Field Closure on Total Fire Ban Days

The BMAC Crace Grasslands field is closed for the duration of all Total Fire Ban declarations within the ACT.   Strictly no entry for any reason.

(Note:  Total Fire Bans last for 24-hour periods and normally commence at midnight and finish at midnight.  Total Fire Bans can be extended or reduced at any time due to changing weather conditions.)

1:00 pm Field Closure During the ACT Bush Fire Season

The BMAC’s Crace Grasslands field is closed at 1:00 pm every afternoon until the end of the official ACT Fire Season on 31 March .

(Note: The ACT Bush Fire Season traditionally commences on 1 October and runs through to 31 March the following year unless weather conditions warrant a later start date or an extension.)

Access to the Field

Drive on the track at all times and keep your speed below 20 Kph . Access these guidelines and field layout as PDF

ACT Parks, Conservation & Lands wood heap site

Retrieval of models from the fenced ACT Government controlled wood heap site adjacent to the BMAC Field must only be undertaken by BMAC members adhering to these guidelines.

Noise

The BMAC Crace Grasslands field is noise sensitive and requires that ALL models are noise checked before flying them.  Noise testing gear is in the club house ask an experienced member for help. Fill in the noise test form and have it signed by a senior member. The required noise limit is 94db at 3 metres. You will find this is easily obtainable by most current IC motor and propellor combinations.

Safety in the Pits

First put frequency key in the keyboard. If there are other flyers on your frequency, identify them and make yourself known to them. Share the slot with consideration. Never remove another flyers key from the board, ask them politely if the slot is free and ask them to remove their key so you can fly.

Restrain your model before starting, use one of the concrete starting areas or other suitable restraint. Spend more that a few moments tuning your motor while in the pits use the run in area north of the club house.

NEVER taxi your model in the pits. ALWAYS carry or roll it into and out of the pits area.

Flight Line Etiquette

The secret to a harmonious flight line is  communicate with your fellow pilots. Before you or your craft crosses the flight line announce your intentions to all the other pilots. Observe circuit direction and also observe the wind sock as a guide. Avoid flying in the opposite direction to the rest of the aircraft in flight. This avoids potential incidents in flight. Call “OK to take Off “ then wait until you have received “OK” from all before proceeding. Remember the other pilots may not hear the first time as their full concentration may be sky wards. Don’t be impatient look around if all looks OK ask again. While flying always stand with in the pilot’s box. It is designed so that all pilots are close together so they can communicate while flying and as protection from stray planes.  When you need to land set up your approach and announce “Landing” wait for  the “OK”. if someone says “No” or “Dead stick”  fly clear of  the strip until the urgent  landing is complete.

Before venturing onto the strip to retrieve a model call “On the strip” and wait for the “OK” from all pilots. Retrieve your model and leave the strip as quickly practical, don’t look for lost wheels or broken parts. When you leave the strip announce “Clear” so the pilots know they can use the strip.

If for some reason you need to cross the strip then announce “Crossing the strip” and wait for the “OK” before proceeding.