Constitution – Wasatch Aero Modelers

CONSTITUTION – November 2023

ARTICLE 1: NAME and PURPOSE

Section 1.A: Name – The name of this club shall be ‘Wasatch Aero Modelers’ hereinafter to be referred to as ‘WAM’.

Section 1.B: AMA Affiliation – WAM is an affiliate of AMA and its governing authorities and rules. See the attached copy of the AMA By-laws at the end of this document as it is part of this document. The rules and regulations of the Academy of Model Aeronautics as incorporated shall be followed when not consistent with the rules and regulations of WAM.

Section 1.C: Location – On West Gentile, in Davis County, Utah. Legal description of the land is lots 0034, 0035 of section 27, T4N, R2W, Salt Lake Meridian, Davis County, Utah. WAM privately owns the flying field hereinafter referred to as Pitkin Field.

Section 1.D: Purpose – As a non-profit organization, the purpose of this club shall be:

1. Provide a safe, fun, friendly environment.
2. Promote Radio Controlled model aircraft activities.
3. Encourage the education and technical development of our youth through building and flying model aircraft.
4. Provide assistance, guidance, and training to all members and to develop building and flying skills.

ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP and DUES

Section II.A: Eligibility – Membership shall be open to persons with an active interest in radio control model aircraft. Persons who pledge to follow all rules and regulations outlined in these documents and upon payment of the dues as outlined in section II.B are encouraged to join and participate.

Section II.B: Dues – – Dues shall be as follows:

1. 1. Regular membership $200.00 per year
  2. Junior membership $15.00 per year
  3. AMA dues are required to be paid and current to be an active member of WAM,
    hereinafter to be referred to as Chapter Members.
  4. Field Marshal and web master(s) are waived the yearly dues for the year in which they
    serve (see section III.A & III.B)
  5. All other auxiliary officers and Committee/board members pay regular member dues.
  6. Dues and one-time joining fee may be changed from time to time.

Section II.C: Classes of Membership – WAM membership types are as follows:

1. 1. Regular – Pilots who have reached their 19th birthday prior to January 1st of the current year.
  2. Junior – Pilots who have not reached their 19th Birthday prior to January 1st of the current year.

Section II.D: Membership Requirements – WAM membership requirements:

1. 1. WAM members must have a current AMA membership and be current in their WAM
    Dues (See section II.B)
  2. Dues shall be paid yearly, covering January 1st to December 31st.
  3. Dues are due before flying that year.

ARTICLE III: OFFICERS and ELECTIONS

Section III.A Executive Officers – The Executive Board consists of the following:

1. President
2. Vice President
3. Secretary
4. Treasurer
5. Safety Officer

The 5 Executive Board members shall have official voting rights at the officer meetings with the president only exercising his voting right in case of a tie of the other four.

Section III.B: Auxiliary Officers – The auxiliary officers may be elected at the needs of the club with majority vote of the executive officers / club members as deemed necessary by the Executive Board and may consist(but not limited to) the following:

1. Field Marshal
2. Assistant Field Marshal
3. Training Officer
4. Events Director
5. Web Master

Section III.C: Eligibility – Officers must be WAM club and AMA members in good standing with a desire to serve.

Section III.D: Officer Elections, Nominations and Voting – The officers shall be elected by majority vote by a count of all WAM Chapter members wishing to vote. Nominations for all officers shall be submitted between November 1^st and November 15^th via e-mail and or the WAM website or letter mailed to the secretary. The top 3 nominees for each position will be placed on the ballot for voting. Voting will occur between November 20^th and the last day of November via email and/or the WAM website or a letter mailed to the secretary. All votes will be tallied up and results are to be announced in December (see section V.B & VII.B Nominating Committee).

Section III.E: Term – Executive Officers shall serve for 1 year with a term limit of 3 years for the President and Vice President. Their term of office shall begin January 1^st and terminate December 31^st. Auxiliary Officers shall serve for 1 year and their term of office shall begin January 1^st and terminate December 31^st.

Section III.F: Vacancy – If a vacancy occurs in the office of President, the Vice President shall assume the office for the remainder of the term. Vacancies in any other office shall be filled by a special election.

