TVSF Flying Fields

Operation of Bottom Feeding Ground(BFG) Flying Field

 Issue 04-December 2023

Only DLG, Bungee launch or electric launch thermal models to be flown

• Access is via Wellers Lane via a lockable gate. All members are issued with a key (it’s the same as before) to this gate and may access the field at any time. The gate MUST be left as found entering and leaving. Take care that our PADLOCK links the chain as SHOWN IN THE PHOTO BELOW.
• Park in the designated area.
• Do NOT drive on the field.
• Plan to always land back in the field.
• Observe the NO Fly Zone North over Syngenta research centre.
• Avoid flying over the ‘No Low Flying’ zone. Particularly the south end of the field. Equine hazard.
• No Low Flying is defined as being able to glide back to your feet whenever over the ‘No Low Flying’ area.
• If asked by anyone to stop flying or leave the field establish who they are. If they are part of  the Steve Thompson team, please be polite and do so. Then let a committee member know. If not part of the team, ask them to contact a committee member via the club website [tvsf.bmfa.club]
• The field will be cropped for Haylage when we will be asked to stay off. This could be for up to a week or so. Steve Thompson will advise us and we will let the club members know.

•   FLYING WHEN SHEEP ARE PRESENT

• We can fly on Bottom Feeding Ground (BFG) when sheep are present just encourage them to move  to the bottom of the field. 

• To navigate the electric fence, a length of pipe insulation is tucked away at the electric fence metal post near the gate. This can be put over the top wire for protection when stepping over the electric fence. Take care to not damage the wire. Please ensure the insulation is removed once flying has finished and put back behind the post. Feel free to provide further lengths if required, although one should be adequate.

• Top feeding ground is being harvested  and Steve Thompson said we can fly on this field if we wish. Not sure a stubble field appeals that much. However landing out in it is not an issue.

• With some care, 6 to 8 cars can park around the entrance and along the margin of top feeding ground. Once top feeding ground is harvested it may be possible to park along the East side of the hedgerow.

 

ISSUE 1 May 2024

Proposal for Model flying on Bottom Feeding Ground (BFG)

It has been nearly 2 years since we started flying on BFG. During that time we have established good relations with the farmer and the neighbours.

Having a flying field is a major asset for our club and the committee is determined not to do anything to jeopardise that.

However it is now proposed that, for a trial period, to expand the range of models which can be flown on BFG. Thus Sports models can be flown on BFG as long as they comply with the following rules listed in this document.

These rules have been formulated to give maximum distance separation for noise reasons, from our neighbours and to forestall any complaints that we are spying on them.

RULES for MODELS to be flown on BFG

Thermal Soaring Models

1. Rules for flying thermal soaring models previously established will still apply.
2. Sports models will not be permitted to fly during thermal soaring contests.
3. When Thermal Soaring models are being flown at the same time as Sports Flying models all pilots must launch from the Pilots Box (See Annex 1 below).

Sports Models

1. Models must be flown from the designated Pilots Box area.(See Annex 1 below).
2. No noisy models to be flown (See model noise approval process Annex 2).
3. Models must only be flown in the designated Sports Model flying area to a maximum height of 400ft (See Annex 1 below).
4. Models must be electric powered only.
5. Models must have a wingspan of less than 1.5metres - approximately 60inches.
6. No high speed models to be flown. e.g. F5b/Pylon racer type.
7. No helicopter or multi-rotors to be flown.
8. No models with cameras to be flown.
9. Ducted fan, pusher type models and any model slightly outside the dimension rules will have to be authorised by the committee to assess noise levels.
10. The committee expects every member to be responsible and not attempt to fly any models outside these rules.

 

 

Annex 1 Sports Models Flying Area.

The objective is to establish a flying area towards the centre of the fields which maximises the distance from our neighbours and meets Article 16 and Safety requirements.

The area for sports model flying is set by the position of the Pilots Box which is defined by the position of Point A(Gap in the hedge see photo below) and Point B(Start of trees alongside the car parking area).

From that start point the position of the other sides of the flying area are set by line of sight distances from other natural fixed points around the field.

From the Pilots Box the flying area to the left extends two thirds of the way across TFG towards Wellers Lane from the central hedge. To the right the Flying Box extends halfway to the BFG boundary from the central hedge. The depth of the flying area, extending forward from the Pilots Box, is halfway to the BFG boundary.

The layout of the Flying Area is shown in the diagram below and this gives a flying box of approximately 233m x 150m x 400feet.

 

Annex 2 Sports Model Noise Approval Process

In line with the BMFA advice in their document BMFA Noise Advice (which is available from the BMFA section in the LIBRARY on the The TVSF website) a more pragmatic approach will be used to access noise levels.

Members will initially be asked to attend a flying session at BFG to have the layout explained and will be encouraged to bring along models they plan to fly.

A member of the Committee, as per rule 9 above, will need to give individual approval at the flying field for any ducted fan, pusher, and exceptional models. The club will retain a list of all approved models.