W-2
Safety Do’s and Don’ts for Pilots
• Ensure that your batteries have been properly charged prior
to your initial flight.
• Keep track of the time the system is turned on so you will
know how long you can safely operate your system.
• Perform a ground range check prior to the initial flight
of the day. See the “Daily Flight Checks Section” for
information.
• Check all control surfaces prior to each takeoff.
• Do not fly your model near spectators, parking areas or any
other area that could result in injury to people or damage of
property.
• Do not fly during adverse weather conditions. Poor visibility
can cause disorientation and loss of control of your aircraft.
Strong winds can cause similar problems.
• Do not point the transmitter antenna directly toward the
model. The radiation pattern from the tip of the antenna is
inherently low.
• Do not take chances. If at any time during flight you
observe any erratic or abnormal operation, land immediately
and do not resume flight until the cause of the problem has
been ascertained and corrected. Safety can never be taken
lightly.
Federal Aviation Administration
Purpose
This advisory outlines safety standards for operations of
model aircraft. We encourage voluntary compliance with these
standards.
Background
Attention has been drawn to the increase in model aircraft
operation. There is a need for added caution when operating
free flight and radio controlled craft in order to avoid creating
a noise nuisance or a potential hazard to full-scale aircraft and
persons and/or property on the surface.
Operating Standards
Modelers generally are concerned with safety and exercise good
judgment when flying model aircraft. However, in the interest of
safer skies, we encourage operators of radio controlled and free
flight models to comply with the following standards:
a. Exercise vigilance in locating full-scale aircraft (get help if
possible) so as not to create a
collision hazard.
b. Select an operating site at sufficient distance from
populated areas so you do not create a noise problem or a
potential hazard.
c. Do not fly higher than 400 feet above the surface.
d. Always operate more than three miles from the boundary of
an airport unless you are given permission to be closer by
the appropriate air traffic control facility in the case of an
airport for which a control zone has been designated or by
the airport manager in the case of other airports.
e. Do not hesitate to ask for assistance in complying with
these guidelines at the airport traffic control tower or air
route traffic control center nearest the site of your proposed
operation.
Information Provided By
Director, Air Traffic Service Federal Aviation Administration,
Washington, D.C.
