552-FPV-Racing-Safety-Regulations.pdf - Google Drive

Document #552 FPV RACING COMPETITIONS Check www.modelaircraft.org for updates

Unmanned Aircraft Competitions Utilizing First‐Person View ( FPV Racing • Drone Racing • Multirotor Racing) 1. GENERAL 1.1. FPV operations, requirements and limitations. 1.2. Aircraft Specs 1.3. Precompetition Safety Requirements. 1.3.1. Safety Declaration and Event Participation List (FORM 10B) 1.3.2. Waiver of Liability 1.3.3. Preflight Inspection and Competition Airworthiness (Form MGP10A) 1.3.4. Pilot Credentials (FCC, AMA) 1.3.5. Venue Safety Guidelines 1.3.5.1 Flight Envelope 1.3.5.2 Course Safety Guidelines 1.3.5.2 First Aid 1.3.5.3 Fire Hazards 1.3.5.3 Considerations for Heat 1.4. Participant Guidelines 1.5. Officials 1.5.1. Spotter 1.5.2. Course Safety Officers 1.5.3. Technical Inspector / Chief Safety Officer 1.5.4. Race Director 1.5.5. Contest Director 1.5.6. Absolute Authority of the Race Director/Contest Director

2016 FPV Racing Rules & Regulations Note these rules are subject to change

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Unmanned Aircraft Competitions Utilizing First‐Person View (FPV Racing • Drone Racing • Multirotor Racing)

1. GENERAL Purpose: This document outlines safety regulations that govern FPV Racing (aka Drone Racing, Multirotor Racing) to ensure participants enjoy fair competition in a safe environment.

1.1. FPV operations, requirements and limitations.

Please see AMA document #550 for general requirements and limitations of FPV operation.

1.2. Aircraft Specs 1.2.1. Frame Specifications 3s Spec: Maximum 305mm Farthest distance diagonal between motors Maximum Weight 800g AUW (all up weight) 4s Spec: Maximum 305mm Farthest distance diagonal between motors Maximum Weight 800g AUW (all up weight) 1.2.2. Propellor Specifications 3s Spec: Maximum 6” 4s Spec: Maximum 6” 1.2.3. Motor Specifications 3s Spec: Electric Motor Only 4s Spec: Electric Motor Only 1.2.4. Battery Specifications 3s Spec: 3 cell lipo battery 4s Spec: 4 cell lipo battery


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1.3. Pre‐competition Safety Requirements. 1.3.1. Safety Declaration and Event Participation List ( FORM 10B ) Each participant must sign the AMA Flight Safety Declaration. Each participant attests to the fact that he/she has the appropriate experience to participate in the event, or will be assisted by an experienced participant during any and all flights in which he/she may participate. All model aircraft (including control systems, if applicable), used in the event have previously been successfully testflown and are therefore qualified to be flown in the presence of fellow participants, event officials, and all others who may be in the flight area during the event period. In addition, for sanctioned competition events, the participant also attests that he/she and any and all model aircraft have previously successfully completed a flight, including, if applicable, all manoeuvres intended or anticipated prior to the specific competition event, or any demonstration flights that may be within the competition event designated time period. 1.3.2. Waiver of Liability ( AMA Document #323 ) Each participant may be required to sign a Waiver of Liability that indemnifies the CD, RD, the organization running the event, AMA members, nonmembers, the Site owner and/or any other site owner involved in the event and the Academy of Model Aeronautics. 1.3.3. Preflight Inspection and Competition Airworthiness ( Form MGP10A ) Each participant must have their aircraft inspected for airworthiness. Technical Inspectors / Safety officers will use FORM MGP10A to ensure materials and workmanship shall be of satisfactory standards. The CD or RD may disqualify any aircraft which, in his or her opinion, is not safe and airworthy in terms of materials, workmanship, radio installation, radio function, design details or evidence of damage. 1.3.4. Pilot Credentials (FAA, AMA) Participants may be asked to provide their AMA Member number if the event is held on an AMA Flying Field. Pilots are not required to provide FCC registration number, but certain event organizers may request it. Therefore, it is strongly urged that each pilot register their aircraft in compliance with FAA regulations.


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1.3.5. Venue Safety Guidelines Safety must be the number one priority when holding an FPV racing event. 1.3.5.1 Flight Envelope A. Maximum Height (AGL) Pilots may not exceed 400ft during competition. Please refer to AMA Document #550 for further clarification. B. Maximum Speed Aircraft may not exceed 100mph during competition. C. Course SetBack Distances Course must use the approved setback distances that ensure safety of participants: ● The minimum distance from the flight line to Pilot and Spotter Area will be (50) ft (see diagram 1) ● The minimum distance from the flight line to Paddock (Pits) will be (50) ft (see diagram 1) ● The minimum distance from the flight line to Spectators is (75) ft. (see diagram 1)


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1.3.5.2 Course Safety Guidelines A. B. C. D. E.

