Flying Tigers

AMA Charter # 812

Columbia, Missouri, USA

The Mid-Missouri Radio Association welcomes all responsible RC flyers who have current AMA Cards, paid annual dues, and agree to follow accepted guidelines. The following is presented to help make the RC experience safe, and by so doing, more fun for all. The guidelines are for safe operating practices and not just for the sake of regulation.

1. Flying Hours -- 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM

2. Have frequency pin before turning on transmitter, even if you are the only one flying. Someone else could come to the field while you are flying and use the same frequency. Special events like "fun flys" will have impound.

3. Pilots should fly from stations behind the protective fence on the west side of the runway. No flying to be done from the opposite side of the runway to avoid morning sun.

4. No flying over the pit or spectator area. No taxiing back into the pit area after flight.

5. No running engines on work tables.

6. Recommended: Start engines on pads at gates facing runway. If you need time and place to run in engines and are concerned about noise or distracting the pilot next to you, open spaces at the north and south ends of the protective fence are O.K. A work stand may be found in one of these areas. Good idea to be back at least 10 feet from line of fence.

7. Consider having a buddy hold our plane when starting the engine, especially the larger, more powerful ones. Also a spotter while flying can be helpful with telling where other aircraft are, helping with trims, etc.

8. When more than one plane is in the air at the same time, try to go with the general traffic pattern. You will still have much room for your own style of flying. Goining with the flow lessens stress for everybody and reduces chances for close calls.

9. No alcohol allowed anywhere on the premises.

10. When training or helping a person new to RC, help him with good practices and see that his craft is airworthy.

11. Have a good time at the field, and if you are the last to leave, please lock the gate.

Revised: August 15, 2006

I. Name & Location: The name of this organization shall be, Mid-Missouri Radio Control Association (MMRCA), and henceforth referred to as the "Club". Unless otherwise designated, Club flying activities will be at "Flying Tigers Airfield," located North-East of Columbia, Missouri.

II. Purpose: The purpose of this organization shall be to promote radio control model aircraft flying in the Mid-Missouri area for the enjoyment and recreation of its members. All assets shall be used to provide and maintain a flying site and to promote club activities. MMRCA shall operate within the limits outlined by the Academy of Aeronautics (AMA) and under its charter.

III. Memberships and Dues: All persons shall be eligible for membership, and shall agree to abide by the Club's bylaws, and those of the AMA. Membership and dues liabilities are for one (1) year from April 1st to March 31st. Annual dues shall be due and payable anytime after January 1, but before April 1st, or loss of privileges will occur. There shall be Regular, Non-Flying, and Associate Memberships as follows:

• Regular Membership, $50.00 annually. Full club privileges and voting rights. After the first year, may also hold an elected or appointed office. AMA membership is required. To insure that funds are available for flying field maintenance and improvement, a $35 yearly maintenance fee will be paid in addition to the regular membership fee.

• Non-Flying Membership, $50.00 annually. Full club privileges, voting rights, and may hold an elected or appointed office. Does not require AMA membership, but may not engage in any type of flying activity.

• Associate Membership, Paid participant in one club event annually. Right to fly three times annually during non-club-events, providing a Regular Member is present at the field. AMA membership is required. No other rights or privileges.

President: The duties of the president shall be to preside at all meetings, appoint special officers such as Safety Officer, be the spokesman for, and to conduct the business of the Club.

Vice President: The duties of the vice-president shall be to assist the president in his duties, to preside in his/her absence, and other duties as assigned by the president.

Secretary: The duties of the secretary shall be to keep a record of the business of all meetings and to have in his/her possession at all meetings a copy of these bylaws and any available minutes from previous meetings.

Treasurer: It shall be the duty of the treasurer to care for the money of the organization and to report to the organization at each meeting the income, expenditures, and cash on hand as of that date. The treasurer shall also maintain a roll of members.

V. Appointed Officers: The following officers are Appointed by the current standing president, will serve during that president's term, and report to the membership at regular or special meetings (or to the president directly, as appropriate):

Field Marshal: The Field Marshall shall be responsible for establishing "mowing crews" and is to ensure that the field is properly maintained and shall recommend improvement/changes.

Safety Officer: The Safety Officer is designated in charge of safety at the field. This officer shall coordinate efforts to improve safety. This includes maintaining and enforcing the club's field and safety rules. This designation does not release the general membership from their own personal responsibility for safety. Each member should insure that all club rules are followed by everyone at the field at all times.

