Suffolk Kite Flyers - Club Rules

Suffolk Kite Flyers Club Rules

When we first formed the Suffolk Kite Flyers Club in 1993, we decided that as a responsible club of kite flyers, we must have our own safety rules. Many changes in membership over the years has taken place, as well as developments in the type and power of kites. At a recent committee meeting we all decided it was time to update these basic but important rules.

Kite flying is our hobby.

It can be safe and great fun!!

It can also be the opposite!!

Let us, as responsible kite flyers, promote kite flying in a positive way and be ambassadors for our sport by following these club safety rules.

LEARNING

Always learn to fly small kites before attempting to fly larger and more powerful kites.
Beginners should learn to fly power kites in light winds.
Remember, we never stop learning, no matter how experienced we are!

WEATHER CONDITIONS

Do not fly in electrical storms (wet lines conduct electricity).
Never fly kites in conditions that are too extreme or winds that are too strong for your skill level.
Never fly your kite if you cannot safely handle its power (i.e. if you are overpowered). Use a smaller kite or wait for lighter winds.

LOCATION

Do not fly your kite above 60m or within 5km (3 miles) of an airport - without exemption from the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority).
Do not fly your kite near overhead power cables.
Make sure you have adequate space to launch, fly and land your kite safely (especially stunt/power kites, buggying / mountain boarding) and do not fly close to roads, buildings, railways and potential obstacles etc.

PERSONAL SAFTEY AND ENJOYMENT

Never exceed your own limitations and abilities when kite flying.
Wear suitable clothing/footwear and wear gloves when flying single liners (as the kite lines can give you painful cuts and burns).
Be aware of who or what is behind you as well as what's in front of you - uneven ground, kite bags, flying lines etc.
Beware of running, scudding, jumping whilst kiting (twisted or even broken ankles are painful)!

CONSIDERATION TO OTHERS

Be aware of spectators, pedestrians and young children who might not be aware of the dangers of kites. Remember that the safety of others is the responsibility of the kite flyer.
When flying take notice of other users, giving them a safe distance between them and you so you don’t over fly them.
Respect the peace (stunt kites can be noisy).
Respect nature and animals (wildlife and livestock can be frightened by kites - especially horses ).
Be tidy (no old lines or rubbish left on site).

Equipment

Always check your equipment for wear and tear before flying. Do not fly with worn or damaged equipment or flying lines. Repair or replace accordingly.
Stake your handles and disable your kite when not in use, as a kite can easily re-launch itself at any time.
Tethered single liners should be clearly marked with a coloured telltale on the stake and preferably a coloured telltale on the flying line at eye height.
Remember that you are always responsible for the safe operation of your kite and equipment. Use common sense.

Additional rules for Power kiting: Buggying, Mountain boarding, Jumping

Wear suitable protective clothing/footwear, a safety helmet is advised to be worn at all times.
Before each flying session make an assessment of the flying site, look for potential hazards - uneven ground, trees, potholes, large rocks and other obstacles that may cause injury.
When flying try to have other flyers or other people with you (accidents can happen and you may need assistance).
Kite lines and bridles when under tension can cut like a knife and can cause serious injuries. Always keep your lines away from people and animals.
Never attach yourself permanently to the kite or tether yourself to any fixed anchor whilst flying (this applies when power kiting, it is very dangerous and can result in serious injury).
Never allow inexperienced kite flyers to use your equipment unless in a teaching situation under controlled conditions.
Remember to use EXTREME caution when using kite traction equipment, as improper use of this equipment can cause serious injury or death.

Safe practices to fellow Buggiers/Mountain Boarders or Rules of the Road

If you are on a head-on collision course turn right and the other pilot should do the same, remember to leave sufficient space between you and them.
In all other situations, watch for pilots coming from your right and avoid them. Pilots coming from your left will avoid you, so don't confuse them by changing course.
Look before you gybe/tack and if need be, call out the manoeuvre that you are about to make.,/
When passing each other, the down wind pilot must lower his/her kite and the upwind pilot must raise their kite in order to avoid a tangle.,/
We recommend that all Buggiers take out British Power Kite Sports Association insurance or any other 3rd party insurance that covers extreme sports.

Suffolk Kite Flyers - Additional Club Rules for the use of Rougham Airfield.

Site Access

To gain access to the site you must use the double gates near the entrance to Rougham Tower. Please do not use the Rougham Tower driveway as they don’t like kite flyers using this to gain entrance to the airfield. Once inside, please lock up the gates behind you and put the key back in the box and spin the combination. This is to stop any unauthorised entry to the site.

Please lock the gate even if it’s already open when you arrive or leave.

We have been asked when driving to the flying field that we could please take varied routes across the 1st field (i.e. the festival car park). This is in an attempt to reduce the rutting of the field.

The Airfield

Rougham airfield is a fully operational airfield, so planes can land here if they wish at any time, and this maybe for emergency purposes so be aware of planes at all times.

There are two runways, the main one (East/West) is over the far side of the field near the large wind sock. The second emergency runway (North/South) is to the far left looking towards Bury and the new housing development.

Other Clubs

There are two other clubs that use Rougham airfield, namely the Bury Model Flyers and the Glider Club.

We all have our own designated areas where we fly within reason and ours is parallel with Rougham Tower on your right up to the traffic cone on your right, stretching over to the emergency runway on your left as you enter the site.

The model club have their take off and landing area cordoned off by rope which is near the green storage container on the right hand side of the field at the end of the tree line. Their flying area is much larger than this roped area.

The glider club are over the far side of the field on the concrete road where there is an old barn, and of course they use the runways (both depending on the wind direction).

Flying at Rougham

When there are no other clubs on site, we can utilise the entire field including the runways depending on wind direction.

BUT BEWARE when entering or using the runways it is important that you treat them like a main road, so look left, and right and above as any plane has right of way. Please note, planes normally land into the wind and take off into the wind. If you see a plane approaching when buggying / Landbording on the runways, immediately veer off to one side. DO NOT park up in the middle of the runways, this is paramount!

Please don’t buggy / landboard on the model clubs cordoned roped off area at any time.

When the model club are flying we are restricted to our designated area, which is from the traffic cone on the right along an imaginary line across to the last right hand tree in a line of trees the other side of the emergency runway.

When the gliders or planes are flying, NO runways are to be used, but you may enter the emergency runway to turn round, but yet again treat it like a main road and look left and right and above before entering the run-way.

Finally - We hope that you enjoy flying at Rougham and that we keep it accident free. If there are any questions or you don’t understand the areas, then please contact any committee member with regards to the above rules.