I Membership, Club fees, Reservations, Scheduling & Use of Time
II Logging and Reporting Time
III Aircraft Inspections and Maintenance
IV General Rules of the Aircraft Operations V Restricted Types of Flying
VI Conditions of Use of Aircraft
VII Flight Minimums
VIII Flying Skills
IX Check-out Requirements
X Cross-Country Flight Rules
XI Enforcement
XII Changes of Amendments
The Safe Pilot’s 12 Golden Rules*
Safety Note: Insurance statistics show that 90% of all aircraft accidents caused by unsafe acts on the part of the pilot—and that 93% of these accidents result from a violation of one or more of the 12 Golden Rules.
Section I: Membership fees, Reservation, Scheduling, and the Use of Time
BAC has been formed to assist dedicated aviators to follow their passion for flight in a practical and cost effective manner. To that goal, there are two options for membership.
A one time admin fee of $250 plus a monthly membership fee of $75 is required to become a member of B.A.C
No carry-over of hours:
• There are no hours of flight time included in the one-time admin or monthly fees.
1) Members who have the aircraft scheduled and who are tardy thirty (30) minutes, or have not cancelled or rescheduled through Flight Scheduler Pro may lose their reservation to any member waiting to fly.
2) It should be thoroughly understood that the proper use of the reservation features provided is the key to a successful cooperative operation, maximum use of the aircraft, and maximum utility for all of the members.
3) By your reservation you are declaring to the other members that the aircraft is assigned to your custody for the period reserved. Therefore, you should be careful to follow these rules.
- Reserve precisely the time you want. Do not schedule the aircraft for all day unless you intend on flying the aircraft or be away from the local area.
Each member must indicate his destination when he departs from the local area. This information must be recorded via the mobile app, or software provided by B.A.C.
Cancel your reservations as soon as possible if you are unable to keep the reservation, whether for weather or for other reasons. Do not assume that in inclement weather the aircraft will not be needed. Adjust your reservation if you find your flight will be delayed in leaving. Cancel any remaining time from your schedule if you return early.
Failure to cancel an aircraft when scheduled and not flown subjects the member to the following fine:
- If the aircraft is scheduled for less than 4 hours, the fine will be 1⁄2 hour of flight time.
- If the aircraft is scheduled for greater than 4 but less than 24 hours, the fine will be 1 hour of flight time.
- If the aircraft is scheduled for greater than 24 hours, the fine will be 1 hour of flight time per day.
§ The aircraft may be canceled without penalty if the club weather is close to, at, or below the posted clubs weather policy. The member should cancel as soon as they understand the forecast weather is predicted to be problematic.
- e) No member shall fly a club aircraft without having reserved time for the flight through the club online scheduling software.
- f) All members must terminate their flight – local and Cross-Country --on schedule (by the clock) if other members are waiting to fly or have reserved time immediately following. This rule applies regardless of how late a member was in the beginning his period of reserved flight.
- g) Offenders of this regulation may be fined by the Board of Directors commensurate with the length of time the offender overstayed his reservation.
- h) If you are delayed returning the airplane to the base, you must try to contact the party next in line waiting on the airplane first, and if you are unable to communicate, contact the Club Operations Officer (or, if unable, the President or other officer) if you are delayed and cannot return on schedule. This officer will, in turn, notify the next person(s) on the schedule of the delay. All delays should be reported promptly to prevent any undue anxiety, investigation search, and rescheduling of aircraft.
- i) Contact the Operations Officer for assistance if you feel a reservation rearrangement can solve a particular reservation problem.
- j) Inactive members cannot schedule or operate Club aircraft.
k) If the scheduling software shows that a no-go issue is preventing the airplane from flying
legally, DO NOT ASSUME the issue has been resolved and not properly logged in the
software. You must verify each and every flight is safe and the plane is airworthy.
l) Each pilot in command is solely responsible for his or her flight. Each pilot in required to do
a full runup and preflight check list prior to departure.
Section II: Logging and Reporting Flight Time
1) Flying time shall be computed for each flight with the aid of a recording tac meter, or a Hobbs meter when the tac meter is not available. The duration of each flight shall be computed from starting the engine until the engine is stopped after parking.
