Quiet Flight At Fort Worden: Continuing The Tradition A Memorandum Of Understanding Between: The Port Townsend Silent Flight Association, The Fort Worden PDA and The Washington State Parks March 26, 2015
Overview Quiet flight of electric powered and hand-launched radio controlled aircraft has been practiced informally at Fort Worden for the past thirty-five years. The Fort s Parade Grounds and bluffs have provided ideal venues for local residents and guests to safely and quietly enjoy the growing popularity of aeromodeling before a beautiful backdrop of the Pacific Northwest. With this Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU), the members of the Port Townsend Silent Flight Association (PTSFA) seek to enter into a formal agreement with the Fort Worden PDA and Washington State Parks to permit the tradition of quiet and safe aeromodeling to continue within the perimeter of the PDA. Affiliations Port Townsend Silent Flight Association This MOU is being initiated by the members of the Port Townsend Silent Flight Association (PTSFA). The PTSFA is a multi-age group of Jefferson County residents who enjoy the pastime of quiet and safe aeromodeling. Our membership ranges from children as young as six to the very young at heart in their eighties and nineties. Our members fly a variety of miniature aircraft including small, sub-ounce electric powered planes to larger electric powered and non-powered radio-controlled gliders and sport models. Our members include the able-bodied as well as the disabled. All PTSFA members are required to be members of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) as discussed further below. Jefferson County YMCA The PTSFA is particularly interested in fostering an appreciation of quiet and safe aeromodeling among young people. Over the last four years, the PTFSA has sponsored a hugely successful indoor aeromodeling program in conjunction with the Jefferson County YMCA at the Mountain View Commons. The program is called Fly-The-Y (www.facebook.com/flythey). Every Friday afternoon after school, PTSFA members gather in the Mountain View Commons gym to mentor youngsters and all those interested in the practice of radiocontrol aeromodeling. With the acceptance of this MOU, the members of the PTSFA look forward to providing a welcoming outdoor venue for those who have participated in Fly-The-Y and who wish to expand their aeromodeling skills. Jefferson County 4H/Maker Program PTSFA operates in conjunction with the local 4H Maker program offering aero-modeling experience and mentoring to Maker participants. PTSFA will also participate in the creation of a Maker Space here in Port Townsend, offering 4H members the opportunity to design and construct model aircraft in conjunction with other Maker activities such as robotics and 3D printing. Blue Heron Middle School Under the auspices of the YMCA, PTSFA brings its FlyTheY program directly to Port Townsend middle school students by in the Blue Heron Gym. Students are welcome to drop in and test-fly training aircraft and receive Page 2 of 8
mentoring from PTSFA members. The Academy of Model Aeronautics The PTSFA is a fully-sanctioned aeromodeling club within the Academy of Model Aeronautics (www.modelaircraft.org). The AMA, with over 175,000 members, is an associate member of the National Aeronautic Association. Through the NAA, the AMA is recognized by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), the world governing body of all aviation activity, as the only organization which may direct U.S. participation in international aero-modeling activities. PTSFA members are fully insured by the AMA and have the support of both a national and international organization. More details on liability coverage follow. Operational Considerations When and Where Pilots May Fly The Fort Worden Parade grounds will be the principal flying site. The overarching imperative is to fly safely and fly quietly. As a shared community resource, pilots will utilize areas of the parade grounds on a first come, first served basis and will fly according the following conventions: Pilots will only engage in flying activity if there is a minimum of a 100 x 300 of vacated field on the Parade Grounds. Conversely, if there is not a minimum of a 100 x 300 area of the field vacated, or if it is deemed unsafe to fly for any reason (i.e. limited visibility), pilots will not fly. Pilots will remain attentive at all times to non-flying park guests to assure safe flying, bringing to their attention, as needed, the currently utilized landing and take-off area. A pilot will stop flying at any time it is deemed unsafe even if a pilot has first come, first served usage. For instance, if a pilot notices that a picnic or other group activity has moved within the currently designated 100 x 300 landing area, the pilot will defer to the encroaching group activity and refrain from flying. Only one plane will take off or land at a time within the currently utilized landing area. Pilots will always fly with a spotter. A spotter is a non-flying pilot designated to watch for pedestrian activity near the current landing and take-off area. The spotter will act to insure safe flying by alerting pilot or guest of encroachment, or if needed, request that the pilot land due to encroaching pedestrian activity. It should be noted that the common sense courtesy approach to a shared community resource has worked safely and without incident for the last thirty-five years that RC pilots have used the Parade Grounds for aeromodeling. The Pilots Members of the PTSFA will all be members of the AMA which carries automatic liability coverage. Experienced pilots will have the responsibility to mentor new pilots in safe-flying practices. New pilots are expected to fly with a mentor. Extensive use of contemporary training transmitters will be employed to insure safe mentorship. Page 3 of 8
