Pilot Briefing

Dick Groth is the Contest Director.

The "Official AMA National Model Aircraft Safety Code" will be enforced at this event.  See http://www.modelaircraft.org/documents.aspx Document 105 for the latest copy of the Safety Code.

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.  Do not keep a frequency pin.  Allow all pilots on a frequency equal opportunity to fly.  Note: The 49 MHz and 27 MHz pins will be kept at a separate location near the pilot registration area at the North end of the field.

There is a 72 MHz frequency analyzer available to check for clear frequencies.  If you suspect an interference problem, please check with the Contest Director.  If a frequency pin is unavailable and you cannot find the pilot with the pin, check with the Contest Director.

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

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

If all flight stations are filled, pick any station and start the 6 minute countdown timer on that station.  When the countdown timer reaches zero, the active pilot must immediately land and relinquish that station to the next pilot.  If the active pilot lands before the countdown timer reaches zero, the next pilot takes over the flight station and any pilot waiting behind him can restart the countdown timer for 6 minutes.

Do not cross the Flight Safety Line 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 "racetrack" or circular flying patter is a counterclockwise or left-hand turn pattern.  Take-off toward the South end of the field.

• 3D aircraft should takeoff across the field to the East.

• Helicopters should liftoff and land in the designated helicopter area.

• Micro aircraft should takeoff downfield to the South.

• 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.

The Safety Officers will vigorously enforce over-flights of 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 becomes the property of the UNI Dome.  There are no provisions for the retrieval of aircraft stuck in inaccessible locations.  Contact the Contest Director for access to the North Mezzanine level.

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.  Others are waiting on you.  There is abundant free parking in the parking lot directly west of the UNI Dome.  When leaving the Loading Zone, turn Left at the first 4-way Stop intersection and follow the road to the parking lot.  Reenter the UNI Dome through the NW Entrance on the parking lot level.  (This is also the spectator's entrance.)

Prizes will be awarded for various fun-fly events and as door prizes.  Not all events may have a prize.  Prizes are based on the number of donated prizes available.  Prizes have been donated by Air Thunder, Ace, Hobbico, Hobby-Lobby, Horizon Hobby, Maxx Products and Thunder Power.  Pilots are eligible for only one prize during the weekend.  You may enter as many events as you want, but a only one prize will be awarded per pilot.  If you finish first in a later event, the prize will be awarded to the highest placing pilot who has not yet won a prize.

Please keep the UNI Dome as clean as possible.  Put trash in the proper receptacles and immediately clean up all spills.  The UNI Dome charge 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.  Bathrooms are on the Mezzanine level or on the floor level through the NE door.

Fly Safe and Have Fun!