2) Use of Aircraft Flight Time Log:
- a) The pilot in command must use the mobile app, or website and enter the following information: Aircraft, N number, Tach start and stop time, Pilot’s name and remarks
- b) Before starting engine, the pilot-in-command will enter the date, his or her name, and the tach start time.
- c) Check the “Remarks” for the previous flight or two to see if any discrepancies have been recently reported. Be sure to check the previous pilot’s “Tach Stop” time to make sure it agrees with your “Tach Start” time. If there is a discrepancy note it in the “remarks” so you will not be charged for the missing tach time. If the pilot does not enter this, then they will be charged for the discrepancy, regardless of who was responsible.
- d) Upon stopping the engine at completion of the flight, the tach reading will be entered in the space provided. Subtracting the “Tach Start” reading for the “Tach Stop” reading will give the “Time Flown”.
- e) Any aircraft deficiency should be noted under the “Remarks”.
- f) Inspect the tires very carefully before each flight. If there are flat spots on the tires than you must note that via the app, along with pictures of the flat spot. Any pilot that fails to do so may be charged for the tire replacement if the very next member to take the plane will note it.
Section III: Aircraft Inspections and Maintenance
1) There shall be a line (visual) inspection performed before each flight by the pilot making such flight. Any defects found in the plane’s structure or accessories shall be reported to the Aircraft Maintenance Officer immediately (or, if not available, to the Operations Officer) and no flight shall be made if such defect may endanger the safe operation of the aircraft. Notification to the aircraft maintenance Officer has been made seamless due to the investment in technology using the club’s online software- use it!
2) Prior to each flight the pilot shall check the fuel and oil quantities visually and by the gauges.
3) After each flight the pilot is responsible to see that the aircraft is serviced with fuel, and oil is on the recommended level, so that the plane will be ready for the next flight. The aircraft shall be cleaned, at minimum the leading edges, cowling, windscreen & windows, and interior carpet.
4) Check fuel caps for security after refueling; Refueling of an aircraft in the rain requires new samples of all fuel tanks to insure water is free and clear unless protection is used to keep water out of the fuel tanks.
5) If the Aircraft is left without a pilot, the member must tied down the aircraft with both main wheels chocked, the master switch off, and the controls locked.
6) If the aircraft is assigned a particular hanger, it will be stored inside the hanger after each flight. The hanger doors must be closed, and the hanger secured during the day of the flight.
7) No member shall be permitted to attach any object to the plane or in any manner make adjustments or repairs unless approved by the Aircraft Maintenance Officer.
8) An annual inspection shall be performed each twelve (12) months.
1) Each member is responsible for a complete pre-flight check of his or her aircraft. Squawks should be reported to the Aircraft Maintenance Officer, (or if unavailable, to the Operations Officer) as soon as possible and, if sufficiently serious, the member should take all necessary precautions to ground the aircraft until the squawk is cleared. In such case the “grounded” sign will be hung on the pilot’s yoke and the problem noted in the “Remarks” on the Flight Time Log Booklet
2) It is the responsibility of each member to know the authorized loading limits and requirements of each aircraft in which he acts as PIC.
3) Aircraft check-lists shall be used by all pilots for starting engines, before takeoff, before landing, and before engine shutdown.
4) The Club will not maintain a current sectional; it is the pilot’s responsibility to ensure current charts and all other required documents are carried for the area of operation.
5) Flights over 50 nautical miles from the point of departure should be made on a flight plan filed with Flight Service.
6) Only aircraft certified in Acrobatic Category may be used for acrobatic maneuvers.
7) The “12 golden Rules” for safe aircraft operations on the ground and in the air shall be observed by all pilots in the Club. These rules are the results of analyzing thousands of aircraft accidents by the Flight Safety Department of the National Aviation Underwriters. A copy is appended to these flight regulations.
Section V: Restricted Types of Flying
1) No member shall land or take-off from an unlighted field during the hours of darkness, unless:
• An emergency situation or event occurs.