The Planes Only quiet, non-powered gliders or electric-powered aircraft will be permitted within the park. No fueldriven, powered aircraft will be allowed. All aircraft will be limited to 65 decibels at a distance of 25 away. This is equivalent to the decibel level of a conversation. In practice electric-powered aircraft typically go undetected once in the air. Maximum Number Of Planes No more than six planes will be permitted to fly concurrently during normal aeromodeling operations. The exception to this rule will be for formally sanctioned AMA events which would require prior reservation of a larger portion of the Parade Grounds. Hours of Flying Flying is expected to be conducted only with safe visibility, during daylight Park hours. Non-PTSFA Members It can be expected that pilots who are not members of PTSFA will wish to fly at Fort Worden. Should non- PTSFA members fly in the company with PTSFA members, PTSFA members will review the requirement for AMA membership, either as a ParkFlyer or as a Full member with the guest pilot. (Both AMA membership levels provide liability coverage.) If the non-ptsfa pilot does not have AMA membership, he will be asked to stop flying until he or she has become a member, or if the pilot can show proof of insurance with a minimum coverage of $500,000. The pilot without coverage will further be directed to the Park Office where there will be pamphlets documenting how to become an AMA member. Note that AMA membership is free for those under 18. AMA membership can be provided on-line in a single registration session. Spectators We have found park guests thoroughly enjoy the quiet grace of our model aircraft. PTFSA welcomes and encourages park guests to observe our flying activity, ask questions, and as opportunity permits, to try their hand in a training configuration in the company a senior pilot using an appropriate training model. Signage PTSFA will place signage during flying sessions indicating that PTSFA membership, AMA membership or evidence of a minimum of $500,000 personal liability insurance is required to fly at the Parade Grounds. (Note that membership in PTSFA also requires membership in the AMA.) Liability Coverage The minimum recommended personal liability coverage per pilot is $500,000. The AMA provides two levels of liability coverage based on membership level. Full AMA membership provides $2,500,500 coverage per pilot. The AMA ParkFlyer membership level provides liability coverage of $500,000. Note that the ParkFlyer status limits the pilot s plane weight to 2lbs. A ParkFlyer membership for in the AMA for those under 18 is free and provides the same $500,000 coverage as a paid ParkFlyer adult. Accordingly, there should be no reason why a young pilot cannot have liability coverage and will be directed to obtain by PTSFA members in Page 4 of 8
the event of non-coverage. The AMA has agreed to add the Fort Worden PDA (FWPDA) and the Washington State Parks as additional insured on their general liability policy. PTSFA will provide a certificate of additional insured coverage prior to use of the facility. Indemnification The PTSFA shall indemnify and hold harmless the FWPDA, its officers, officials, employees and volunteers from and against any and all claims, suits, actions, or liabilities for injury or death or any person, or for loss or damage to property, which arises out of use of Premises or from any activity, work or thing done, permitted, or suffered by User in or about the Premises, except only such injury or damage as shall have been occasioned by the sole negligence of the FWPDA. Fort Worden PDA As An Aeromodeling Destination Fort Worden not only offers a marvelous aeromodeling venue for Jefferson County residents, but with the advent of the Fort Worden PDA, it can serve as a destination for the over 175,000 AMA members and their families. PTFSA envisions holding regular events that look to draw aeromodeling enthusiasts from all around the Northwest. Visiting pilots and their guests can take advantage of housing and food service within the park. Spouses and guests can also enjoy all the amenities and color of downtown Port Townsend. The Fort Worden PDA with the spacious and historic beauty of the Parade grounds has the potential to serve as one of the finest flying sites for competitive soaring on the West Coast. PTFSA would eagerly welcome the opportunity to invite our colleagues to enjoy the resources of the Fort Worden. Approvals The following representatives agree to the conditions and practices outlined in this MOU as evidenced by their signatures provided below: PTSFA Representative: PDA Representative: Date: Date: Page 5 of 8
Page 6 of 8 A community of flying!
Appendix A Certificate of Insurance Page 7 of 8
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