Rules, Field Etiquette & Special Provisions

AAM encourages Guests to enjoy the Airpark, whether invited by a Member or not.  Guests shall abide by all the same rules, regulations, and policies as any other person or Member. The following special provisions apply to Guests:

1. Before flying, Guest pilots should familiarize themselves with Field Etiquette and Personal Responsibilities, General Field Rules, AAM’s Fire Policy & Procedures, and any other “Special Rules and Regulations” for non-standard model aircraft.
2. Guest pilots must have a current AMA membership.
3. Guest pilots (invited or otherwise) should check in with any Member present, preferably at the time of arrival, but certainly before attempting flying. Guests may not be present or utilize the Airpark unless a Member is also present.
4. Guest pilots (invited or otherwise) are limited to approximately 4 visits per year.
5. Under certain circumstances, Guest pilots may be allowed to utilize the Airpark for extended periods, if visiting the area from out of town.  Any extended privileges for Guests should be approved by the Board of Directors.
6. AAM reserves the right to deny Guest privileges to any person, at any time.

1. Any use of AAM Airpark facilities is governed by the “Official AMA National Model Aircraft Safety Code”, see Document #105:  at www.modelaircraft.org.
2. A current AMA license is required by all persons (Members and Guests) in order to use any of the facilities at the AAM Airpark. AAM Membership is required for unrestricted use of the Airpark and Members shall wear their club identification badge at all times. Club and AMA dues must be current and up to date and properly documented on the club identification badge. Guests are required to check in with a club member before utilizing the facilities for any activities. Guests should also familiarize themselves with AAM Airpark Rules, and Fire Policies and Procedures, and AAM’s Guest policies.
3. Hours of Operation (when Recommended Sound Limits are observed):
   • East Field
     • All days (Electric):  7:00 am to sunset
     • All days (Glow, Gas & Turbine): 8:00 am to 1 hour before sunset
   • West & CL Fields
     • All days:  7 am to sunset
   • Night Flying
     • Night Flying is permitted. Please see “Special Rules and Procedures for Night Flying”.
   • If an aircraft does not meet the Recommended Sound Limits (see item 4 below), the hours of operation of that aircraft are restricted to begin 1 hour later in the morning than the beginning time specified above, end 1 hour earlier in the evening than the ending time specified above, and to include no Night Flying.
4. RECOMMENDED SOUND LIMITS FOR ENGINES AND MOTORS (APPLIES TO ALL MODEL AIRCRAFT): Reasonable and best efforts should be made to lessen or limit the sound generated by all model aircraft and cars. AAM reserves the right to measure the sound generated by any model aircraft or car and request Members and Guests to mitigate sound levels of models that exceed suggested limits:

• Suggested limit for internal combustion engines with displacement of 2 cubic inches or less:  97 dB (A Scale) at 3 meters.
• Suggested limit for internal combustion engines with displacement greater than 2 cubic inches:   98 dB (A Scale) at 25 feet.
• Suggested limit for all electric powered aircraft (including EDFs):  97 dB (A Scale) at 3 meters.
• Suggested limit for all turbine powered aircraft (any size):  100 dB (A Scale) at 25 feet.
• All fuel burning engines larger than ½ A should have a muffler or other sound reducing exhaust system.

5. All model aircraft, except control line aircraft, shall have the pilot’s AMA number, name, address, and phone number displayed inside the aircraft. Other identification, as required by the FAA, should also be displayed in, or on, the aircraft.
6. Transmitter frequencies and power output must conform with all applicable regulations of the FCC, and transmitters shall be used in accordance with AMA rules and recommendations. Each transmitter must be equipped with an accepted frequency identification tag, except 2.4 GHz transmitters. It is also good practice to have your name on your transmitter.
7. Use of 49, 50, 53, 72, and 75 MHz transmitters is permissible only at the EAST field. Persons utilizing those frequencies do so at their own risk and should take proper precautions to assure that there are no other users on their respective frequency.  A frequency board is available for such use.
8. It is recommended that all RC pilots use a second person as a spotter.  Spotters must stay with the pilot for whom they are spotting, and should have familiarity with the responsibilities of a spotter.
9. Engines are to be started, and motors armed, only in the designated starting areas. No engines are to be started, or motors armed, in the pit areas.
10. There shall be a maximum of six aircraft flying at one time. Use of pilot stations is strongly encouraged, but not required. Piloting from the taxi areas is not allowed.
11. Pilots shall not fly their planes while standing on the runway. Immediately after takeoff, pilots should retreat to a designated pilot station or behind the designated pilot station line. Keep runways and taxiways clear and do not make engine or other adjustments while on the runway.
12. All entries to the runway, takeoffs, landings, approaches, touch and goes, dead sticks, low fly-bys, etc. should be loudly announced to all pilots on the flight line and acknowledgement received before proceeding. Dead stick landings and emergencies have priority and must be declared immediately. Also announce when you must go onto, or cross, the runway to retrieve planes.
13. Active runway direction shall be determined by wind direction or its closest vectoring component. The first airborne turn is to be made away from the flight line to the North of the runway.
14. All flying shall be in a pattern away from spectators, cars, pits, roads, or buildings, and beyond the northern edge of the runways. Flight maneuvers directed toward the pits or spectator areas are strictly prohibited.
15. Duration of flights should be limited to a maximum of 15 minutes or less, if others are waiting to fly.
16. All engine break-in and test-running should be carried out in designated areas away from the pits, normal flight operations, and Spectator areas.
17. Airpark pilots and other users shall not discharge, spill or otherwise allow liquid fuel (of any type) to be released onto the ground (including dirt, concrete, geotextile, etc.) or other Airpark facilities/equipment. Pilots should use some method or device to capture liquid fuel such that it cannot contaminate the environment. Pilots and users are also responsible for removing all liquid fuel, spills, or other from the Airpark premises.

