Part One - Concerning Safe Gliders.

1. Gliders should be built to a standard such that they will not fail under normal circumstances. Particular attention should be given to control surfaces, linkages and connections.
2. Gliders and radio equipment should be thoroughly checked prior to each flying session and after any abnormally hard landing. With a new model or with new or repaired equipment, a ground radio range check is essential before flying. If there are any doubts then the model should not be flown.
3. Gliders should have rounded noses of minimum radius of curvature 7.5 mm (5/16th in) measured tangential to the surface at any point.
4. Gliders and radio equipment should be checked before launching; pay particular attention to wing and tail mountings and structure, control systems, including their operation in the correct direction and remaining battery capacity.
5. Solid ballast, if required, should be carried internally, preferably in the wing roots. It should be firmly secured. It should never be jettisoned in flight.
6. It is a condition of your BMFA insurance that your failsafe system is activated if available. If flying on 2.4g it is always available and should be used. As a minimum it should be set to motor off upon signal loss.

Part Two - Concerning Safe Flying.

7. Avoid launching and flying within 30 metres of people, animals, houses, cars, footpaths in use by walkers, and other transmitters.
8. Always fly so that you are between your model and any spectators.
9. Never fly your model behind you, or the hill, or any obstacle in such a way that you are unable to see it at all times.
10. Never distract anyone who is flying a model.
11. If using the 27 or 35 Mhz bands, know which frequency you are using and display it by attaching a clothes peg, with your name and the frequency written on it, on the frequency board.
12. If using the 27 or 35 Mhz bands, make sure that your specific frequency is not in use before switching on your transmitter.
13. Before launching, check that no Gliders are flying into, or close to your initial flight path. Never launch unless it is clear both above and behind you.
14. Always stand in the flight line when flying with others so that all active transmitters are reasonably close to each other.
15. Always leave your transmitter with someone at the flight line before retrieving a model that has landed. If the model is a long way away then turn off the transmitter before retrieving the model.
16. At any sign of malfunction or the unexpected loss of any part of the model in the air, land as soon as it is safe to do so.
17. Whenever landing ensure that the selected spot is completely clear of spectators. If in any doubt do not land.

Part Three - Concerning the Safe Use of the Malvern Hills.

18. The MSA recommended flying areas are North Hill if the wind is between North and South East. For all other wind directions, the area known as "Table Hill" is used. Other areas should not be used to avoid people and frequency clashes. Gliders should not be flown to the south of the Wyche Cutting when Hang and Para gliders are operating.
19. In general avoid flying behind the ridge. Never fly behind the ridge of the hill in windy or turbulent conditions. If conditions do allow and you do fly behind the ridge, always position yourself over the ridge first. If landing on the reverse side do so well down the slope to avoid wind vortices.
20. Never fly in bad light, in conditions of decreasing visibility, low cloud, or when cloud or mist is forming close to the slope.
21. Always display a club transfer in the rear window of your car when flying to indicate to others that you are on the Hills. Visitors should be encouraged to display a note indicating the frequency they intend to use.
22. Never leave litter on the slopes, particularly rubber bands.
23. Take extreme care at all times when using matches and cigarettes not to cause hill fires.
24. Familiarise yourself with the bylaws of the Hills Conservators and observe them at all times. In particular pay parking fees and only park in authorised areas. In particular note that bylaw 11 sets the upper weight limit for a model flown on the Hills at 10 Kg.
25. The Malvern Hills are totally unsuited for "combat" flying. Never fly in such a way as to deliberately hit another model.

Part Four - Concerning the Use of the Upton on Severn site.

26. Fish Meadow, Upton-upon-Severn is the Club flying field. Extreme care must be taken not to fly under 30 meters over public roads, the river, public footpaths or houses. It is preferable to land on the other side of a road or river to avoid this occurring.
27. Bungees, winch cables and towlines must be set out so that their entire length is within sight at all times. They should not be set out in such a way that the cable might fall across a road, river or track. Particular care must be taken when the direction of launch is to the North. The attention of horse riders and those in charge of other animals should be drawn to them.
28. Cars should only be parked at the edge of the field, preferably on the hard standing. They should always be driven around the edge and not across the field. The grass is an agricultural crop and must not be cut. The gate should be shut behind you and the steel barrier locked in the upright position when entering and leaving the field.

Part Five - Concerning Hang and Para Gliders.

29. The Joint BMFA/BHPA Operating Code is to be followed at all times.
30. The Malvern Hills is shared airspace. The launching, flying and landing of Gliders should always be on that part of the Hills to the North of the Wyche Cutting when Hang and Para Gliders are operating.
31. Avoid flying in airspace in close proximity to or likely to be shared with Hang and Para gliders. Be particularly watchful in easterly winds when Hang and Para Gliders are likely to be operating to the North of the Wyche Cutting.
32. Before launching check that your launch area is clear of Hang and Para gliders.
33. When flying, keep a good angular horizontal and vertical separation between your model and any Hang and Para glider. Allow additional separation if you are performing aerobatics. Avoid your model being shielded from your vision by a hang or para glider.
34. Remember that a hang or para glider is less manoeuverable than a model and that the pilot has a restricted field of view. If collision avoidance does become necessary then "up" or "down" manoeuvers are likely to be the most sensible actions.
35. Finally, remember that life is at stake in Hang and Para gliders and that they have just as much right as you to enjoy their activity and fly above the Malverns. If you have any doubt at any time regarding safety then land.

Part Six - Concerning Juniors and Vulnerable Adults.

36. The policy, procedures and guidelines published by the BMFA from time to time should be observed.
37. Members agree that they will do what is reasonable in all circumstances for the purpose of safeguarding or promoting the welfare of junior or vulnerable adult members of the MSA.
38. Junior members must be accompanied by a parent/guardian, or an adult nominated by them, at all times whilst they are participating in any MSA activity. The adult nominated must also be a member of the MSA and must be responsible for supervising the junior member whilst in their care.

Part Seven - Concerning Electric Powered Gliders.

39. Malvern Hills Conservators bye-laws prohibit the flying of all powered aircraft on the Malvern Hills.
40. The MSA is primarily an Association for pilots of RC gliders and the use of Fish Meadow will be strictly limited to soaring flight by models designated as gliders only. Acceptable methods of launching gliders will be by the use of bungees, electric winches, hand / discus launch and on board electric motors. It is understood that the use of on board electric motors is solely for the purpose of launching the glider so that soaring flight can commence. Internal combustion powered models cannot be flown on Fish Meadow under any circumstances.
41. Members flying electric powered aircraft at Fish Meadow are prohibited from over-flying winch lines throughout the time when any thermal soaring activity is taking place. At all times non-powered flight will take priority over powered flight from the launch phase to the landing.
42. Please read and understand the CAA Article 16 Authorisation – A guide to model aircraft and drone flying.

https://rcc.bmfa.uk/article-16

REMEMBER THAT WE ARE PRIVILEGED TO USE THE MALVERN HILLS. ALL MSA MEMBERS AGREE TO ABIDE BY THIS CODE OF PRACTICE AND TO ENCOURAGE ALL OTHERS FLYING TO DO LIKEWISE.