NRMFC  2023 Float Fly Event Information ​


To download and print the Event Rules Package      
To download and print an Event Registration Form

NRMFC Flo​at Fly Event Rules- RPAS​

Administrative:
The Niagara Region Model Flying Club Water based Fun Fly
Location:  NRMFC Float Fly Site 952 Foss Rd., Fenwick, ON.
Dates: Saturday, July 15, 2023                Time: 8:00 – 16:00
            Saturday, August 19, 2023           Time: 8:00 – 16:00
            Saturday, September 9, 2023      Time: 8:00 – 16:00
​
Event Co-ordinators -Bill Michell MAAC # 6069
                                       Peter Graham MAAC # 80605

Basic Event Administrative Rules:
  1. All participants must be NRMFC members or invited guests.
  2. All participants must be MAAC members in good standing. All event participants shall have proof                M.A.A.C. memberships and a minimum CARS part 9 Basic RPAS certificate available when flying at            NRMFC sites. Members will be solely, and completely responsible about CAR licensing,                    maintenance and documentation, NRMFC accepts no liability, or responsibility.
  3. All participants must register and attend the morning pilot briefing. Any person arriving after the pilot briefing must meet with an event coordinator to receive a briefing before preparing to fly. All non MAAC guests shall be accompanied by a MAAC member.
  4. All members and guests shall familiarize themselves with, and shall abide by the club etiquette document which can be found at www.nrmfc.ca .
  5. NRMFC float fly events are open to current wings holders only. Those wishing to participate whose MAAC membership have lapsed for 1 or more years, must be checked out by an approved club instructor using the RPAS competency process as required by MAAC, prior to attending an event.
  6. Members shall at all times be familiar with and strictly adhere to the MAAC safety code, and CARS part 9 Regulations (Links found at www.maac.ca)
  7. Members shall at all times be familiar with and strictly adhere to the MAAC safety code, and CARS part 9 Regulations (Links found at www.maac.ca)
  8. Non participant guests should be kept to a minimum and limited to immediate family or friends of participating MAAC members. No “Walk in spectators will be permitted.
  9. Non MAAC guests are not permitted in the pit or pilot areas. 
    Pets are permitted, but must be leashed, any waste must be cleaned up and properly disposed of by the owner.
​In the event of an emergency, phone (911) and the civic address for first responder is 952 Foss Rd., Fenwick, ON.
If not immediately present, contact event coordinators Bill Michell 905-650-9981, Peter Graham 905-932-1653

Normal operating procedures and Event safety rules
Normal Club rules are available here: Float Flying - THE NIAGARA REGION MODEL FLYING CLUB INC. (nrmfc.ca)
All visiting RPAS pilots must read the normal club rules, in addition to the event rules.