2) Off-airport landings are not permitted, unless:
- Members shall make landings only on paved runways until the pilot has been signed off for soft field landings by a club certified instructor and logged in the software.
- Landings on grass, beach, or dirt runways are allowed when training with a club certificated instructor.
- The club Flight Safety Officer has been briefed of the flight.
- An emergency situation or event occurs.
3) There shall be no formation flying of the Club aircraft with each other or any other aircraft, unless:
- the pilots involved have completed formation flying training and received an endorsement, and that endorsement is recorded at the club.
- The club Flight Safety Officer has been briefed of the flight.
4) Members are prohibited from inducing a spin in any club airplane, Unless:
- The Aircraft is certified for spins.
- A club certified flight instructor is conducting extended envelope training.
- The club Flight Safety Officer has been briefed of the flight.
- Proper Weight & Balance has been submitted to the Flight Safety Officer.
Section VI: Conditions on Use of Aircraft
1) No flight (cross-country or local) shall be made without noting in the reservation software the name of the pilot-in-command, the period for which the pilot expects to have the aircraft, and the destination city/airport (use full name of airport, not alphanumeric identifiers).
2) Each member must to see that their medical certificate and pilot certificate are current and carried on his person for each flight.
3) All flights are to be made within the limits of the FAA certificate of the member piloting the Club aircraft.
4) Only Active and Associate Club members shall fly Club aircraft, except that qualified maintenance personnel making necessary test flights shall be permitted by any Club member to fly any Club aircraft.
5) No member shall use the Club aircraft for hire nor shall he rent or lend the Club aircraft to any other person.
6) Club aircraft shall not be used by any member for commercial operation or for personal gain. No member may offer transportation to a non-member for a profit.
7) A member may accept an offer to share the costs of a flight made for a common interest. Particular care must be taken that it cannot in any way be construed as a charter operation. A member may use Club aircraft for personal transportation, for pleasure, in business, or for their employer.
8) No member shall use any Club aircraft while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Nor shall any pilot-in-command of Club aircraft permit any of his passengers to use alcoholic beverages of any kind during flight. Determination as to whether the member was under such influence or not, or whether or not he violated either of these rules, shall be made by the Board and their decision shall be final. Any member found guilty of a violation of this section shall be expelled from the membership in this club.
9) No flights are permitted outside the continental United States, unless approved in writing by the Board of Directors. Requests for such flights must be made in time to allow the board to review and approve them and to arrange for insurance coverage. All expenses involved in approving and conducting such a flight must be borne by the requesting member.
10) Only Club members may act as pilot-in-command of the Club aircraft.
11) Under no circumstances may a member instruct another member in the Club aircraft unless he is a certified flight instructor.
12) No member shall give flight instruction in the Club aircraft to a non-member even though the Club member holds a flight instructor’s certificate. Any instructors interested in training using the club airplane, must first recruit their students to the club prior to flight training. Once a member has joined the club, they are free to use another certified flight instructor at will. There shall be no mutual agreement or contract between instructors and students/members concerning flight training.
13) No Student Pilot shall receive flight instruction in a Club aircraft from any flight instructor except those designated and approved as flight instructors by the Board of Directors.
14) Club aircraft shall not be used by any member in a careless, reckless, negligent, or otherwise unsafe manner, or in any way that would tend to bring discredit upon this Club or upon any of its members.
Section VII: Flight Minimums
1) Each member is urged to fly at least twelve (12) hours per year to maintain a minimum level of proficiency.
2) 3 Take-Offs and Landing in a Conventional gear aircraft (Tailwheel) to a full stop are required within 45 days to fly any club’s Conventional gear aircraft.
3) It is required by the Backcountry Aero Club that each member of the club MUST fly with a Flying Club approved CFI every 12 calendar months to remain eligible to fly the Backcountry Aero Club Aircraft.
4) On cross-country flights a member shall be charged a minimum of two (2) hours per day for each 24hr period the aircraft is in the member’s possession. For instance: If a member keeps the aircraft for 72 hours, he is expected to put six (6) hours of flying time on the aircraft.