ARTICLE IV: DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS

Section IV.A: President – It shall be the duty of the President to:

1. 1. Preside at meetings
  2. Represent the club
  3. Vote only in case of a tie
  4. Appoint committee chairpersons subject to approval of the Executive Board
  5. Serve as an ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee
  6. Perform such other duties as ordinarily pertains to this office

Section IV.B: Vice President – It shall be the duty of the Vice President to:

1. 1. Preside in the absence of the President
  2. Serve as chairperson of the Program Committee

Section IV.C: Secretary – It shall be the duty of the secretary to:

1. 1. Record the meeting minutes of all meetings
  2. Keep a file of the club’s records
  3. Maintain a current roster of membership
  4. Issue notices of meetings and conduct the general correspondence of the club
  5. Incorporate any duly enacted amendments to the constitution and by-laws
  6. Assume the duties of the President in the absence of the President and Vice President
  7. Provide an update to all members at each meeting regarding membership numbers, any updates to the constitution and by-laws and any other items of business

Section IV.D: Treasurer – It shall be the duties of the treasurer to:

1. 1. Receive all funds and process request for payment, Deposit Slip, and Officer Signature Forms under the direction of the Executive Board.
  2. Keep an itemized account of all receipts and expenditures and provide reports as
  3. Provide an update to all members at each meeting regarding current account balances, expenditures, and any other item of financials needed.
  4. He shall dispense club funds as directed by the board of directors. Any expenditure of funds between $250 and $1500 must be approved by 3 members of the Board of Directors. Expenditure of funds in excess of $1500 must be approved by a two thirds (2/3) vote of those attending after proper notice to the general membership that a vote will be taking place.

Section IV.D: Safety Officer – It shall be the duty of the Safety Officer to:

1. 1. Develop, promote and encourage a climate of safety awareness within the club and to
    report all serious accidents to AMA
  2. Report to the club president (or in the absence of the president, the next highest ranking officer) those members who continuously and flagrantly disregard the safety of others by not following the rules as set forth in the by-laws.
  3. Provide an update to all members at each meeting regarding safety updates or requirements, any reportable accidents, any near-miss events that all members should be aware of for their own safety and any other items of safety needed.

Section IV.D: Field Marshal – It shall be the duty of the Field Marshal to:

1. 1. With the optional help from an assistant, shall be responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the flying field grounds, maintenance equipment, structures and buildings.
  2. Shall be responsible for organizing member volunteer work parties to maintain the grounds.
  3. Shall give the status of the flying facility at all meetings.
  4. Provide a report of all efforts under the direction of the executive officers.
  5. Provide an update to all members at each meeting regarding field status, any upcoming needs or events for field upkeep, any changes that the general membership is prudent to be aware of and any other field upkeep items needed.

Section IV.D: Assistant Field Marshal (Optional) – It shall be the duty of the Assistant Field Marshal to:

1. 1. Work under the direction of the Field Marshal to help with any duties, responsibilities or tasks deemed necessary by the Field Marshal.

ARTICLE V: MEETINGS

Section V.A: General Membership Meetings – Regular meetings shall be held at least four (4) times per year. Any action, decision, suggestion, or ideas that affect the general membership should be communicated with the Secretary so they may be discussed in the present meeting. However, voting and implementing these items shall not be legitimized in any general meeting (See section VIII.B).

Section V.B: Executive Board Election Meeting – To be held in November for ballot counting

Section V.C: Executive Board Meetings – The meeting shall be held under the direction of the president as deemed necessary to conduct business. Reasonable notice shall be given to all board members. Two thirds (2/3) board members must be present for any items to be legally transacted. Any action / decision that will affect the general membership are to be handled in this meeting.

SECTION V.D: Special Meetings – More meetings may be called as deemed necessary by either the President and/ or the Executive Board. Reasonable notice to all members shall be given. Notice shall be via e-mail, website, telephone, or any other method required.

ARTICLE VI: ACTIVITIES

Section VI.A: Purpose of Activities –
WAM shall engage in activities organized for radio controlled model aircraft and shall provide safe and fun activities with the purpose of helping to grow WAM membership and participation.

Section VI.B: Activity Voting – All the yearly organized activities shall be approved by two thirds (2/3) voting members attending the announced membership meeting. Some activities may be decided by the president and/or Executive Board.

Section VI.C: AMA Sanctioned Activities – Each club activity that is an AMA sanctioned event shall have an appointed contest director as outlined in the AMA handbook.

ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES

Section VII.A: Establishment of Committees – Committees shall be established and/or executed at the direction of the President and/or Executive Board. If the election of a committee is deemed necessary by the President and/or the Executive Board and will have an effect on the general membership, it must be voted upon and must have at least two thirds (2/3) majority vote by the general membership. In cases of time constraint or emergency, the President and/or Executive Board may name a committee as they deem necessary.