Event Specific Safety Rules
The NRMFC Float fly site is only available during pre-planned club events. No other flying shall take place at the location without prior arrangement and property owner permission, obtained through the NRMFC contacts.
Mufflers shall be installed on all internal combustion engines over 0.052 cu. in.
NRMFC no longer supports the use of older base stations; members shall use 2.4 GHz or newer radios systems.
In consideration of our property owners and their neighbours, all participants shall refrain from running of internal combustion engines, or loud electrics before 9:00 am
This event allows the following modeling categories:  RPAS, (Fixed wing and Helicopter), surface vehicles (RC boats)
  1. RC boat operation will be permitted during the lunch break, only while no RPAS vehicles are active.
  2. A fire extinguisher must be present for all powered model operations.
RPAS Rules
These rules are available in print or online.  A copy of these rules must be available to any member who is operating an RPAS.  The club will endeavour to keep a copy at the flying site.
For members operating RPAS at this site: 
  1. No flying will commence before 8:00 (quiet electrics only) No internal combustion engines, or loud electrics to be operated before 9:00 am, and no flying will occur after 4:00 pm
  2. All pre-flight inspections or assembly shall be done in the pit areas, left and right of the sun shelters.
  3. Batteries shall not be connected to electric-powered models unless the model is restrained in the start-up area – no exceptions.
  4. Gas and glow models must be restrained and started in the pit area. Larger models may be restrained and started on the beach, after informing any flying pilots of the intention to start an engine. Do not conduct prolonged tuning if other pilots are flying.
  5. Our flying area is approximately 550m x 130m, the visual boundaries are from East to West, the west side of the main lake to the tree line to the west of the field and from North to South, the tree line to the south to approximately the abandoned Go Cart track to the north. The residential property to the north of the Go Cart track and the area west of the tree line are no-fly zones. The lake is 30m wide, the east most flight boundary on the west side of the lake will ensure that there is no flying within 30m of any non-MAAC person, property, or “thing” of value.
  6. No members shall taxi an RPAS aircraft in the pit area, or pits side of the “Pilot” line. Aircraft shall remain physically in control and/or restrained in these areas at all times.
  7. Take-offs and landings will be permitted along the centerline of the lake (See diagram below). Once an aircraft is airborne it must be moved into a circuit within the flying area boundaries described above. Upon landing the aircraft may be moved from the established circuit in order to land on the centerline of the lake.  This is required to meet MAAC set back distances from spectator areas.
  8. All members shall operate their RPAS within registered Fly/No Fly zones only. See diagram.
  9. Recovery of RPA that land/crash off the runway but in the flying area will be done in agreement with any pilots flying. Recovery will only be done by an event coordinator or delegate.
  10. Recovery of any RPA on the runway unable able to return to the pilot area under their own power will be done an event coordinator or delegate. Communication with any pilots of airborne RPA will be established, either directly buy the person making the recovery or a spotter prior to any recovery operation.
  11. Pilots may fly in formation, provided they agree to do so. Normally the limit of airborne RPA. Will be five.
  12. Visual observers and MAAC “spotters” are optional at this event. The following are club procedures for ensuring full-scale aviation safety:
    1. When any member or other person spots a full-scale airplane that might come near the site, they are to yell out “AIRPLANE” in a loud voice.
    2. ALL Pilots must immediately descend to as low an altitude as possible and then land as soon as safely able.
    3. When the full-scale airplane is no longer a threat, the person who gave the warning shall yell “ALL CLEAR”, or the pilots may make that determination themselves and resume flying.
  13. In the event of a “fly-away” towards Fenwick you may call Niagara Regional Police at (905) 735-7811 and advise them of the issue. In the event of a “fly-away” South west towards Niagara Central Airport you may call the airport manager (Bill Chernish at (905)-714-1000. Our site is in uncontrolled airspace, so there is no need to notify ATC.
  14. If there is any near miss or safety concern between a full-scale aircraft and our RPA, ALL FLYING SHALL cease immediately. The members involved should fill out a MAAC reportable occurrence report and submit that to the Event organizer/Club executive and follow MAAC policy with the following exceptions:
    1. If the member(s) involved believe the risk was very minimal, they may complete their own self-declaration or risk assessment using the MAAC form. Submit a copy of the form to the Event organizer/Club executive, and recall that you must keep this form for one year (CAR901.49 (2)). Resume flying when done.
    2. If the member or Event organizer deems the event serious, flying will not resume until members are given permission by the Event organizer/Club executive – in writing.
    3. If there is actual contact between an aircraft and a MAAC RPAS – all flying will cease until MAAC confirms we may resume operations.
    4. This process is for your protection.
  15. No RPA or other model aircraft flying will occur below the Event mandated weather minimum.  Participants may determine the weather themselves with direct observation or use any other source:
    1. If cloud is present below 1000’ above the model flying area;
    2. a horizontal visibility requirement of less than 3sm (5km) around the flying area and;
    3. If there are other obscuring conditions (fog, smoke, haze etc.) which could make spotting full-scale aircraft difficult.
    4. If you can see the windmills the north, you can fly.
  16. There are no other risk-mitigating strategies required at NRMFC Float Fly Event. The MAAC “see and avoid” technique has been determined to be adequate to ensure aviation safety.
The Event organizer/Club executive will review these rules at least once a year or before each submission.
CFS Entry
​Welland/Niagara Central Dorothy Rungeling airport is located 5.8NM Southwest of our flying site. The CFS entry for CNQ3 is below.