Pilot Briefing

From: E/xpo Contest Director

To:  All Pilots and assistants

The "Official AMA National Model Aircraft Safety Code" for 2011 & 2012 will be enforced at this event.

All fixed wing aircraft must have a flying weight of less than 25 ounces (700 gm).  Combat and Pylon Race aircraft must be less than 20 ounces (570 gm).  Helicopters must have a 355 mm or smaller main rotor blade length measured from a blade attachment screw to the tip of the blade.

2.4 GHz spread spectrum radios do not need a frequency pin.

Pilots using the 72 MHz, 53 MHz, 50 MHz, 49 MHz or 27 MHz radio frequencies must checkout a frequency pin before turning on their transmitter.  Leave your AMA card in the slot behind the frequency pin when you checkout a pin.   Frequency pins are to be returned as soon as a flight is completed, so that other pilots may fly.  Pilots flying on these frequencies are reminded to stand at least 10' apart while flying to avoid intermodal frequency interference.

There is a 72 MHz frequency analyzer available to check for clear frequencies.  There's a unidentified interference problem on channel 58.  If you suspect an interference problem, notify the Contest Director.  If a frequency pin is unavailable and you cannot find the pilot with the pin, check with the Contest Director.

Tables are not provided but pilots are permitted a table on the floor of the UNI Dome, so bring your own table.  Please limit your table space to one 96" x 30" banquet table (or equivalent) per registered pilot.  Tables must be aligned perpendicular to the wall.  This Pit layout will allow for space for pilots to walk between tables and access the tables closest to the wall.

120 Volt AC outlets are available from drop cords along the wall.  If you have a high power demand, connect directly to one of the 20 or 30 Amp outlets on the electrical panel box in the middle of the pit area.

All Pilots must stand in one of the "Pilot Stations" when flying.

Do not cross the Flight Safety Line (marked by the orange disks) onto the field of flight except to retrieve downed aircraft.  Always announce your intention to go onto the field before crossing the flight line.

Fly your aircraft in it's designated area.

• The North end of the flight line is for free-flight and micro flyers.

• The "racetrack" or circular flying patter is a counterclockwise or left-hand turn pattern.  Take-off toward the South end of the field.

• All aircraft must takeoff parallel to or in a direction that takes the aircraft away from the Flight Safety Line.

• Helicopters and 3D flying areas have a "box" in front of each Pilot Station.  Close-in flying is only allowed in the box in front of your Pilot Station.  Do not fly through the close-in flying areas of other pilots.

• Helicopters should liftoff and land in the "box" in front of their flight station.

• The term "takeoff" applies to both hand-launch and ROG (roll-on-ground) takeoffs.

• The Contest Director may change the size or location of the respective areas during the day to fit the needs of all the pilots present.

• "Hover" flight stations are provided for helicopter pilots to do trim flights.  This areas are for trimming only.  Maximum flying height is 8 feet.

The Safety Officers will enforce over-flights of R/C aircraft over the Flight Safety Line.  Pilots flying on the spectator side of the Flight Safety Line will be asked to land immediately.  Repeated or willful violation of the Flight Safety Line will result in revocation of flying privileges for the weekend.   If you have difficulty keeping your aircraft in front of the Flight Safety Line, ask for help.  There are many skilled pilots who are willing to help other pilots trim-out an aircraft or learn to safely fly in a restricted airspace.

The area near the Video Screen on the Southeast wall is a No Fly Zone.  Anyone flying in this area will be asked to land immediately.  A second violation of the No Fly Zone will result in your flying privileges being revoked for the weekend.

Buddy boxes are allowed, but the primary pilot is responsible for safe operation of the aircraft and compliance with the Safety Code at all times.

The Contest Director and Safety Officers are the final authorities on unsafe operation.  Any activity deemed to be unsafe by the Contest Director or Safety Officers is prohibited.

The UNI Dome has a very high ceiling.  Aircraft that land or become stuck in a location that cannot be reached from the main floor, stands or mezzanines become the property of the UNI Dome.  There are no provisions for the retrieval of aircraft stuck in inaccessible locations.

Make sure your vehicle is parked in a marked parking space.  Vehicles not properly parked will be ticketed and towed by the University Police.  Do not park vehicles in the Loading Zone outside the garage door at the North end of the field.  This area is for loading and unloading only.  Move your vehicle out of this area as soon as you have loaded or unloaded.

Free parking is available in the West and North Parking Lots.  The North Parking Lot is available at all times.  The West Parking Lot is available except when there's a basketball game.  No game is scheduled during this year's event.

The spectator entrance is the "NW Entrance" to the UNI Dome, across the road from the West Parking Lot.  Pilots may use the NW Entrance after unloading and parking.  Parking in the loop in front of the NW Entrance is short term parking and drop-off only.  The North Parking Lot is further from NW Entrance than the West Lot and is shared parking with UNI students.

Handicap parking is in the front row of the West Parking Lot.  Handicap access to the UNI Dome floor is through the "NW Entrance", then follow the mezzanine walkway to the north end of the UNI Dome to the elevator.  The elevator provides full handicap access to the UNI Dome floor.

Drawings for prizes will be held and winners posted at 2 PM each day.  Winners must claim their prizes before 4:30 PM on the day of the drawing.

Please keep the UNI Dome as clean as possible.  Put trash in the proper receptacles and immediately clean up all spills.  The UNI Dome charges the Black Hawk R/C Pilots a facility clean-up fee after the event.  Keeping the facility as clean as possible will minimize the clean-up fee and will help make it possible to hold this event again next year.

The ATM Machine is located on the South Mezzanine below the Video Screen.

Two single-stall restrooms are in the Northeast corner of the UNI Dome floor.  Large restrooms are located on the Mezzanine level.

Fly Safe and Have Fun!