Abilene Radio Control Society
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We at the Abilene R/C Society are dedicated to helping others pursue the hobby of Aeromodeling, and in that respect are willing to teach others our sport. In the past couple of years the number of new Aeromodeling enthusiasts has diminished greatly. Some believe that it is because of the internet, while others believe it is the cost of getting into the sport. We can't argue one way or the other for the internet, we believe it can coexist as a hobby or interest, but we can argue about the cost. One misconception that our club has come against in the search for new faces is that everyone thinks it is too expensive to get started. This is not true. In our club there is a network of people willing to help. No not with buying the supplies but in providing instruction, access to several different brands of buddy boxes, and help in locating new, or used equipment in the buyers price range. There are also club members who will help you build your plane/helicopter from the ground up. All you have to do is ask. This keeps the cost from being prohibiting to even the thriftiest people.  


Location

Abilene has a public flying field located about 3 miles north of town on property owned by the city parks division. Improvements and maintenance have been financed by, and in most cases performed by, club members. As flying fields go, it is one of the nicest public places to fly in West Texas.


Sea Bee Park Field Rules & Guidelines **

Abilene R/C Society

Sea Bee Park Field is provided by the City of Abilene as a safe location to enjoy flying Radio Controlled miniature aircraft. As such, each flyer will adhere to the AMA Safety Code, the following local rules/guidelines, along with the City of Abilene Parks Department rules. Exercising good common sense goes a long way.

GPS location:  Latitude  North 32.32.380 Longitude  West 99.42.930

      General Field Information:

Dial 911 for all emergencies from a cell phone. Nearest payphone is located at curb store at intersection of Interstate Highway 20 and FM 600.

Sea Bee Park is located three miles north of the intersection of Interstate Highway 20 and FM 600. 

Nearest hospital is Hendricks Hospital, 325-670-2000, located at 1900 Pine Street.   

Fire Department: 325-676-6676 (non emergency)      

This is a city park. No alcoholic use, or consumption, at any time, including prior to arrival at field. Refer to AMA Safety Code, General Rules 9 & 10. As of Jan 2, 2007, no tobacco smoking allowed in park per new city ordinance that went into effect.

      Club Field Rules:

1. All flyers/pilots must hold a valid AMA License. This is to help protect each pilots own financial liability.

2. Must read, and become familiar with, the Official Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) National Model Aircraft Safety Code.

3. Abilene Remote Control Society Club field rules/guidelines supplement the AMA Safety code and AMA Safety code takes precedent over club rules.

4. Either current club membership card, OR current AMA license card, allowed to be pinned to frequency board while flying. 

5. Compliance to these rules/guidelines is the responsibility of each participant. Failure to comply will result in the pilot being banned from the flying field.

      Safety Guidelines:

1. The best safety guidelines are the ones that are routinely demonstrated.

2. When piloting your aircraft and control is lost, pilot must immediately announce the loss of control, as loudly as possible, to the other pilots. Some example announcements are: I've lost it! Heads up It's crashing! I don't have it!, and others.

3. Transmitter can only be turned on when frequency board has been properly pinned. This includes the new spread spectrum radio systems.

4. Each transmitter should display frequency identification, i.e., channel number.

5. Deliberate flying behind double yellow flight line, towards pits, is prohibited.

6. Aircraft will fly only in the designated over fly area, east of double yellow flight line.

7. Flight operations are allowed from designated pilot stations only.

8. Flight operations NOT allowed while standing on taxiway, or while standing on edge of runway.

9. While conducting flight operations at a pilot station, always use a helper/spotter when two, or more, pilots have aircraft in the air, at same time.

10. ALL take offs and landings must be from the same end of the runway, relative to the general direction of the wind.

11. After take off, initial turn will be to the east, away from pit area. 

12. Flight operations will stop during electrical storms. 

13. When landing and returning back to the pit, taxing is NOT allowed west of red line on taxiway, in the aircraft pit area or under the shelter.

14. While in the aircraft pit area, at no time is a running engine to be pointed towards any person or towards the shelter. Aircraft should always be pointed towards the east, unless in the white boxes on the taxiway

15. Children not permitted east of fence and must stay on parking lot side of fence. This is for the children’s own safety.

16. Pets not permitted east of fence. City ordinance requires pets on a leash.

      Operational Guidelines:

1. Only current AMA licensed pilots, student pilots, and/or helper-spotter, allowed on the flight line at pilot stations.

2. No aircraft pitting directly under shelter. Shelter is for AMA pilots only.

3. Aircraft pitting area is the area directly in front of shelter.

4. Mufflers are required on all internal combustion engines.

5. If engines are to be tweaked/worked on, such engine activity is to be conducted in a safe manner. Aircraft is to be securely tethered.

6. Testing, or break-in, of engines is to be performed in a safe manner. Aircraft is to be securely tethered.

7. No engine operations permitted on parking lot side of fence. 

8. Once engine has been started, aircraft is to be under physical control of pilot/helper/spotter until east of red line on taxiway.

9. When taxiing in after landing, the red line on the taxiway is the engine stop/no taxi line. No exceptions.

10. All flying is to take place east of double yellow lines as indicated on taxiway.

11. Shelter is for AMA licensed pilots and is NOT to be used as an aircraft pit area. Shelter is not for spectators. Spectators are to remain on parking lot side of fence.

12. Pilots shall make appropriate loud verbal announcement for any emergency situation, or when taking off, or when landing. An example of an emergency situation would be when the pilot loses of control of the aircraft, at any time.

13. Pilot will loudly announce intentions to retrieve aircraft from active runway, or when crossing active runway.

14. When a dead stick aircraft has been declared, it has right-of-way over all others.

15. A landing aircraft has right-of-way over any aircraft taking off.

16. DO NOT FLY ALONE. Always have someone with you while flying. No first aid kit maintained at field.

17. Helicopter flying allowed in designated area, north of shelter and pits.

18. Generally, tables are for working on aircraft and not for the running of engines.

19. Tables under shelter, north of aircraft pit area, are primarily for helicopters and small electric aircraft. 

20. If high start lines are to used, they are to be setup in the area between the parking lot and FM 600.

21. Un-powered gliders can be flown in the area between field and highway, after properly pinning frequency board with current AMA license or current club membership card.