the air/ground space and grant clearance when OK.
- Note: Gear Pass notification not required unless expected (requested) by the Air Boss
Ground Operations
- Once landed, the expectation is an expedited removal of the aircraft from the field. Please clear the field and shut down your engine immediately.
- Back taxi is at the discretion of the Air Boss. If not granted, clear the field at the downwind side of the field.
- If your engine stops on the field, wait for instructions from the Air Boss before retrieving the aircraft.
- Any dropped ordinance should be picked up at the discretion of the Air Boss.
Specific Scenarios
Engine Out - spotter will notify of a deadstick. Air Boss to command the flight pattern to “hold your position” and clear all ground traffic.
Emergency - If an aircraft is out of control/minimal control, has loss of signal, major mechanical issue, utilize the air horn and call out to hold your position and clear all ground traffic.
Wind Changes - Air Boss is responsible for determining the pattern. If the wind direction changes the Air Boss must make the decision to leave the pattern or change the pattern. If the pattern is full the recommendation is to leave it, hold take offs, and land all aircraft before changing pattern. If you only have minimal aircraft in the air, or the wind change is significant, you must pick a leader and have the others follow the leader to change the direction,... preferably a mid field cross. The Air Boss must coordinate this change to ensure everyone's safety.
Gaggles (when planes exceed the number of flight stations) - Gaggles are predetermined and approved by the Air Boss. If the number of aircraft are more than the number of current flight stations, Gaggles should be managed by the pilots in the Gaggle. Air Boss should stay involved to help communicate any safety information such as aircraft on the runway or any emergencies. Landings should be communicated by the pilots to other pilots.
Maiden or test Flights - If allowed by the CD (before or after event hours). As per the AMA rules all aircraft need to have successfully flown and performed any maneuvers safely prior to flying at an event. Any aircraft that has made changes to radio equipment, engine modifications or major repair needs to have successfully flown prior to flying at an event a minimum of 5 (or deemed appropriate by the CD) flights. This allows the pilot time to be successfully comfortable with the aircraft and creates a safe condition for you and your fellow pilots.
For Spotters
Responsibilities
The spotter must maintain situational awareness of the environment and listen to the Air Boss
for critical announcements such as a “dead stick” landing. Obviously the spotter must be aware of people and aircraft on the runway.
A pilot's spotter must proactively be engaged to ensure the safe operation of the model. The
spotter must actively scan the predicted flight path to prevent a collision with another model,
personal property on the ground or another person.
A Spotter is the pilot assistant and communication link from the pilot to the Air Boss. The pilot and spotter must communicate with the Air Boss by using the station number as reference to the aircraft. For example, station number three ready to taxi, etc.
A Spotter is the assistant and the communication link to the pilot for any communion with the Air Boss
A Spotter is required to manage the take off and landing paddles. Green paddle is to be used for take off and Red paddle is for landing
A Spotter should not have any distractions such as phones, cameras, eating, or side conversations with other pilots and/or spotters
A Spotter or helper designated by pilot is required to hold the aircraft until deemed safe to release for taxi
Pilots and spotters will not be allowed on the flightline to fly, spot or observe if they have been
using drugs or alcohol.
If spotting for a gaggle the spotter's job is more critical with the increased traffic. It is especially critical during landing to ensure the runway is clear. And to work with the pilot to exit the runway as soon as possible.