Section VII.B: Committee Meetings – Any executed committee must plan and attend regular meetings as deemed necessary in addition to the regular club meetings. At least one (1) Executive Board member or Auxiliary Board member must be present to help officiate.

Section VII.C: Assisting Committees – Assisting Committees are as follows:

1. 1. Constitution and By-laws Committee – Shall have at least three (3) members with one Chairperson. This committee shall be responsible for all changes and notifications of the Constitution and /or By-Laws. This committee works strictly under the direction of the President and Executive Board. This committee does not have the authority to make any decision pertaining to the WAM Constitution and By-Laws. This committee is intended to help compose and implement these decisions.
  2. Nominating Committee – Shall have at least three (3) members with one chairperson. This committee shall be responsible for organizing, notifying and gathering all data necessary to perform the nominating and voting processes (see section III.D).
  3. Program Committee – Shall have at least three (3) members with the Event Director as chairperson. This committee shall be responsible for all activities and events including but not limited to: Organizing, directing, and notifying all activities of the club.

ARTICLE VIII: AMENDMENTS and FORMAL VOTING

Section VIII.A: Amendment Levels and Types – The levels of amendments and decisions are as follows: (Note: if there are any disagreements regarding the decision levels it is the responsibility of the president to clarify and define the types.}

1. 1. Declarative decisions – Items that are legal/law binding, or in any other form not a voted upon decision, but an action that WAM must comply with by outside forces.
  2. Strategic decisions – Long term decisions that will impact the entire club and its future success. These decisions are to be made by all club officers and chapter members by formal voting with two thirds (2/3) majority vote by the general membership, either by meeting or e-mail.
  3. Tactical decisions – Decisions that are short term, narrowly focused, and should be made with the long term view in mind. These decisions are to be made by the Executive Board officers with two thirds (2/3) majority vote by the general membership.
  4. Operational decisions – These are the day to day items that affect the operations of the club. These decisions are to be made by the elected Executive Board Officers with two thirds (2/3) majority votes. It is recommended that the Field Marshal and Assistant Field Marshal are consulted on these items.

Section VIII.B: Formal Voting – All WAM members will be notified of items for vote. Voting will be open to all Chapter members at the general membership meetings. Items for vote shall be published on the WAM website and e-mailed out at least fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting.

Section VIII.C: Change Proposal – This is an official document that will be available on the WAM website and is available to all Chapter Members and is used to suggest any change to the clubs structure and bring any items that might be of concern to the officers attention. Note: This document may not be used to change any Declarative decisions (See Section VIII.A.1)

Section VIII.D: Constitution and By-Law Amendments – All items within the Constitution and By-Laws are considered Strategic decisions. Any and all changes, additions, alterations, or amendments should be considered critically before any action is taken. All Officers, Committee Chairpersons, and Chapter Members have equal voting rights. Any single entity and/or person within the WAM club do not have sole rights to make changes. Other than Declarative decisions, all other items must be executed only after the Formal voting method has been followed and a two thirds (2/3) majority vote by membership.

Section VIII.E: General Rules, Tactical or Operational Procedures – Any Chapter member may at any time submit a Change Proposal to any Executive officer. It shall also be accepted that any such item may be brought to the attention of the Executive Board members and/or general membership in any meeting. Any such items must be formalized with a Change Proposal before the Executive Board officers are to vote. This may be composed by the person proposing the change. No changes to the Constitution or By-Laws shall be considered with this method.

ARTICLE IX: DISSOLUTION and ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Section IX.A: Pitkin Field Ownership – Pitkin Field is owned by WAM. Pitkin Field shall not be sold or leased to any other party or entity without a 2/3 majority vote of the club membership.

Section IX.B: Notice – In the case of dissolution, all members shall receive advance notice at least fifteen (15) days prior to any official action.

Section IX.C: Knowledge of Constitution and BY-LAWS – All members of WAM must read and certify their complete understanding and agreement of the Constitution and By-Laws by signing their annual membership application Form.

BY-LAWSArticle I. Wasatch Aero Modelers By-Laws and any future amendments to the same, shall become effective upon adoption by a two thirds (2/3) majority vote by the general membership.

Article II. Membership Identification

All authorized club members shall be issued a club membership identification card annually and must be worn on their person when engaged in flying activities.

Article III. Flying Field Facilities

The flying field and its facilities are available for use by all club members for their use for model operations as long as there is no interference with pre-planned club activities. All members shall be responsible for the actions of their dependents and guests. They shall be responsible for cleaning up after themselves.

