OZARK FLYERS CLUB INFORMATION

Welcome to the Ozark Flyers club and flying field. We are a diverse group dedicated to enjoying all aspects of building and flying model aircraft. Our club promotes the enjoyment of model aviation and the safety of pilots and spectators.

We are chartered club # 743 with the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), and require that all club members hold a current membership in that organization. AMA provides liability protection for its members, and promotes model aviation through a variety of educational programs and competitive events. We encourage you to visit the AMA web site (http://www.modelaircraft.org), or contact a club officer for AMA information. 

Our flying facility, Chenault Field, is maintained by the club on property owned, and provided for club use, by the City of Fayetteville. Club dues go primarily toward the mowing and maintenance of the field and are normally renewed in January. Dues are as follows: New member initiation fee $25.00; regular dues $48.00/year; junior member dues (18 years or under) $24.00/year. Re-joining after a lapse of 4 months constitutes new membership (initiation fee will apply); for new members, first year’s dues are prorated for months remaining in the year. 

Club meetings are held on the second Monday of each month at 6:30PM, at the field during warmer months, or a location posted there. Meetings provide an opportunity for members to discuss issues of common concern, and to schedule and plan flying events and social activities. Club officers (President, Vice President, and Secretary/Treasurer) are nominated each November and elected by members present at the December meeting.

We encourage all members to attend the meetings and to actively participate in club decisions. Certain club members have been willing to provide free pilot instruction through the use of trainer-cord technology. This allows student pilots the opportunity to gain experience gradually, without undue risk of personal injury or aircraft loss. Student pilots must be club and AMA members and provide their own aircraft, maintained in an airworthy condition. Arrangements for training sessions are the responsibility of the student. See “New Pilot’s Information” for more details. We welcome you to join us in this exciting and rewarding experience.

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OZARK FLYERS NEW PILOT’S INFORMATION

You are about to embark on a new and exciting adventure. Like most skills, piloting a model aircraft requires attention to fundamentals and practice. Before beginning, please read the following information, which will help get you started. STUDENT-INSTRUCTOR RELATIONSHIP: Once you have located an instructor who is willing to volunteer his time to your training, you should agree upon the schedule for your instruction sessions. This schedule can be flexible to suit both you and your instructor. It is your responsibility to call your instructor if you will be unable to attend a session. From time to time aircraft suffer damage (even total loss). Your instructor will do his best to prevent such an event.

As a student pilot, however, you must accept this risk, and are responsible for repairs. AIRCRAFT SET-UP: We recommend a trainer type, high wing aircraft for pilot instruction. Don’t come to the field with a sleek low wing war bird or aerobatic craft, expecting to use it as a trainer! Save that for after you learn the basics.

To learn to fly helicopters you need to come to the field to meet with a helicopter instructor.  There is no such thing as a trainer-helicopter.  Any model heli can be setup to act as a trainer, but helicopters are much more complex than a airplane and instruction in building the model is necessary for success.

Before your first flight, your instructor and/ or the safety officer will check the plane/heli over, inside and out, for any items that may cause problems during flight. Some of the items checked will be servo, engine and landing gear mounting, pushrods, clevises, hinges, radio installation, fuel tank and lines, and control surface movement. Your instructor will also check the CG (center of gravity) to ensure that the plane balances properly. Do not be disappointed, or surprised, if problems are identified that might delay your first training flight.

TRIMMING FLIGHT: The first flight of any new airplane is very demanding, and a responsibility that is not taken lightly. No one likes to crash an airplane, especially your flight instructor. The instructor will take off and trim your airplane for straight and level flight, and will fly the plane until satisfied that it is ready for training. If readjusting of the control surfaces, engine, etc. are required, the instructor will land the plane and you will assist in the adjustments. This process could take several flights. Your instructor will provide information about setting up your aircraft to achieve stable, reliable, and controllable flight. It is your responsibility to adjust and maintain your aircraft in good condition. After your plane is trimmed for training, any adjustments that you make must be reported to your flight instructor.

TRAINING FLIGHTS: Your instructor will have control of your training flights until you solo. After your plane has been test flown, and proven to be air worthy, a trainer box and cord will be plugged into your transmitter. You will hold the trainer box and your instructor will control the plane with the transmitter. After gaining altitude at least “three mistakes high”, your instructor will switch control to you. You will begin to understand how your plane responds to control inputs from you. Don’t expect too much from your first flight. It takes time to develop the skills necessary for radio controlled flight. You will start out slowly, gradually learning to pilot the plane through a series of exercises that will teach you the fundamentals, and finally you will solo.

SAFETY GUIDELINES AND FLIGHT LINE COURTESY: You will be asked to become Familiar with and follow the club safety guidelines, and to practice good flight line etiquette as part of your pilot instruction. This will enhance your enjoyment of flying.

OZARK FLYERS SAFETY GUIDELINES  AND

FLIGHT LINE COURTESY

Whether you are a seasoned pilot, or novice, please take a few minutes to read the following guidelines, which reflect our desire to have fun, while respecting the enjoyment and safety of others.

1. Transmitter Impound and Frequency Board: make it a habit. Place transmitters in impound at all times unless you are flying. Turn transmitter on only if you have carded out the proper frequency pin. Return pin to board and transmitter to impound when finished each flight.

2. Prop and Engine Safety: Props can kill. Stay out of prop arc, and keep others out of it. Start engines facing away from parking area. Restrain aircraft when starting: ask for help. Safety glasses are strongly encouraged.

