Operating Regulations

High Planes Aero Club, Inc.

Revision 1.0 - December 17 2001

Preamble

It is the intention of this club to operate with as much personal autonomony as possible without infringing on the rights of others in the club. The club asks that you use common sense and common courtesy in using club property so that we can all enjoy the benefits of membership.

Flight Rules

  1. All members of the Club shall comply with all Federal Aviation Regulations, state, airport and Club rules while operating Club aircraft.
  2. A violation of any of the Club's rules by a member renders him liable to either a temporary flight suspension of not more than (30) days or a monetary fine not to exceed (500) dollars, or both. Repeated violations shall result in a recommendation by the Board of Directors that the member be expelled from the Club, such recommendation to be voted on by the membership. A majority vote shall be necessary for expulsion.
  3. All members must be checked out and approved for solo by a flight instructor designated by the Board of Directors before soloing any Club aircraft.
  4. There is to be no smoking in any club aircraft at any time.
  5. All members must conform with all FAA currency requirements. Additional requirements may be placed in this section only if club insurance policies require them. Currency includes, but is not limited to, a current bienniel flight review and at least a current class 3 medical certificate. Additional currency requirements may be required depending on the member's ratings and the type of flight that the member intends to complete.
  6. No member may perform any maintenance on Club aircraft, other than preflight inspection, without authorization from the Maintenance Officer.
  7. Club aircraft may not be used to give flight instruction to anyone except Club members and, upon approval by the Board of Directors, members of their immediate families.

Landing Limitations:

Except in an emergency, no member shall land a club airplane on any strip which is not generally known to be currently and actively used for regular takeoffs and landings by aircraft of the same type as the club aircraft.

Over Water and International Flying:

Any extensive over water or international flying should be arranged with the club President or Safety Officer to insure that all insurance requirements are met prior to the flight.

Limit of Use:

Club aircraft are for the exclusive use of club members in good standing and may not be rented, loaned, or otherwise used by other than club members.

For this purpose, any person occupying the front left seat of the aircraft is required to be an active member in the club.

Reservation Time:

To reserve a plane, the member must use the scheduling system and reserve the exact starting and termination time for each flight. Should the member be unable to consume all or any part of the time scheduled, he must amend the schedule accordingly at the earliest possible time.

Reservation Limits:

A member's reservation will be held even if the member cannot show up at the beginning of his scheduled start time. This club is intended to be as close to ownership as possible, so we do not want schedules to box in your schedule if an unforeseen event delays your prompt arrival at the aircraft. On the other hand, if your arrival is significantly later than planned it is suggested that you alter your schedule to a more realistic departure time. Repeated offenses of failing to alter or cancel a "no-show" may result in disciplinary action by the board of directors.

Before Flight:

  1. A member must perform a thorough preflight inspection of the aircraft, including a visual inspection of the fuel quantity, prior to commencing flight. Any damage or discrepancies discovered by a member will be assumed to be the responsibility of the last user unless it has been reported previously to the Maintenance Officer. If a condition is discovered which may affect the airworthiness of the aircraft, the aircraft shall not be flown until cleared by the Maintenance Officer.
  2. Each member must ascertain that the airworthiness and registration certificates, operator's manual, and weight and balance information are in the aircraft prior to commencing flight.
  3. NOTE: Aircraft are not required to be refueled before return. Make sure that the fuel quantity is adequate for your intended flight plus reserves.
  4. If the aircraft requires oil then use the oil in the club's hangar if available. Otherwise purchase oil as necessary from any FBO.
  5. Preheat the aircraft before starting if the aircraft has not been flown for more than 3 hours and the temperature has been at or below 20 degrees F during that time.
  6. It is recommended that you record starting Hobbs time in the clipboards in or near the aircraft. Failure to record Hobbs time will put you at the mercy of the last member's recorded ending time. If there is a discrepency between the last members recorded end time and the current Hobbs meter time then you must note this on the clipboard and notify a club officer as soon as possible.

Returning the Aircraft:

  1. Upon completion of a flight, the pilot must tidy up the aircraft. Waste paper and extra charts will be removed, seat belts will be straightened, etc.
  2. Pets may be carried in club aircraft, but the member must take extra time in cleaning the aircraft after a pet has been carried. This includes vacuuming out the interior if necessary, and making sure all traces and odors of your pet are not left for the next member.
  3. Tanks are not to be topped off after each flight. This allows the next member to decide how much fuel to take on before departing.
  4. Aircraft are to be secured in the hangar after each flight unless another member is present to take immediate position of the aircraft.
  5. The member must record the end time and the total elapsed flight time on the clipboard that is in the aircraft or in the hangar near the aircraft.
  6. The member must record the total amount and cost of any fuel and oil used. Charge slips should be left with the time recording sheet.

Minimum Charge:

There is no minimum charge regardless of the number of days the aircraft is taken for. A member can fly to Colorado Springs for a week if they so desire and they will only pay for time flown.

Delayed Return:

Each member should make every effort within the realm of safety to return the aircraft by the end of his scheduled return time. If a member cannot return the airplane by his scheduled return time due to weather, maintenance, or some other factor, then that member should first access the scheduling system and attempt to reschedule the aircraft to their new estimated arrival time. If the member finds that another member has the aircraft scheduled during that time then he should leave this information on the scheduling system, then he should make every effort to contact the other member and explain the situation and the expected delay.