Article IV. Flying Field Maintenance

The flying field maintenance activities shall be under the direction of the Field Marshal. Operational use of the equipment such as riding lawn mowers must be authorized by the field marshal. Riding mowers shall only be utilized by senior members.

Article V. Flying Field Privileges

Privileges to use the flying field is accorded to all members equally, except those that continuously and flagrantly disregard the rights and safety of others, which becomes a matter of prime concern to the club and its membership. Any Executive Board member may deny flying privileges for a period of one day. No member may act subversive or try to take over the field for their own use or engage in activities which violate The Wasatch Aero Modelers constitution and/or the By-Laws. The club shall be required to take action against the offending individual. Every effort shall be made to make this action corrective and positive. The first time offense shall be a verbal warning. The second offense shall require a written notice to the individual. The third may include the denial of flying field use or revocation of club membership.

The denial of flying field use or revocation of club membership shall only be used as a last resort to protect the rights and safety of others. A committee shall be assigned to study and evaluate the case against the offending member and shall issue a recommendation to the board of directors who shall issue a course of action based on the committee’s findings. The club shall honor the committee’s recommendation without referral to all club members unless the recommendation is for the revocation or denial of club membership.

If the recommendation is for revocation or denial of club membership a special meeting shall be called and the committee shall present their reasons for the findings and recommendation to the Board of Directors . The vote shall be taken with the majority of active members present for a concurrence to deny privileges or revocation of club membership. The offender shall not be allowed to participate in any action pertaining to his case. If the recommendation includes denial or revocation the member will be allowed to plead his case to the membership prior to any vote by the membership.

Article VI. Visiting Pilots

Pitkin Field is a private field that is available for use by members of The Wasatch Aero Modelers club and their guests unless this privilege has been denied by Article V of the By-Laws. All visiting pilots using Pitkin Field for the purpose of flying model aircraft must be a current member of the Academy of Model Aeronautics. All visiting pilots must be accompanied by a member of the Wasatch Aero Modelers club. Local visiting pilots (i.e. Davis, Weber, and Salt Lake counties) may fly for a maximum of three flying days. After the three days they will be required to join the club. The exception to the three day limit is if an invitational fun Fly is scheduled and open to all AMA members.

Article VII. New Pilot Qualification

All pilots new to flying or new to Pitkin Field shall be checked out by a senior member who shall include flying safety and a demonstration of flying skills. See below for safety demonstration information.

Article VIII. Flying Field Rules and Committee Guidelines

The Wasatch Aero Modelers Club shall establish, enforce and maintain at Pitkin Field a Document Known as The Flying Field Rules. All persons using Pitkin Field shall be subject these rules. These rules are non-discriminatory and are designed to promote safety and sportsmanship. The Flying Field Rules shall be subject to review by a committee on an annual Basis. The committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors. Supplemental reviews may be held at any time the Board of Directors deems necessary.

These By-laws may be amended at any quarterly meeting by a 2/3 vote of members in attendance.

Article IX. Frequency Control

The Wasatch Aero Modelers shall maintain Frequency Boards located at the East and West side of the flying field for the 72 mhz and 2.4 ghz transmitters. All pilots using Pitkin Field shall attach their membership card to themselves and their AMA card to the appropriate pin when flying with a 72 mhz transmitter. Pilots using 2.4 ghz transmitters may attach their membership card on their person. The frequency Board shall have a properly numbered pin for each of the 72mhz frequencies allocated for use in model aircraft by the Federal Communications Commission. The frequency control board shall be used to prevent two or more 72mhz transmitters operating on the same frequency at the same time. The frequency control shall be run on the honor system. The individual pilot shall not turn on their 72mhz transmitter unless their AMA club card is attached to the proper frequency pin for the transmitter being used. The frequency Control Board upkeep and maintenance shall be the responsibility of the Field Marshal.

GLOSSARY

AMA – An acronym of the Academy of Model Aeronautics Inc.

Chapter Members – (i.e. Members in good standing) Any person who has fulfilled the requirements for membership, including all dues and payments, and who neither has voluntarily withdrawn from membership nor has been expelled or suspended from membership after appropriate proceedings consistent with lawful provisions of the constitution and By-Laws of the WAM club.

Dues – The payment of money made by members of WAM. Dues are the cost of membership and are used to fund the various activities, equipment, supplies, facility, etc…..