1. All general field rules are in effect and must be followed.
2. Helicopters using the EAST field runway must fly in the established traffic pattern.
3. Sustained hovering over the runway is not allowed when fixed-wing aircraft are flying.
4. The helicopter hover pads, at the WEST Field, are for hovering and slow maneuvering only. Helicopter pilots may stand to any side of these hover pads. Forward flight is not allowed in this area. A maximum altitude of 25 feet is allowed at these pads.

1. The control line circle field is for control line model aircraft only.
2. The black geotextile surface north of the parking area and west of the tables is the designated pit area.
3. No engine or motor running in the pit area, under the shelter, or on tables.
4. Engine running and break-in may be done in the designated area.
5. All control lines and handles must conform to AMA control line rules. Control handles must include a tether and must be attached to the pilot’s wrist during flight.
6. The pilot is responsible for pre-flight inspection of airplane, lines, handle, and appropriate pull test of lines (per AMA rules) prior to each flying session.
7. Aircraft should take off from rubber mats (either on the north or south side of circle) to reduce prop strikes on the geotextile surface.
8. When the motor is armed on an electric-powered airplane, it must be restrained or the pilot must hold the control handle.
9. Engines are to be started, and motors armed, only in the designated starting areas. No engines are to be started, or motors armed, in the pit areas.

1. Remote control land vehicles are to be driven in the designated area adjacent to the WEST field.
2. Only 2.4 GHz transmitters may be used for operation of RC ground vehicles.
3. All internal combustion engines must be muffled and comply with noise limitations that are in effect for the flying fields.

1. Do not operate model aircraft carrying pyrotechnic devices that explode or burn, or any device which propels a projectile or drops any object that creates a hazard to persons or property. Exceptions: Free Flight fuses or devices that burn producing smoke and are securely attached to the model aircraft during flight. Rocket motors (using solid propellant) up to a D-series size may be used provided they remain attached to the model during flight.
2. Model rockets may be flown in accordance with the National Model Rocketry Safety Code but may not be launched from model aircraft.
3. The use of model rockets is prohibited during fire bans, fire restrictions or red flag warnings as issued by any agency with jurisdictional authority.
4. Rockets may only be launched from areas where conflicts with aircraft will not occur and where it will not compromise the safety of other persons at the field. 
5. Group launch areas for model rockets shall be as specified by the AAM Events Coordinator for the date on which group rocket launch events are scheduled.

AAM offers free training to individuals who are interested in learning to fly radio-controlled (“RC”) model aircraft. The program and instruction are FREE and includes use of Club-owned airplanes and radios, if needed. However, the Club will also instruct with airplanes and radios provided by the Student. The program is tailored to each individual’s needs and goals and designed to be flexible to suit both Student and Instructor. The days and times for instruction are determined by each Student and Instructor.  For more information, visit our website at:

Pilot Training

1. Students, regardless of age, must have all the same credentials (i.e. AMA membership, etc.), and are subject to the same rules and procedures as non-student pilots.
2. Student pilots should only fly under the direct supervision of a designated Introductory Pilot Instructor (“IP Instructor”) or other qualified instructor. The IP Instructor must be a current AMA member with AMA “Intro Pilot” classification.
3. Students should always fly with an instructor until they have completed their training and have been approved by an IP Instructor for solo flight.

AAM has obtained permission from the City’s Manager of Urban and Park Design to allow nighttime operations. Per agreement with the City, nighttime operation must adhere to the following rules and procedures:

1. Only electric-powered aircraft will be permitted for nighttime operations.
2. Nighttime operations will not extend beyond midnight.
3. Each aircraft must be self-illuminated such that it will be clearly visible to the pilot.
4. No artificial light such as flood lights or spotlights shall be utilized.
5. The City’s Manager of Urban and Park Design shall be notified of all organized events when night flying may occur, at least 7 days in advance of such dates.

