RAMS FLYING RULES

                                                                                                             POSITION STATEMENT

 

THE RAMS ARE GUESTS AT THIS FIELD, AND FOLLOWING THE RULES IS WHAT KEEPS OUR FIELD OPEN.  FULL-SCALE AIRCRAFT AND PEDESTRIANS ALWAYS HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY.  IN ADDITION, WE WANT TO ENSURE SAFETY OF MEMBERS AND GUESTS, AND HELP TO AVOID LOSS OF AMA INSURANCE COVERAGE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.  WE NEED TO USE SOME BASIC COMMON SENSE AS WE ENJOY THE SPORT OF FLYING RADIO-CONTROLLED MODELS.

 

 AT ALL TIMES THE AMA SAFETY CODE IS TO BE ADHERED TO:

As an AMA member I agree:

• I will not fly a model aircraft in a careless or reckless manner.

• I will not interfere with and will yield the right of way to all human-carrying aircraft using AMA’s See and Avoid Guidance and a spotter when appropriate.

• I will not operate any model aircraft while I am under the influence of alcohol or any drug that could adversely affect my ability to safely control the model.

• I will avoid flying directly over unprotected people, moving vehicles, and occupied structures.

• I will maintain visual contact of an RC model aircraft without enhancement other than corrective lenses prescribed to me. When using an advanced flight system, such as an autopilot, or flying First-Person View (FPV), I will comply with AMA’s Advanced Flight System programming.

• I will only fly models weighing more than 55 pounds, including fuel, if certified through AMA’s Large Model Airplane Program.

• I will only fly a turbine-powered model aircraft in compliance with AMA’s Gas Turbine Program.

• I will not fly a powered model outdoors closer than 25 feet to any individual, except for myself or my helper(s) located at the flightline, unless I am taking off and landing, or as otherwise provided in AMA’s Competition Regulation.

• I will use an established safety line to separate all model aircraft operations from spectators and bystanders.

 

The RAMS Bylaws state that the first instance of rule violation may merit a verbal warning, the second instance a written warning, and that a third may result in expulsion from the RAMS.  Rule #1 and Rule #3 are of sufficient significance to permit expulsion on the first occurrence. 

 

                                                                                                    RAMS FIELD RULES

                                                                                                  Approved 5/26/2026

 

The two model flying areas at the Auburn Academy Airport are called Area A and Area B.  The Area A model runway is on the main airport runway, and Area B model flying area is the tall grass area east of the taxiway.  The Area B landing area is on the taxiway immediately adjacent to the tall grass.  These rules cover all types of radio-controlled flying objects, here called aircraft or models.

 

1. Model flying is allowed only from dawn to dusk and never on Saturdays. This must be strictly adhered to, no exceptions.

2. Full-scale aircraft and pedestrians always have the right-of-way.

3. No model flying shall take place if a full-scale aircraft is on the runway.

4. All model plane types allowed by AMA may be flown in Area A.  However, the field does not qualify for turbine-powered aircraft.

5. Area A model flying with a non-flying person is preferred.  The non-flying person is the Spotter and should be near enough to be heard by the RAMS flyer.  For a pilot to fly at the field alone, the pilot must monitor the radio, and wear a safety vest.

6. The Spotter notifies model pilots of full-scale traffic and of people or animals on the runway.  The Spotter must listen to a radio receiving 122.9 MHz, observe the airspace and notify all model fliers if a radio call from, or visual sighting of, a full-scale aircraft indicates entry or intention to enter the airspace. Upon notification of a full-scale plane, all model pilots must land their models immediately and clear the runway.

7. There only needs to be one spotter.  This person can be in a cage or on the taxiway at least 25 feet from the safety line, but near enough to be heard by model pilots.

8. Drones (multi-rotor aircraft) must be within the visual line of sight of the pilot or a visual observer who is physically next to and in direct communication with the pilot.  Pilots using FPV must maintain direct visual line of sight or have a visual observer who can see the drone.  Drone flying must be at or below 400 ft in uncontrolled airspace per FAA.

9. Drones may be flown in either Area A or Area B with the exception of high speed/racing drones allowed only in Area A.

10. Drones weighing more than 0.55 lbs (250 grams) must be registered through the FAA’s Drone Zone.

11. Clearly announce your intentions to other pilots of a model takeoff, missed approach, landing or to make a low pass.  A pilot, prior to moving a plane onto the runway or before walking on the runway for any reason, should announce to pilots with planes in the air, “OK to come out?”  Flying pilots should acknowledge this request. 

12. The last member to leave the field must ensure the gate and portapotty are locked, and the Rams radio returned to secure storage. 

13. To fly you must be a RAMS member or guest (no more than three visits).  You must be an AMA member to fly solo, except under tutelage by a RAMS member preferably on a “buddy box.”

14. Members are strongly encouraged to wear your AMA/Rams card on your person unless flying on 72 MHz when your card is on the frequency board.

15. Those flying on 72 MHz shall clip their card to the corresponding channel on the frequency board and not produce signals on that channel unless no other cards are on that channel.

16. All new, repaired or altered aircraft must be range checked.

17. Mufflers are required on all piston engines.  Noise levels per AMA regulations.

18. Smoking allowed anywhere as long as the smoke doesn’t bother other members.

19. Pets must be leashed and/or under member control.

20. Area A takeoffs and landings are to be made as nearly into the wind as possible, either East or West from the runway.  No north/south takeoffs or landings from the runway or the taxiway. 

21. Aircraft may only taxi north to the runway.  Aircraft may not taxi south from the runway; engines should be shut down after clearing the runway.

22. All model flight operations shall take place north of the center of the runway.  No intentional flying shall take place south of the center of the runway unless the model is past the tree line on the east side of Area B. 

23. The spectator line is located 25 feet from the pilot edge of the runway.  Spectators can be on the taxiway 25 feet from the pilot edge, in a cage with a pilot, at the pit tables or on the bleachers.

24. If there is only one pilot flying, the pilot must stay behind the pilot edge of the runway, but may be on the taxiway.  If more than one person is flying, the cages must be used.  For each model being flown there shall be no more than a pilot and two others in the cage.  This could include spectators as long as they are not a distraction to the pilot(s), or it could include one pilot student, one pilot instructor, and one Spotter.

25. Gasoline powered model airplanes over 20 cc in displacement shall not be flown after 7:00pm in order to control noise level and out of respect for local residents in proximity to our field.

26. As RAMS members are guests to the Academy Airfield, we must respect long-time traditions of the area and its residents with regard to walkers and their dogs on the runway. This is a trade-off for use of the field that we have agreed to. Therefore, members will submit to this inconvenience with grace and engage positively and politely with these people and their dogs, even when the dogs are unleashed.

27. Clean up your area; if you pack it in, pack it out.

 

ADDITIONAL RULES FOR AREA B MODEL FLYING

 

Area B model flying area is the tall grass area east of the taxiway, and the landing area is on the taxiway immediately adjacent to the tall grass. 

1. Only electrically powered models may be flown.

2. The airplane models must weigh less than two pounds.

3. Helicopter models must be no bigger than 450 class or 325 mm blade size.

4. Drones are allowed in Area B with the exception of high speed/racer drones.

5. No intentional flying shall take place beyond the boundaries of Area B (the sign indicating the gas pipeline to the north, the dirt road to the south, and the closest tree line to the east).  See the map on the bulletin board in the pits for clarification.