5) Flights of less than three-tenths of an hour are discouraged because of excessive wear and tear on engine, electrical system, tires, and brakes.
Section VIII: Flying Skills
1) Each member joining the Backcountry Aero Club shall be instructed and checked out thoroughly prior to flying each make and model of the Club aircraft. This can be accomplished by evaluation by a Club-designated CFI through interview, logbook review, and actual flight.
2) Student pilots must be rechecked by a club instructor every ninety (90) days before flying solo. Depending on the proficiency of the student pilot, this period may be reduced at the discretion of the Operations Officer or the student’s designated flight instructor. Lapses in flight activity of more than 30 days require a logbook endorsement by a flight instructor.
Section IX: Check-Out Requirements
Complete the Backcountry Aero Club transition syllabus which involves an open book written worksheet using the aircraft POH, and complete a check-out flight with a club designated check pilot.
The designated club check pilot can streamline and or exempt sections of the flight demonstration of the syllabus based on the judgment of the check pilot and the demonstrated skill of the pilot taking the check flight.
Section X: Cross-Country Flights Rules
1) Oil and gas levels must be checked at each stop. This also applies to local flights. Use correct oil and fuel grades as given in the aircraft Owner’s Manual (or POH) or approved Flight Manual. Do not use auto fuels.
2) In the event of a maintenance discrepancy while away from the base airport, repair or have repaired all items affecting safety of flight. Contact the Aircraft Maintenance Officer (or, if not available, some other Club Officer/Director) before arranging for any repairs over one hundred ($100.00) dollars. For amounts less than this, the member may do so in his own name, and after presentation of a properly receipted bill for such sales and/or services, and after the bill has been approved by the Treasurer, said member shall be given credit.
- 3) Secure inside storage whenever possible to preclude storm damage. If aircraft must be stored outside, be sure it is tied down securely, and controls are locked. The safety of the aircraft is your sole responsibility while the aircraft is in your possession.
- 4) Lock the aircraft when unattended.
5) Storage, tie-down fees, and landing fees, incurred by a member away from the Club’s home airport shall be absorbed by the member.
6) Whenever an aircraft is left standing during windy conditions (blowing dust, sand, snow, etc.), it is the full responsibility of the member to clean or have cleaned the AIR INTAKE SCREEN to the carburetor and overall engine, before starting the engine.
7) Any member who flies in or out of a dirt, gravel, rock surface, sod, or grass airport will be held fully responsible for all damage to the aircraft, such as propeller damage, paint nicks, dents to metal surfaces, etc. This is also applies to taxiing, starting engine, run-up, etc., when a taxiway or tie- down area is not paved. Use the tow bar in the aircraft when necessary to avoid propeller strike on the uneven terrain.
8) Keep aircraft exterior and interior clean. The next member to use the aircraft will appreciate it. Remember; ALWAYS leave the plane “ready to fly for the next guy”.
9) Upon return, refuel and clean the aircraft per Section 3, item 3.
Section XI: Enforcement
1) The above regulations and rules shall be policed by the entire membership. All complaints and any suggestions shall be filed with the President and he shall call a meeting of the Board, at which meeting appropriate action will be taken.
2) Any violation of the FAA Regulations or the Flying Regulations of the Club shall constitute cause for immediate grounding, and any member so grounded shall remain grounded until further action is taken by the Board of Directors.
3) Violations are subject to a fine to be set in each individual case by the Board. The cost of any repairs or replacement not covered by insurance which is a result of damage incurred by taking off or landing at an area other than an approved field shall be paid for in full by the member in charge of the aircraft. NOTE: For damage other than the above, see Article XV, Sections 2, 3, & 4 of the Club’s by-laws.
Section XII: Changes and Amendments
1) Changes in, or amendments to these Flying Regulations may be effected only by the majority vote of the Board of Directors at the regular or special meeting called for the purpose.
2) Any changes or amendments to these Flying Regulations shall be mailed to each Active and Associate of the Club. Inactive or Suspended members will be issued such changes or amendments upon their return to Active Status.
3) These operating rules and regulations are designed to aid in the systematic and equitable utilization of Club aircraft. They are also designed to help each member have many enjoyable and safe hours of flying.
