About the Association

The name of this association is the Antigua Aeromodelers Association and shall be referred to here after as A.A.A.  It is a private members-only association operated and governed by an Executive Council consisting of a President, a Secretary/Treasurer and an operations director.

Article 1 - Purpose

The purpose of this association is:

  1. To guide and direct modeling activities to the end that model aeronautics may be advanced in a manner that will best serve model aviation as a whole.
  2. To guide and direct the technical organization and conduct of national and international model events and/or contests.
  3. To create interest in model building.
  4. To promote model flying.

  5. To educate both new and seasoned flyers in the mechanics and aeronautics of flight, the skills of model building, and the electronics involved in RC operation.

  6. To sponsor model Fun Flies.
  7. To improve friendship.
  8. To exchange knowledge and ideas.
  9. To create and conduct indoor and outdoor activities.
  10. To have social activities to include families.  

Article 2 - Membership

Founding

Ordinary

Student

Article 3 - Resignation, Termination, Disciplinary Action, Expulsion And Reinstatement

  1. Any member in good standing may resign be giving notice in writing.
  2. If any member ceases to have the qualifications necessary for membership, his or her membership shall be thereby terminated subject to reinstatement upon restoration of eligibility.
  3. Any individual may be expelled or excluded from membership by a two thirds majority vote of the Executive.
  4. Disciplinary action shall be brought against any member who breaks the rules and regulations of the A.A.A.
  5. Such a member shall be liable to suspension or expulsion from the A.A.A.

Article 4 - Members Responsibilities

It is of the utmost importance that members observe first and foremost the safety rules of our particular sport.  Everyone of us is hurt when carelessness causes an accident, hindering model aviation progress.  The safety rules may be seen to be designed to obstruct the enjoyment of this sport, but some guidelines must be set if we are to prove ourselves the responsible people we proclaim to be.  Is is not a sign of intelligence or skill to be able to fly among or above spectators.  It shows a lack of common sense.  You may know what you are doing, but you have no way of knowing what someone else will do.  The unpredictable spectator must be allowed for when you fly.

Remember, the safety rules are there to protect you primarily.  It is to your personal benefit to make certain that no action on your part will result in an accident.  The temptation to show off your flying skills increases in direct proportion to the number of spectators.  While demonstrating your mastery of all the variables involved in the sport.  It does no good to scare anyone.

Article  5 - Dues

  1. The executive shall set dues for all types of membership, subject to membership approval and reviewed annually.
  2. Any member who fails to pay dues with fourteen (14) days after they are due and payable, shall be dropped from the membership roll.
  3. All annual fees are due on the first day of May each year.
  4. A member's dues must be currently paid in order to exercise the right to fly.

  5. Membership is accepted upon payment of dues.

    Club dues shall be as follows:

    A. Students (up to and including 17 years of age) $10.00 per month

    B. Open (Ages 18 to 65 years) $40.00 per month

    C. Senior (over 65 years of age) $15.00 per month 

  6. A one-time initiation fee of $50.00 shall be required of each new membership.

Article 6 - Club Meetings

1. Club meetings are to be held once a month.

2. Meetings will be held at a designated place.

3. Meetings will be held on the third (3rd) Monday of each month at 7:30 P.M.

4. Meetings shall be held in a formal business like manner, and should be as informative as possible.

5. Club business should prevail at all meetings. “Bull sessions”, “out of turn” and “off the subject”, etc., should follow the meetings and programs and not be part of them.

6. The majority of the club membership, in agreement, may call a special Club Meeting by advising the Board of Directors.

7. The Board of Directors may call a Special Club Meeting with prior notice to the members of the club.

8. The Secretary shall keep the “minutes” of every meeting.

9. The following business shall be executed at each business meeting:

A. Previous minutes reading and approval.

B. Additions and corrections.

C. Treasury report.

D. Additions and corrections

E. Any Chairman reports.

F. Old business.

G. New Business.

10. All voting issues subject to a membership vote must be passed by a simple majority of a “quorum”. A “quorum” shall be 30% of the active membership.

11. Additions or revisions of the by-laws are subject to a majority approval of the Board of Directors prior to being submitted to a membership vote.

12. Any five (5) members disagreeing with any action taken by the officers of the Club may, by petition, bring the matter before the Board of Directors for discussion.

13. Club operating expenses will be paid from the Treasury.

14. The president shall have the authority to spend up to $200.00 for unexpected costs, related to Club issues, without formal approval by the club members.  

Article 7 - Duties

1. The President shall preside over all meetings and conduct same in a responsible parliamentary manner. The president shall authorize and spend reasonable Club funds for the Club Raffle and Fun Fly prizes.

2. In absence of the President, the Vice President shall preside over the meeting.

3. In the absence of the President and Vice President, the senior member (longest membership in the Club) of the Board of Directors that is present shall preside over and conduct the business meeting.

4. The Secretary shall record the minutes of all meetings and submit them to the membership for approval at the following meeting. In the absence of the Secretary, the Vice President will be responsible for recording the meeting minutes. The Secretary shall be custodian of all records including the club roster and shall notify members of any special meetings and regular meetings.

5. The Treasurer shall collect all monies and keep a record of the same. He/she shall give a report at each meeting of all receipts and expenditures. He/she shall collect dues and maintain a bank account in the club name and arrange for transfer of same to the succeeding Treasurer.