3. Flight line Etiquette: let’s talk. Announce intentions before taxiing onto runway. Announce intentions before landing. Dead-sticks have landing priority: speak up if you’re dead. Stay off runway. If you must enter, say so. Remove plane from runway to re-start engine. Do not hand launch, take-off, fly over, taxi toward, or land in pit area. Do not fly over people: spectators or mowers. Flying Models safely and the consumption of alcohol NEVER go together!!!

4. General guidelines Only licensed pilots are permitted in pit area or on flight line.

All AMA flight rules and regulations are enforced. Maintain aircraft in airworthy condition and check frequently.

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CONSTITUTION OF OZARK FLYERS, INC.

ARTICLE I.   NAME OF ORGANIZATION

The name of this organization shall be OZARKS FLYERS, INC.

ARTICLE II.   PURPOSE

To teach individuals the art and skill of building and flying model aircraft. To advance the art of design, construction and flying of model aircraft. To bring together individuals of common interest. To gather and disseminate information on model aircraft construction and flying. To maintain a flying site. To bring together individuals with specific interests for the purpose of special meets and competitions.

ARTICLE III.   ACCEPTANCE OF PURPOSE AND COMPLIANCE WITH THE CLUB CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

A person applying for membership thereby accepts the principles of the OZARK FLYERS club as expressed in its purpose and submits himself to and agrees to comply with and be bound by the Constitution and By-laws of this Constitution alone, and is entitled to all the privileges of the organization. No member shall be absolved from observance of the Constitution and By-laws.

ARTICLE IV. BY-LAWS

The organization shall adopt By-laws that are consistent with the Constitution and embodying additional provisions for the government of the organization. By-laws may be adopted and/or amended as herein provided and will be attached to this Constitution as Inclusion 1.

ARTICLE V. AMENDMENTS

This Constitution and any supplements or attachments may be altered, amended, deleted, or replaced by the following provisions: The proposed change must be read at three (3) regular meetings prior to a vote. A quorum of eight (8) members must be present at each reading. A two-thirds majority is required to amend this Constitution or its attachments, when put to a vote at a regular meeting. A quorum of eight (8) members must be present. The Constitution and By-laws are to be reviewed at the October meeting each year. BY-LAWS (Inclusion 1)

BY-LAWS OF OZARK FLYERS, INC.  

ARTICLE I. MEMBERSHIP

There shall be three types of membership. Individual - Those nineteen (19) years and older on July 1. Junior - Those under the age of nineteen (19) years on July 1. Non-flying members - Those who do not fly model aircraft but assist others and may attend meetings

ARTICLE II. DURATION OF MEMBERSHIP

Membership shall be continuous during the existence of the organization unless as provided herein: Termination of membership will occur for non-payment of dues. If a member lets his dues lapse for four (4) months, his membership will be terminated. Reinstatement may take place by paying another initiation fee. Termination may take place if any safety rule is violated. This termination will require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the membership by secret ballot. No reinstatement fee will be required with a leave of absence approved by the membership.

ARTICLE III. DUES

An initiation fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) will be charged each new individual member, and twelve and one-half dollars ($12.50) each junior member, additional family member, or non-flying member. Individual membership shall be forty eight dollars ($48.00) per year. Junior membership, additional family members, and non-flying members shall be twenty four dollars ($24.00) per year. All members are required to be members in good standing of the AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics), and show proof upon request. 5. Dues are payable January 1 of each year. The treasury is authorized to receive contributions from individuals or institutions. These funds will be added to the club's general fund.

ARTICLE IV. ELECTED POSITIONS

1) There shall be three (3) elected positions: A) President B) Vice President C) Secretary-Treasurer. 2) Officers shall be elected at the December meeting each year. 3) At least one (1) month before election, the membership or election committee shall submit to the membership the names of nominees for each position. 4) These officers shall serve as the Board of Directors of Ozark Flyers, Inc., which will meet at least once per year.

ARTICLE V. DUTIES OF ELECTED OFFICERS

1. President A. Preside over meetings. B. Appoint committees and individuals to conduct the organization business, with club approval. 2. Vice President A. Preside over meetings in the absence of the President B. Serve as chairman of the "Calling Committee". 3. Secretary- Treasurer A. Collect dues B. Handle club finances and pay club bills. C. Handle all AMA business and correspondence. D. Record the minutes of all meetings.

ARTICLE VI. MEETINGS

1. Meetings will be held on the second Monday of each month, at 6:30 PM, except when the Monday is a holiday, or some act of God or hardship prevents meeting. In that case, the following Monday will be used. 2. The President has the authority to call additional meetings as necessary.

ARTICLE VIII. FLYING SITE RULES

The following rules are binding on all club members and guests using the flying site:

1. All persons using the flying site will have in their possession a current AMA membership card.

2. Guests of club members may use the flying site twice prior to joining the club.

3. No hunting or firearms are allowed on the flying site.

4. All persons with transmitters must place them in the impound rack, unless flying or maintaining an aircraft.

5. No transmitter will be turned ON unless there is a frequency pin attached to the instrument and the pin is replaced by the owner's AMA card on the frequency board.

6. No flying of aircraft over the spectator or parking areas.

7. All spectators will remain behind the roped area.

8. No starting or re-starting of engines on the runway except in special events.

9. All AMA safety rules will be followed.

Approved as an amended version of the club constitution by a unanimous vote of the members present at the club meeting September 2005, with Jerry Shrum presiding.