4) These operating rules are formulated by the club’s Board of Directors as provided in the By-laws and will remain in effect until revised rules are published.
5) MEMBERS ARE RESPONSIBLE TO BE FAMILIAR WITH CURRENT FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND CLUB FLYING REGUALTIONS!
The 12 Golden Rules of Aviation
1. Rule one has to do with us, the pilot-in-command. When was the last time you flew with an instructor? Was it two years ago during your last flight review? Think about getting a good evaluation by a qualified instructor, not just any instructor, but one that is familiar with your airplane type. Practice some maneuvers you haven’t looked at in awhile, such maneuvers as stalls, steep turns, and slow flight. Make a concentrated effort in practicing crosswind and short-field landings. Review emergency procedures and especially a simulated forced landing. Remember the rumors about our airplanes: they glide like bricks, right!
- Rule number two has to do with our airplane. When was the last time it flew? We would want to do a real thorough preflight inspection looking for problem areas. If the temperature is right, wash the airplane. It forces you to look real closely over the entire airplane. You would be surprised what you could find missing or bent.
- The third rule requires us to be vigilant. Always, whether taxiing or flying, do a double look checking for existing or potential hazards.
4. Rule four tells us never to operate an airplane with a known malfunction. If a malfunction occurs in flight, land as soon as practical and get it repaired. Remember the old axiom "it is better to wish I was up there flying than to be up there wishing I was on the ground".
5. The fifth rule states that we should get a thorough preflight weather briefing before we go fly. Establish your own weather minimums. Remember the regulations are written to a "minimum" level of safety. What may be legal VFR may not necessarily be safe for our level of experience or proficiency.
6. Rule six states "airspeed" is life. Never abruptly change the attitude of an airplane nor allow it’s airspeed to drop below at least 160 percent of the stall speed when maneuvering below 1000 feet above the ground. On final approach, we should maintain our airspeed at least 130 percent of stall until over the threshold and ready to touch down.
7. Rule seven has to do with navigation planning. Make sure you know the minimum safe altitude along your route of flight. Always try to plan a route so that you would have a chance of walking out of a forced landing area if you go down. Have current charts for the route you are flying. The earth might not change much but airspace and frequencies do.
8. Rule eight states; be sure the runway length is equal to airplane manufacturer’s published takeoff or landing distance. A safety margin of plus 80 percent of the published distance should be used for hard surface, double the manual distance if sod, and triple the manual distance if wet grass.
9. Rule nine addresses takeoff and landing limits. Abort your takeoff if not solidly airborne in the first one-half of runway. Always, when safe, plan to touchdown 200 feet inside of runway threshold. Abort your landing if not solidly on the first one-third of the runway. Never quit flying until the engine is shut down and the chocks are in place.
10. Rule ten has to do with wind limits. Never attempt taxiing when crosswinds or gusts exceed 50 percent of stall speed unless outside assistance is used. It is suggested never to attempt takeoff or landing when 90 degree surface crosswinds exceed 20 percent of stall speed. This would equate to about 10 mph. We know that the demonstrated maximum crosswind component is a recommended limitation and that we have landed or taken off in more than 10 mph. The airplane is probably more capable than our own abilities and proficiency. The key word is "proficiency". Always plan ahead and be ready for the unexpected. Never taxi closer than 1000 feet from the "blast" end of a large or turbojet aircraft.
11. The eleventh rule has to do with our physical condition as pilots. Never attempt to fly if less than eight hours have elapsed since drinking alcoholic beverages. More important is that the residual effects are gone. Do not fly if you are extremely fatigued or emotionally upset.
12. Rule number twelve has to do with starting the engine. Never attempt to hand start an airplane unless a qualified person is at the controls. Even then, be very careful and completely brief all persons involved with the starting procedures.
These rules were developed from insurance company files on aircraft accidents. They are only guidelines. Good judgment and proficiency are our best insurances for a safe flight. These “rules” were from an out-of print FAA pamphlet FAA-P-8740-7, The Safe Pilot’s 12 Golden Rules.