The Club operates a ‘Peg on the board’ system

Pegboard Procedure  

By Duncan Barker

(Or, how not to shoot each other down!)

All members should ensure that their peg(s) are clearly marked with their name and channel number. Recently there could have been a shooting down incident caused by 2 persons using the same channel, both using unmarked pegs. One peg already on the board was removed so that the second person could fly, after the owner could not be located and it was concluded that he had gone home leaving his peg behind. It was later found that the owner of the removed peg was still present. The second person had his flight without incident. It was pure luck that the first person did not switch on.

Also, It has been brought the editor’s attention that not all members remember to put an orange pendent and a frequency number tag on their transmitter. Don’t forget, both are actually required by the BMFA rulebook and are as important as proper use of the pegboard. The two are linked, check the peg, and then visually check the transmitters present before switching on! OF COURSE, ONCE YOU HAVE FINISHED FLYING, TAKE YOUR PEG OFF THE BOARD!

Pilots, Where to Stand and Transmitters.

At committee, the use of what is known as the “rear field” came up. Basically, although the 2001 rules may not reflect it, at the 2005 AGM we all voted for the confirmation of the rule, “All pilots to stand in the same place”.

As this was voted on, it is now in effect. Once the rules have been finalised that rule will be confirmed in writing. The implication is plain, all pilots must fly from the same field, pegboard and control point, that is the cone, which should be placed correctly according to wind direction. The committee discussed this carefully and agree that power and gliders can and should easily fly in the same field and in co-operation with each other. Especially now the hedge on the south of the circle has been trimmed so effectively the operation of the bungee in all wind directions should be easily achieved. We must all remember that only 6 pilots and their aircraft should be airborne at once, and all in easy hearing distance to each other so that the appropriate calls can be clearly heard. Thus if a glider pilot is about to launch he can inform the other pilots of his intentions, and that for those moments the power pilots should avoid the bungee, both on the upward climb and on the chute assisted decent. Also, discuss together the positioning of the bungee and that days best place to land. The committee believe the mown patch to be easily wide enough to have the line of landing for power and the bungee parallel, thus vastly reducing the chance of damage to the bungee.