The 2 heli-pads at the WEST field, adjacent to the pits and south of the runway, have been designated for use as “Drone Maneuvering Areas”. Each drone maneuvering area is roughly 10,000 square feet (i.e. 100 feet x 100 feet). There are primary and secondary areas as follows (please also see map):

• Primary area:  WEST Field – East Heli-pad location, south of the main runway (this is the preferred drone maneuver area, first come first serve).
• Secondary area:  WEST Field – West Heli-pad location, south of the main runway, adjacent to the car track (Please note that this is an alternate location, and should NOT be used if the car track is already in use).

Operation and use of certain types and sizes of model aircraft have additional rules and programs and/or require special certifications or waivers as specified by AMA. AAM supports, endorses and requires the same rules, programs, certifications and waivers mandated by AMA for use of any non-standard model aircraft at the Airpark.  It is the responsibility of the individual user to know the respective rules and requirements for the specific model type, size or operating function of their model.

All AMA documents pertaining to special rules and programs for non-standard model aircraft may be found here:  https://www.modelaircraft.org/documents

Specific documentation for most non-standard models or programs are listed here:

Advanced Flight Systems Operations

540-F:  System Licensing Guidance for FPV Flight

550:  Uncrewed Aircraft Operations Utilizing First-Person View

551:  First Person View (FPV) Operations for Indoor

560:  Uncrewed Aircraft Operations Utilizing Advanced Flight Systems

590:  Federal Communications Commission Requirements for Model Aircraft Operations

Large Model Aircraft Program (over 55 pounds)

520-A:  Radio Control Large Model Airplane Program

520-B:  Large Model Airplane Inspector List (Members only)

520-C:  Large Model Airplane Permit Holders (Members only)

521-A:  Large Model Helicopter Program

521-B:  Large Model Helicopter Inspector List (Members only)

521-C:  Large Model Helicopter Permit Holders (Members only)

Turbines

510-A:  AMA Gas Turbine Program

510-B:  AMA Regulations for Assembly and Operations of a Kit Built Turbine Engine for RC and CL Models

510-C:  AMA Rules for Design, Construction, and Operation of a Non-Production Gas Turbine Engines for RC and CL Models

510-D:  AMA Fixed-Wing Turbine Waiver Qualification Guide and Waiver Application

510-F:  Rotary Wing – Turbine Waiver Application

510-I:  Control Line – Turbine Waiver Application

510-K:  AMA Accepted Designated Contest Directors for Rotary Turbine Sign-Off (Members only)

510-M:  AMA Turbine Waiver Holder Listing (Members only)

510-N:  Revoked AMA Special Waivers for Turbine Operation (Members only)

510-Q:  Safety Regulations for Radio Controlled Pulse Jet Engines

510-R:  Designated AMA Contest Director for Rotary Turbine Sign-Off Application

510-S:  AMA Gas Turbine Program (GTP) Turbine Waiver Qualification

511:  AMA RC Pulse Jet Engine Program

1. If a crash occurs (any type of model), everyone look for smoke. This is the responsibility of everyone present, not just the pilot who crashed.
2. If smoke is visible: (a) a member must be assigned to immediately call the Arvada Fire Department (AFD). In addition to the field address posted in the east field shed, we will post maps of the area so that whoever calls AFD can better describe the location of the fire for efficient access. (b) Everyone who is physically able to do so, regardless of which flying site they are currently using, should immediately scramble to fight the fire. If you’re flying, land your plane and go fight the fire.
3. AAM will provide club members (at least annually) basic training on proper fire-fighting techniques as well as proper use of the available equipment.
4. AAM will provide fire extinguishers and pay for maintenance to recharge/replace them. Members must contact the Safety Officer or other Board member if a fire extinguisher is used and needs service or maintenance.
5. AAM will enhance its firefighting capability by purchasing additional firefighting equipment and apparatus, which may include shovels, axes, blankets, “5-foot fire swatters,” and other durable tools, and installing one or more new gates in the fence to facilitate greater access to Pattridge Park.
6. Limits on flying:

• AAM will honor any type of fire restrictions or “red flag” warnings (open burning, fireworks, etc.)
• If a state/local/AFD fire ban or fire restriction is in effect or a “red flag” warning has been issued, members will not fly unless there is someone physically present with a working cell phone so that in the event of a fire, they can immediately notify AFD. If during a fire restriction or “red flag” warning, current wind conditions at the field exceed 25 mph steady or 30 mph gust within the previous hour, members will cease all flying.
• Notice of fire ban/restriction will be based on the latest available information posted at Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and National Weather Service respectively. Monthly updates of the status of any fire bans/restrictions will be published in the newsletter and on the club’s web site.
• AAM will attempt to schedule larger contests or invitational events (e.g., the annual Big Bird fly-in) with AFD.