MAAA Wingspan

WING SPAN MAY 06 07 MAAALogo. MAY WING SPAN The 30 metre rule explained… in simple terms Information for the 30m rule from CASR 101.395 (2): Somebody who is operating a powered model aircraft must ensure that, while the model aircraft is in flight, is landing or taking off, it stays at least 30 metres away from any person not directly associated with the operation of model aircraft: Application of the 30 metre rule: 1. 30 metres is measured (in every direction) from the point on the ground, directly below the model aircraft; 2. As there is a lateral component to the referenced ground point, it means that a person cannot be closer than 30 metres laterally to that point on the ground directly below the model aircraft; 3. “Person” referenced in 1-2 above is anyone not directly associated with the operation of model aircraft (being public or visitors to a Club); 4. The only persons that should be inside the 30 metres are MAAA members or visitors correctly signed in and under full supervision; 5. Note: Sub-regulation (2) is also not contravened if, as part of a model flying competition, a model aircraft is flown within 30 metres of somebody who is judging the competition for MAAA members. General misinterpretations of the regulations we hear around the Clubs: 1. The 30 metre rule is not measured directly from aircraft to person. 2. The 30 metre no fly zone with respects to a person is NOT a bubble or hemisphere. The misunderstanding of the rule arises from people reading the language used ‘in every direction’ and because the lateral component is not considered by people, it is often misinterpreted. 3. You can fly overhead of anyone in Australia with an unmanned aircraft, at heights of 30 metre and above. (In Australia you are prohibited from flying over the top of a person at any height with an unmanned aircraft). Figure 1: the 30 metre rule explained. The current spike in incidents reported to us highlights lapses in concentration, which have had devastating consequences and lead to significant permanent injuries. As our hobby requires the use of our hands to fly and consideration of ALL propellers/rotors represents a clear and present danger to your continued flying. As your MAAA Executive is focused on the future of our hobby, which includes our members’ safety, a rolling tally of incidents will be shared with members in an effort to remind us all of the dangers of being complacent or not thinking that it will happen to us. From the moment you arrive at the field for a fun and safe day of flying, remember: 1. Am I focused on aeromodelling safety; 2. Consider every propeller to be ARMED AND DANGEROUS; 3. Avoid being distracted while setting up or arming your model - Dangerous Distractions; 4. Pre-flight checks including your flight controls; 5. Test you kill switch and fail-safes are working (turn your TX off and observe the model while restrained); 6. Ask for or provide assistance during model starting to ensure securely restrained; 7. Don’t distract a fellowmember while concentrating on high-risk activities like starting models; 8. If you see a risk to a pilot speak up in an encouraging way to prevent a possible injury. The MAAA conducts thorough investigations of Incident Reporting in order to identify trends in accident or incidents. By not being complacent, openly reporting incidents and sharing the experience, and looking out for fellow members, we will continue to help make the sport safer for everyone, reducing the number of such events. Incident reporting can still be completed on-line Table 1: Incident totals 2017-2021 Table 2: Incident across disciplines SAFETY MATTERS: IT WON’T HAPPEN TO ME.... DON’T BECOME COMPLACIENT AS QUOTED FROM THE OWNER OF THESE FINGERS