HEFA Updates

[bdg]

Hello HEFA....!

As everyone knows, we are in turbulent times in our favorite hobby and pastime. It is a bit of a double whammy for us at HEFA with the loss of our previous field at SP and then the issues between TC and MAAC which have paused outdoor flying under the MAAC umbrella. I know that MAAC is doing their best to work through the fields and I understand and believe that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you to all of the MAAC organizers for sticking with it... almost all in a volunteer position.

So what has been happening at HEFA? Well, since our AGM late December there has been work ongoing. And with very few exceptions, we are all hearing of news with MAAC at the same time and we are all trying to pivot and to get ready for flying safely.

Some activities:

NEW FIELD REVIEWS

• While we have good access to LT (and I am sure that this will work very nicely for many), the continued interest in a new field remains front and center for our members.
• There are potential delays from MAAC (I could be wrong) as they work through their existing backlog of fields and we expect that is a priority over new field activations.
• Josh has put together a letter which we can present to landowners with an expression of interest in some fields / properties.
• Coordination to try and obtain owner contact information for these fields.
• The list of possible new fields has been compiled. Appended to that list are the flight classifications, contact information, etc.
• Unfortunately, some of the fields suggested at our AGM are within Controlled Airspace (Class D) and we expect those will not likely be approved by MAAC... putting them on the back burner for us at least for the moment.
• Continued discussions (still evolving) with the potential for flying with SW, ASRCM, Halifax Radio Flyers, etc. and the impact to members.

MEMBERSHIP

• As expected, HEFA membership is low. The lowest, in fact, that I have ever seen. This is not a complete surprise given the one-two punch that we have been hit with from the field loss / MAAC. Field leasing and maintenance costs should be reduced as otherwise we might be operating in the red.
• Even so, we are certainly accepting new membership applications. I expect that these will pick up a bit as flying is resumed and we are able to enjoy LT and PL.

FIELD RULES

• I know that no one likes rules - and new rules / restrictions are never enjoyable. But that said, we need to position ourselves so that we are aligned with the new reality.
• With that in mind, a set of new club rules have been drafted and published. Some of these are specific to PL, some to LT, and some are common to both.
• Perhaps one of the biggest changes relates to keeping 30m away from the public and the requirement for warning signage at any entrances. We are still working through the signs - these will not be permanent (too many legs!) and we need to sort through who has them. And we need to use them. Placement of the signs has been defined in our field plans.
• Please take a few minutes to download the document and to review. If you feel that anything is awry, then please reach out to us via email at HalifaxElectricFlyers@outlook.com.

HOBBY SHOW

• There is an option for HEFA to participate with SW in the SW Hobby Show. This is happening April 15/16 as I understand.
• It can be a tough time to get into the hobby with requirements for BASIC DRONE testing / licensing / maintenance records. But the effort can be worth it as this hobby - and the people that enjoy it - make this one of the best past-times going.

Please let us know if you have comments or concerns that are within the scope of HEFA.

Thanks

[KevinM]

If anyone of HEFA members would like you participate in the Shearwater Spring Hobby show on 15-16 April please let me know and we have space for you and a couple planes. the Shearwater club will have our normal corner in the Ashley lounge, I believe we will have 4 tables. If you would like to promote your club just let me know and I can arrange everything and give you all the timings. Check out the attached poster.

Kevin
SRCF Secretary/treasurer

[bdg]

Another quick update….

We have received some documents from MAAC related to LT and PL. Both of these locations have heightened requirements as they are with 3nm of an active aerodrome… and in fact PL is ON an active aerodrome and that requires even more attention.

But what does this mean? Well… for starters it means more rules and care. Here are a few highlights as a preview and these are mandatory beyond the needs for signage, 30m separation from the public, minimum BASIC license from TC, etc.:

• All models must be secured when installing a battery in the plane.
• We need to have fire extinguisher(s) present and accessible. Type and size to be worked out.
• There are enhanced visibility requirements:
  • We cannot fly if the clouds are less than 1000’
  • We cannot fly if horizontal visibility is less than 3nm
  • We cannot fly if it is foggy or with any reduced visibility
• We need to be able to reach the arrodrome operator in the event of a fly-away (contact info to be included in our site specific rules)
• We need to have clearly defined rules for stopping all flying if there are any full sized aircraft in the area

In addition, we will have unique site specific rules for each site.

Adherence to all of these requirements is serious business. We need to be diligent in the preparation of documents which are to be reviewed and approved by MAAC and then by TC. BUT - just as important - our members need to be equally diligent in following these requirements.

Just wanted to keep everyone in the loop. As always, please direct any comments to us by email at HalifaxElectricFlyers@outlook.com.

