Field Rules

1. All pilots must observe the AMA Safety Code and directions of the Field Marshalls.

2. No flying is permitted at Cactus Park on Red Flag Warning days.

3. Any pilot wishing to fly electric powered airplanes shall be a Weedwacker club member in good standing and will have attended a “Proper Electric Airplane Protocol” seminar to become a certified and safe electric airplane pilot. Guests may fly electric powered models under the direct supervision of a certified electric pilot.

4. In case of any fire event witnessed by a member at the Cactus Park site or surrounding area, the Lakeside fire department will be called upon immediately in order to respond. Call 911.

5. There must be an operating cell phone at Cactus Park whenever aircraft are being flown.

6. Running or flying engine-powered models is permitted from 9:00AM to sunset. Electrics and gliders are permitted from 7:00AM to sunset. Quiet helicopter flying is allowed in the vicinity of the runway from 8:00AM to 9:00AM. a. Turbine, pulse jet and rocket powered models are not permitted.

7. All model aircraft must meet AMA noise guidelines (96 dBA at 3 meters). Sound Limits – All model aircraft must measure less than or equal to 96 dBA at 3 meters (10 feet) taken as the highest of measurements measured from the front, rear and on each side of the model. Note: upon receiving a noise complaint from a non-member neighbor of the field, a field marshal or board member may ground an aircraft until measures have been taken to reduce the aircraft’s dba level. Any field marshal or board member may sign off on modifications and OK the aircraft for flight.

8. Flyers give way to vehicle traffic on runway.

9. Transmitters operating on 72 MHz must not be turned ON unless the pilot has the appropriate frequency clothespin on the transmitter. Pilots will place their current AMA card (or a copy) on the pin holder when using the pin. Channel numbers must be displayed on all transmitters. Pilots are considered financially responsible for damage caused by violating this rule. Pilots using 2.4 GHz are not required to utilize transmitter identification pins.

10. Pilots must stand behind the fence in one of five flight stations for takeoff, flight and landings (5 planes maximum at any time). Refer to Rule 13 below regarding Station “H” for helicopters.

11. Flying should be confined to the area over the middle of the river flood control channel to the North, bounded by the flag/plane marker to the East, entry gate to the west and the northern runway edge to the South.

• a. Other than landing or taking off, flying is prohibited south of the SAFETY LINE, situated 25 feet from the PILOT LINE. The red and white SAFETY LINE extends in both easterly and westerly directions in a straight line extending from the line painted on the paved portion of the runway.
• b. At the west end of the runway, the safety line breaks towards the south-west in an imaginary line that passes through the parking sign situated at the base of the upper-plateau access driveway. The boundary extends to the visible peak of the hill to the west as viewed from the flight stations.
• c. A pilot may be grounded at the discretion of a field marshal or board member for the remainder of the day if any of said pilot’s aircraft violate the eastern boundary more than once in a single day
• d. All aircraft will yield to aircraft landing and taking off. Pilots shall announce intentions to take off and/or land.

12. Pilots in stations 1-5 should normally fly in a right hand conventional oval traffic pattern when in the landing pattern and other planes are also flying (except for dead stick landings or when the wind is from the east). Aerobatic maneuvers and helicopter flight shall be performed north of the paved runway unless in a landing pattern.

13. Helicopter, Multirotor, FPV and Heli-Pad Rules – Station “H” Note Station H is primarily for testing and trimming of Heli and Multirotor aircraft or close-in flight that precludes the normal flight operations in stations 1-5.

• a. Helicopters and multi-rotor aircraft may fly at the heli-pad to the west of the pit area bounded by the westerly fence, and between the south edge of the runway paving and the orange safety cones. The pilot will stand on the side of the fence directly facing the heli-pad so as to keep the fence between the pilot and the pits.
• b. FPV flights must follow regulations of AMA Document 550. Most importantly, FPV flights require an FPV pilot to have a spotter next to him/her maintaining visual line-of-sight with the FPV aircraft throughout its flight.
• c. Helicopter/multirotor pilots flying from Station H shall remain aware of fixed wing aircraft and helicopters that are flying in the normal pattern from stations 1-5.
• d. Flights from Station H must remain within Heli Pad designated boundaries. Flights from station H’s Heli Pad may not enter into the regular flight pattern area.

14. No taxiing in the pit area, or behind the pilot line. Models shall be carried or hand guided for absolute control in these areas.

15. Model should be pointed such that prop blast with engine running will be directed away from other models or people.

16. Club members must wear Club ID Badge when flying at the field. Non-club members may fly at the field as a guest under the guidance of a badge-wearing club member. Guest may fly on three visits, after which they must join the club to continue flying at Cactus Park.

17. Inexperienced pilots should seek the help and be given help by experienced pilots or club instructors.

18. Parking is permitted in designated areas only; at least 15 feet clear of the pit area.

19. Gate must be locked except when Club Members are present. The last member out must lock the gate regardless of the time of day.

20. Smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited within the boundaries of Cactus Park in accordance with San Diego County Ordinance, 41.118 and 4.118.5.

21. Charging of Lithium Polymer (LiPo) batteries at Cactus Park shall be in accordance with the posted Weedwacker Lithium Polymer Battery Charging Protocol (and should be followed when charging batteries of any type).

22. Consumption of alcoholic beverages or use of illegal substances is prohibited at the flying field.

23. All dogs must be on a leash not exceeding six feet in length (San Diego County Ordinance, 41.123).

24. Radio control cars (and trucks) are permitted at the field under the following conditions:

• a. Members may operate R/C cars in the upper south parking lot (south of the berm) but must remain at least 30 feet clear of parked vehicles when operating (to preclude collisions or rocks from hitting cars). Should vehicles enter the southern parking area, R/C car operations must stop while the car is parking/moving.
• b. Cars may be operated on the runway when no aircraft are flying or on the runway. Cars must leave the runway when a pilot is ready to taxi out.
• c. At no time will radio control cars be driven in the pit area (between the pilot stations and the parking berm).
• d. Members’ children may operate R/C cars while under direct supervision

25. All flyers shall comply with FAA Unmanned Aircraft Systems Regulations and be registered as a Recreational Flyer within a Modeler Community-Based Organization2 a. Flyers shall present, upon request, their current sUAS Certificate of Registration issued by the FAA b. All models shall be marked or labeled with the flyer’s FAA sUAS registration number. c. Flight altitude shall be limited to 400 feet AGL.

Last updated: Feb., 2023: moved Station “H” to west end of pits.
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