VI. Board of Directors: The Board of Directors shall act on all matters of general policy. Other than disciplinary actions, the end result of most actions of the board will be to prepare a proposal for voting by the membership at a future regular or special meeting. This is especially true when full discussion of the matter at a regular meeting would be disruptive, never-ending, and/or non-productive. The board shall consist of all current elected and appointed officers, and all past presidents that are still members and wish to participate. The current president will be considered the Chairman of the Board and will preside at all board meetings.

VII. Meeting: The regular meetings are normally held the third Tuesday of every month. Special meetings may be called by the president or by a majority vote at any time. A quorum is reached when the greater of 10% of the current membership, or six current members, are in attendance.

VIII. Use of Club Logo: The official club logo is shown at right. This logo shall be used only in a manner consistent with the positive promotion of the club.

IX. Dissolution: The Club may be dissolved with the approval of a two-thirds majority vote of the total membership and a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors. All Club assets shall be sold and the money put into the treasury. All liabilities shall then be paid. Any remaining money shall then be donated to a non-profit organization as seen fit by the Board of Directors.

X. Resignation, Termination, Disciplinary Action, Expulsion, and Reinstatement of Membership:

• Any member in good standing may resign his/her membership by giving notice to any Club Officer.
• If any member ceases to have the qualification necessary for membership in the AMA, his/her membership in the Club shall thereby terminate, subject to reinstatement upon restoration of eligibility.
• Infractions of rules or hazardous flying will involve verbal warning from club members or Club Safety Officer.
• All members are obligated to adhere to and to help enforce safety rules.
• Any individual may be expelled from membership from the Club by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Board of Directors if, in the Board of Directors' determination, such individual willfully commits any act or omission which is a violation of any of the terms of these Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, or the Rules of the AMA, or which is detrimental the Club, the AMA, or to model aviation.
• Any member who is expelled from membership may be reinstated to membership only by two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Board of Directors.
• The Board of Directors shall have the discretionary authority to provide for and to impose disciplinary action for such acts or omissions, which do not justify expulsion from membership.
• The Board of Directors shall have the discretionary authority to take disciplinary action based on the seriousness of the violation.
• Any member receiving disciplinary action, including verbal warnings, who directs any retaliation action against any individual, or the club in general, will be subject to immediate expulsion from the Club. This is to include threats, intimidation, physical harm, intentional property damage, or any other action deemed to be retaliatory by the Board of Directors.
• Any infraction of a criminal nature (such as serious threats, assault, or intentional property damage) may be turned over to law enforcement officials.
• No refunds shall be issued following any termination or resignation.

XI. Grievance Procedure: If a member has a grievance against another member, they must fill out the Grievance Form (in the PDF version) of this document and submit it to a member of the Board of Directors for follow up, as provided for in Article X.

XII. Amendments: These bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting, if a quorum as defined in Article VII is present, only by a unanimous vote. If such a vote is not possible, the matter will be tabled for that meeting and written notification of the amendment shall be given to the membership at large via the next club newsletter. Once written notification has been made, a simple majority vote is all that is required. However, absentee ballots are allowed for members unable to attend the meeting.

New members will be required to fly a check flight to demonstrate their knowledge and ability to safely fly their aircraft before they are allowed to fly without an instructor. This check flight may be taken at anytime and given by any instructor or club officer and must be witnessed by another club member.

New members that have not learned how to fly must go through a Flight Training course provided by the club. The club has several instructors available for training and it is up to the new member to contact these instructors to set-up training dates and times.

New members that are veteran pilots will not be required to perform the check flight provided that at least 2 club members can attest to the pilot's knowledge and ability to fly safely.

The check flight will consist of a demonstration of the following requirements:

a) The member should demonstrate knowledge of field procedures by his actions, be able to safely start their engine, taxi out from the proper location, call out their intentions for both takeoff and landing, perform a satisfactory takeoff and get the plane safely in the air.

b) The member should demonstrate the ability to make directional turns at a constant altitude both to the left and to the right. A figure 8 may be used for this requirement but is not mandatory.

c) The member must demonstrate the ability to land their plane in an acceptable fashion with the emphasis more on positive control and safety at all times other than on the perfect landing.

d) The member should taxi his plane back to the proper place, and shut down the engine, receiver, and transmitter properly.

Upon completion of this check flight, if the member demonstrated the ability to perform the above requirements they have now earned solo status and are qualified to fly alone without an instructor present.

If the member did not demonstrate the ability to perform the above requirements they will be required to get or continue training with an instructor until such a time that the above requirements can be performed and the check flight passed.

If a new member cannot demonstrate their knowledge and ability to fly safely, and they refuse help or training their money will be refunded and their membership cancelled.