Brian

[JohnOSullivan]

Just a quick note that all posts should present FACTS. It is all these bullshit pontificatical half facts that are causing severe problems in solving the situation
1) the slope in Lawrencetown is 8.67 km from the "aerodrome" at Porters Lake. Who ever decided it was within 3 nm of the aerodrome needs to re-study grade school measurements. Too late at night to discuss this further, but this escalation of mindless nonsensical restriction has to stop.

[bdg]

John - I can assure you that this is all being taking seriously and certainly maintaining a positive and constructive dialogue would be best. If you have significant negative concerns, then please refrain from this public forum and reach out to us by email.

LT is close to Porter’s Lake South. That is the issue / concern.

Brian

[chodgkinson]

Hi John,

We're all feeling the frustrations of the loss of the Part IX exemption that we've enjoyed for the past few years. It's definitely proving to be quite challenging for us as pilots and for our club. Unfortunately this week the HEFA executive team were made aware of the fact that the paperwork we had already submitted to MAAC for re-sanctioning of the Lawrencetown site wasn't sufficient because the site was within 3nm of an aerodrome.

I just wanted to add a couple more pieces of information regarding Lawrencetown to this discussion so that everyone is aware of the situation.

Here is an excerpt from RPAS Wilco that identifies all of the aerodromes near Lawrencetown:

Here is another image from NRCs Drone Selection Tool that also defines the surrounding aerodromes in the vicinity of Lawrencetown:

As you can see the Porters Lake South Aerodrome is within 3nm of Lawrencetown which is why there are additional regulations with respect to RPAS flying at that site.

The team is currently reviewing these new requirements and working out the next steps.

As always please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns and we'll do our best to answer them.

Chris

[saboo]

TC rules are clear that from 250g to 25kg, RPAS flight is allowed including over the indicated aerodromes, in yellow, on the NRC Drone Tool. If another organization is making rules that differ significantly from government rules, then maybe that organization needs to review their rules. If not then persons can fly in compliance with TC rules and politely ignore such other organization, or that organization risks being irrrelevant.

Alternatively, as the Porter's Lake South waterdrome is only intermittently operated, possibly an application should be made to have them removed from the list of registered aerodromes.

[saboo]

To facilitate clubs preparing their documents for applying for a field SOC, attached is the guideline document for preparing the application.

This document gives a pathway for most clubs to prepare complete and accurate documents for their clubs applications. If members have any suggestions for their club executive, they may appreciate the help. There is a lot of work involved by the executive of clubs to finalize an application.

It is a welcome document and represents a significant amount of time and effort. We should extend our thanks to those involved.

UPDATE. Document appears to be too big to attach. Link is

https://secure.maac.ca/get_document.php?document_id=752

Save the document and review offline.

[saboo]

Good Day ALL.

The issue with Porter's Lake South water drome, and PL being an Aerodrome can possibly be simplified.

As stated waaay down this thread at RC Canada

https://www.rccanada.ca/rccforum/showth ... p?t=633643

a field can be used by following TC rules and NOT having an SOC for the field. The method is to NOT register the field as a field recognized by a national organization. The club would be listed as not having a field in that national organizations documentation. The club would still be a part of that national organization. Other members of that organization could fly as guests at PL.

However each flyer would have to follow the TC rules as specified. Each flyer would have to be a member in good standing of the national organization. The field could only be used with the owners permission. The field would have to meet the rules and guidelines of TC. The insurance provided by that national organization would cover the flyers personal liability while flying at the private property with the owners permission. This is a possible solution.

So I would suggest that all interesed persons study for, write and pass their license exam, join the national organization, and fly.

I would suggest that there is an option for the executive of HEFA to consider that they withdraw their application for an SOC for PL. Then the executive formalize safety rules for the users and get on with preparing the field for flying.

In this way, members can fly safely and legally. The rules are identical. The safety requirements are clearly defined in the CARs. The executive can formalize a document that clearly states such. Each user possibly has to sign a declaration that they have read and understand the rules and will abide by them.

The above suggestion, and it is only a polite suggestion, is formed from reading the rules, studying what others have done, and from using the NRC and NAV Canada flight planning tools. I would welcome comment after your consideration of the idea.

Jim Haliburton

[bdg]

Hello members of HEFA

Your Directors met last evening with a long list of items to review. One of the points of discussion related to the Lawrencetown site and the challenges with heavy public access from multiple directions. While any public site is difficult to control, there are special challenges specific to this site related to its proximity to the Porter’s Lake South aerodrome. MAAC has introduced, through the recent MPPD18 document, increased requirements to avoid potential interference with manned aircraft. Due to the Lawrencetown site being within 3nm of an aerodrome, MPPD18 requires that there be at least 3 miles of horizontal visibility, signage, minimum 1000’ cloud ceiling, etc. in addition to the Transport Canada regulations.

Based upon the above, we have made the unanimous decision to de-register the Lawrencetown site with MAAC from our approved list of fields under the HEFA umbrella.

Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.