The Cossato flying field

These regulations govern the model flying activities of the Associazione Aeromodellisti Biellesi and of the flying field located at Pobbia, Cossato.

Static and dynamic model flying activities are permitted at the flying field in the form of training sessions, meetings and fly-ins, and amateur sporting events. The activity is inspired by the fundamental principles of the sporting and Olympic movement and by the values of international aeronautical culture.

Every modeller conducts themselves according to the principles of individual responsibility, solidarity with the sporting community, the utmost protection of their own safety, the safety of third parties and of the surrounding environment, loyal cooperation with public institutions and sporting bodies, and compliance with the applicable European and national legislation.

Access to the facilities and services of the flying field is reserved for members who are up to date with payment of their membership fees. Access to the field is strictly forbidden to non-members, unless authorised by the operations manager or by a person designated by them.

Dynamic model flying activities are reserved for members who hold a valid insurance policy, hold an EASA UAS A1/A3 certificate and have applied to their UAS a proper QR code issued by the D-flight platform, identifying the UAS operator to whom the model belongs. Third parties who are not UAS operators or remote pilots are admitted with the authorisation of the operations manager or of the person delegated by them.

On entering the facility, guests are asked to read a copy of these regulations, posted in a suitably visible place at the facility, to follow the instructions of the operations manager or of the person delegated by them, and to remain in the protected areas, never entering the runway and/or interfering with activities on the ground and in the air. From the moment they enter the facility, every person loses the status of “person not involved in UAS operations” within the meaning of Article 2, paragraph 2, no. 18 of Regulation (EU) 947/2019.

Pets, if present, must be kept strictly on a lead.

The role of operations manager is established at the flying field; the operations manager oversees the dissemination and application of these regulations. The operations manager is not liable for any breach of these regulations or of the applicable European and national legislation. In the absence of the operations manager, the first UAS operator or remote pilot to enter the facility becomes the person responsible, until one of the people on the list arrives.

As shown on the attached map, the facility is divided into: 1) entrance and car park area; 2) segregated guest and refreshment area; 3) UAS assembly area; 4) engine starting area; 5) runway and take-off and landing area for fixed-wing and rotary-wing UAS; 6) pilot area.

All pre-flight, flight and post-flight operations must be carried out with the utmost safety for oneself and for others.

Areas 4 to 6 may be entered only by the UAS operator, the remote pilot and, when needed, one or more assistants where there are particular requirements, and by the operations manager or the person designated by them.

Before the flight, the operations manager checks the pilot’s mental and physical condition, the weather conditions and the air traffic conditions.

Before switching on the transmitter, the remote pilot makes sure that their frequency is not being used by other modellers present, except when using 2.4 GHz transmitters.

The remote pilot carries out a check before each launch and after landing, paying particular attention to the fastening of wings and control surfaces, engines and propellers, and to the operation of the control devices by cable or by radio, including checking that the movement of all moving parts corresponds to the transmitter controls, as well as the charge level of the batteries and the fuel level in the model, if any. If there is any doubt about the functioning of the UAS equipment, flying the vehicle is forbidden. Batteries must be in good condition and at a level of performance able to guarantee that all phases of the flight are carried out safely. The transmitter must have a low-voltage alarm system.

Model aircraft must be built to standards of efficiency and reliability that offer safety guarantees under normal conditions. In the case of test flights, everyone present must be warned, to ensure that operations are carried out with the utmost safety.

Engines may be started only in areas 4 and 5. Starting any engine with people in the immediate vicinity is strictly forbidden. To start aircraft with internal combustion engines, suitable starters should be used rather than starting by hand. Starting engines while others are flying is forbidden, unless they agree.

Take-off may take place only after checking that the runway is completely clear of people and obstacles. Leaving the runway after landing with engines running or propellers turning is strictly forbidden.

Flying over areas 1 to 3 is forbidden, as is flying over the farmhouse to the south-east of the runway, even though the ENAC regulations would allow it. In the event of accidentally leaving the flying area, the remote pilot lands and carries out a check with the operations manager or with the person delegated by them. The area of use of the UAS must under no circumstances exceed the authorised limits or, where applicable, those set out in the Letter of Operations signed with military or civil Authorities and stated in ENAC authorisation documents of whatever legal form.

Take-off and landing, whether by normal or emergency procedure, must always be announced aloud by the pilot and repeated by the assistant, if there is one. Before landing, the pilot makes sure that the runway is not occupied.

Flying is forbidden in adverse weather conditions that could compromise the ability to control the models.

As a general rule, only one model aircraft may be in the air at a time. The launch of a second model aircraft is authorised by whoever is already flying, unless the operations manager or the person delegated by them decides otherwise.

Multiple flights are allowed provided they are compatible with the safety of the pilots and of everyone present.

Anyone at the facility who spots air traffic that could interfere with flying activities informs the operations manager or the person delegated by them. In the event of a conflict, the remote pilot brings the UAS to a flight altitude that avoids any risk to ordinary aircraft and, if possible, brings the UAS back to the ground. All flying activities must be suspended until the risk conditions have ceased.

In flight, any form of showing off that puts people and property at risk is to be avoided in all areas of the field, including those used for flying.

Members who are aspiring modellers must be accompanied by an experienced member acting as tutor until, in the judgement of the operations manager or of the person delegated by them, they have reached an adequate level of autonomy and safety.

Until then, the aspiring modeller carries out flying sessions using the so-called “student–instructor” buddy box (trainer system).

The aspiring modeller informs the operations manager or the person delegated by them that they have completed adequate sessions on a PC simulator, in order to learn the basic manoeuvres and become familiar with the transmitter.

The board of the Association reserves the right to amend these regulations if it considers it necessary.

The President, Andrea Migliorini