Pilots and Spotters must have unobstructed view of the entire race course. Appropriate setback distances must be adhered to as shown in diagram 1. Pilot and Spotter Areas must be protected with netting. It is highly recommended that human traffic be properly cordoned off. Appropriate safety warning signage must be used to define the flight line, the race course and to prohibit participants or spectators from entering the course. Examples:

1.3.5.2 First Aid A First Aid kit is required at FPV racing events. The first aid kit should be brightly colored and kept in a highly visible area that is easily accessible to all pilots and spectators.At a minimum, the following supplies should be included in the kit: ● Sanitary and absorbent cloths to apply pressure to a wound ● BandAids ● Butterfly wound closures ● Antibacterial cream ● Gauze ● Medical tape ● Scissors In addition, it is a best practice to know where the nearest hospital is in relation to your venue and how to travel there quickly in the case of an emergency. 1.3.5.3 Fire Hazards A fire extinguisher should also to be kept in an easily accessible and visible area. Shorts within the electronics or punctures to a Lipo battery can cause the aircraft and surrounding foliage to smolder or catch fire.All pilots and spectators should be made aware of the firstaid kit and fire extinguisher’s location before flying occurs. 2016 FPV Racing Rules & Regulations Note these rules are subject to change

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1.3.5.3 Considerations for Heat Chilled water and shade should also be supplied to avoid dehydration or heat stroke during the summer months.

1.4. Participant Guidelines 1.4.1. Guidelines for Everyone A. Listen and follow ALL instructions from the Race Director or their designees. B. NEVER walk onto the course while multirotors are flying. C. The course’s flight line defines where the pilot or spectator area ends and the course begins. D. It should be well marked and highly visible. This flight line is not to be crossed. E. When you retrieve a multirotor after a completed race, ensure you power it down immediately to clear the video channel and to avoid unintentional spooling of the motors and subsequent injury. F. Know the location of first aid kit. 1.4.2. Pilot Guidelines A. Fly only in designated areas. B. Fly only at appropriate times. C. Keep your multirotor at least (30) feet away from the pilot area. Flying any closer can cause your video transmitter to interfere with other pilot’s reception. D. When finishing a race, land in the designated landing area on the course (at least 30 feet away from the pilot area) E. When flying on the course, you must be positioned within the designated Pilot Area. DO NOT fly from any other area. F. Only power up your multirotor/video transmitter while in the Start/Finish area on the course. G. DO NOT power up in the pits or while walking from the pits to the course H. If you need to check your video channel or change frequency, this MUST be completed between heats. I. You MUST also ensure you have the appropriate Frequency Card for the frequency you wish to check. J. If you are flying before or after the event you MUST ensure you have the appropriate Frequency Card for the frequency you are using. K. You MUST ensure you have a Spotter in the Pilot Area while flying. A Spotter observes the course for dangers such as members of public, animals, other model fliers, low flying aircraft or vehicles. L. Spotters stand in the Pilot Area to ensure clear communication. M. You should help with spotting for the heat before yours. 1.4.3. Spectator Etiquette


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The event is fun to watch and discuss. However, please stay away from the pilots within the Pilot Area while they are flying (unless you are acting as a spotter). Clear communication is essential with the pilots for accurate lap scoring, penalties and hazard warnings.

1.5. Officials 1.5.1. Spotter Every pilot must have an FPV Spotter/Observer as outlined in AMA Document #550 Duties include: ● Keeping visual contact at all times of their assigned pilot. ● Notifying Race Director and Pilots of an unsafe situations. 1.5.2. Course Safety Officers Additional Safety Officers may be stationed around the perimeter to keep spectators away from the race course and provide additional line of sight spotting of downed aircraft. 1.5.3. Technical Inspector / Chief Safety Officer The Chief Safety Officer is responsible for preflight inspection of aircraft for competition worthiness and appropriate participant credentials such as but not limited to AMA membership and FCC licenses. See sec. 1.3.3. For additional details on aircraft airworthiness. 1.5.4. Race Director The Race Director has the final word in all conflict resolution or disputes. The Race Director is also responsible for the safe operation of the event. Additionally, the race director often performs many of the following tasks that can also be delegated: ● Timing & Scoring (software and results) ● Safety Officer ● Announcer ● Tech Inspector ● Asset Manager 1.5.5. Contest Director In the event the competition is a sanctioned AMA competition, it must be administered by an AMA approved Contest Director. Please see www.modelaircraft.org for more information on becoming a contest director.


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1.5.6. Absolute Authority of the Race Director/Contest Director During a racing event, an unforeseen situation may arise that requires immediate controls. Therefore, the CD is authorized to initiate any special procedure he or she deems necessary to eliminate a situation that may be considered unsafe.


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