6. The Editor shall be responsible for the creation and distribution of the newsletter.

7. All members shall be responsible for enforcing club and safety rules.  

Article 8 - Committee Responsibility

1. Program Committee is in charge of arranging for all:

A. Guest Speakers

B. Movies

C. Demonstrations

D. Discussion Panels

E. Etc...

2. The Fun Fly Committee is in charge of arranging for all:

A. Contests

B. Demonstrations

C. Participation with other clubs

D. Etc...

3. The Safety Committee shall be responsible for helping to enforce all Club safety regulations and periodic safety reminders at Club meetings.

4. The Refreshments Committee shall be responsible for providing normal refreshments for the Club Meetings. The costs will be reimbursed from the Club Treasury.

5. The Field Marshall shall be responsible for the overall maintenance of the flying field.

6. The Flying Proficiency Committee shall be responsible for maintaining a record of the members “proficiency” ratings. They shall oversee, appoint and regulate all Club Instructors. All changes in proficiency ratings will be subject to their approval. The content of the various Proficiency tests is their responsibility.

7. The Picnic Committee shall be responsible for the annual Club Picnic.

8. The Banquet Committee shall be responsible for the annual Club Banquet.

9. The Noise Control Committee shall be responsible for recommending noise level standards for the Club. The Committee shall provide periodic noise control recommendations at Club Meetings.

10. The Webmaster shall be responsible for maintaining the Club Website, conducting the Internet voting (in conjunction with and as outlined by the Board of Directors), and sending letters and notices to Club Members as necessary.

 

General Rules And Regulations

By the authority vested in the management of this association, the following rules and regulations and must be compiled with for the benefit of the members and the smooth running of the association.  Failure to comply with the rules and regulations herein will result in suspension of expulsion from the association.

  1. I will not fly my aircraft until it has been proven to be air worthy by having been physically examined and successfully flight tested by a designated pilot.
  2. I will not fly without the guidance of an instructor until I have passed the A.A.A. flight training programme.
  3. I will not willfully or deliberately fly my model in a careless reckless or dangerous manner such as buzzing, tailing or harassing any other aircraft, vehicle, animal or object in the air or on the ground.
  4. I will not fly my model higher than 500 feet above the ground and/or within 3 miles of an airport without first notifying the airport operators.  I will give right of way and avoid flying in the proximity of full-scale aircraft at all times.
  5. I will not fly over the pit or spectator areas.
  6. I will always perform a ground check of my model before flight.
  7. At our flying site, the field shall be divided by a single imaginary straight line.  One side shall be established for flying, the other for spectators.
  8. I will not operate models with metal-bladed propellers or extremely dangerous fuels such as Tetra-nitromethane, Hydrazine or other gaseous boosters.
  9. I will not operate models with Pyrotechnics (any device that explodes, burns or propels a projectile of any kind) including but not limited to Rockets, Explosive bombs dropped from models, Smoke bombs, all explosive gasses (such as Hydrogen filled balloons), ground mounted devices launching a projectile.  the only exceptions permitted are for Show Team demonstrations as approved by the Executive.
  10. I will not fly any experimental model (any unconventionally designed aircraft) whether piston, turbojet powered or rocket powered unless first having obtained a special waiver from the Executive and I will abide by any restrictions imposed on such flights by them.
  11. Only the Executive body or a member designated by the Executive will give FLIGHT AND GROUND INSTRUCTIONS at the AAA flying site.
  12. I will not verbally abuse the Executive, officials, members or the property of the Antigua Aeromodelers Association.
  13. All disputes between members shall be settled immediately by an executive member.  If it is not deemed possible, a meeting will be convened at the earliest possible date by the Executive between all parties concerned.
  14. All model engines will have a muffler attached and used for running.
  15. I will at all times wear and display the association's identification card while present at the flying site.
  16. Fee paid to the association are not refundable or transferable.
  17. Disqualification of a member can result from but not limited to the following infractions:

Rules And Regulations

Radio Control

  1. I will complete a successful radio equipment ground range check before the first flight of every day.
  2. I will complete a thorough check of any radio equipment and/or aircraft that has been involved in a crash or hard landing and prior to it's next flight.
  3. I will operate my models using only Radio Control frequencies currently allowed by the appropriate government body.
  4. I will place my transmitter upon arrival at the flying field, in the designated pound area.
  5. I will assemble and/or store my aircraft in the designated pit area.
  6. I will also repair, fuel, clean or check my aircraft in the designated pit area ONLY.
  7. I will not remove my transmitter from the pound area until I have obtained the frequency pin and replaced it with my association ID.
  8. I will start, taxi, fly and shut down my model from the designated flight stations on the flight line.
  9. The correct channel code of my R/C transmitter will be clearly displayed on my transmitter antenna at all times.

Control Line

  1. I will subject my complete control system (including safety thong, where applicable) to an inspection and pull test prior to flying.
  2. I will ensure that my flying area is safely clear of all utility wires and poles.
  3. I will ensure that my flying area is safely clear of all non-essential participants and spectators before starting my engine.

Safety Recommendations

  1. Never attempt to recover a model from power lines.  Contact the power company (A.P.U.A.) and ask for their assistance.
  2. Never use cracked, nicked, repaired or unbalanced propellers, fans or rotor blades.
  3. Stay clear of the propeller while starting or running any engine and exercise extreme caution while adjusting needle valve settings.  All adjustments must be made from behind the engine.
  4. Avoid stopping the engine by throwing rags, or other objects in the propeller.
  5. Refrain from using sharp spinners, propeller fasteners or knife-edge leading edges.
  6. All fuel will be stored in proper containers and used in accordance with manufacturers recommendations.
  7. No smoking or short malfunctioning electrical equipment will be allowed in the pit area.