General Member – any person that is a member of the WAM club other than those comprising the Executive Board officers, Auxiliary Officers, or any committee member. This body constituted the majority of membership.

Pitkin Field – The name of the flying field owned by WAM.

WAM – An acronym of the “Wasatch Aero Modelers”. This is the name of the club.

Flight Safety Rules

All WAM pilots must complete a certification flight that demonstrates the basic skills necessary to
operate their aircraft in a safe manner.
All flight operations must be conducted south of the east-west entrance road fence at the north end
of the airfield. ONLY large aircraft may fly up to 150 feet past the east-west fence on final approach when landing from the north due to unsafe wind conditions.
Pilots who have not completed the certification flights and provided a signed certificate to the club safety officer are required to fly with a spotter who is a certified pilot. The spotter must be at the flight line with the pilot. The spotter should help the pilot gain skill and judgement as needed and should particularly help the pilot avoid flight north of the east-west entrance road fence at the north end of the field.
The safety fences and areas north of the east and west pavilions are not to be used as pilot stations for controlling aircraft. Approved pilot stations are being shifted south and are only allowed at the safety
fences starting in front of and to the south of the main E or W pavilions. Pilots may stage and use the pit area north of the pavilion, but must fly from a pilot station in front of or south of the pavilion.
Pilots are strongly encouraged to take off to the south and approach their landing from the south unless there are unsafe contrary winds. Taking off to the north or landing from the north should only be done into a head wind that presents dangers in take-off/landing flight from the south.
Maiden flights MUST take off to the south and land from the south. The first flight of any new or new-to you airplane, or any airplane which has been repaired or which has had any change to its airframe,
equipment, or radio is considered a maiden flight.
East-west flight to the south of the pits area and safety fences is permitted, but must be clearly announced. East-west landing across the runway to the south of the pits area and safety fences is also permitted. This flight pattern can be considered when there is an east or west wind to allow safely taking off and landing into a head wind. This flight pattern must not conflict with other pilots in a north-south flight pattern.
Any crash at or north of Gentile and any crash in an occupied: parking lot, spectator area, pavilion, pits area, and pilot stations will be reviewed by the club officers and safety committee. Deliberately reckless behavior will also be reviewed by the safety committee. The safety committee will prepare an incident report and recommendations in response to the incident. Pilots under review by the safety committee may not fly until the review, report, and recommendations have been issued.
Student pilots are required to fly under the supervision of a WAM qualified instructor who has passed the club flight certification requirements. The instructor must be at the flight line with the student pilot. The student pilot must demonstrate good judgement and the ability to safely pilot an airplane and keep an airplane in a designated flight area. Student pilots should demonstrate these skills in several solo flights before becoming certified and then being allowed to fly without an instructor.
Visitors flying at a club event or at the invitation of a club member are not required to complete flight certification. Visitors must be made aware of and comply with the flight boundaries and pilot rules. Visitors
shall use a WAM spotter.

Flight Certification Instructions

1. Flying Facility

a. All pilots and student pilots using this facility must be a valid WAM club member and a current member of AMA. All guest pilots must have a current AMA Membership.

b. Flying under the influence or having alcoholic beverages or drugs at this facility is prohibited.

c. Absolutely no unsupervised children allowed in the pit area or on the runway.

d. All pets will be leashed or supervised at Pitkin Field including removing their droppings.

e. Do not litter the area. If you pack it in pack it out. The burn barrel is for burnable trash only.

f. Cars, trucks, motorcycles, ATV’s, and snowmobiles are restricted to the roads and parking areas.

2. Use of Flying Facility East and West Pilot Stations

a. All pilots prior to flying their models shall have reviewed and understand and comply with the requirements of the posted Flying Field Rules and flying field layout and boundaries.

b. Flying from both sides of the flying field at the same time is strictly prohibited.

Suggested times are as follows:

Summer Time, the flying field east side shall be used April 1^st through August 31^st from sun up until 3:00pm. After 3:00pm the flying field west side shall be used.

Winter Time, the flying field East side shall be used November 1^st through March 31^st from sun up until 2:00pm. After 2:00pm the flying field west side shall be used

The times may be mutually agreed upon between all pilots flying.

In case of weather or field safety concerns, it may require restricting flying from east or west, or from suggestions from the flyers, the side of the field to fly on will be decided by a majority vote of the flyers.

3. Transmitter Frequency Control

a. All transmitters and frequencies of transmitters used shall be valid AMA equipment and frequencies.

b. All pilots using Pitkin Field to fly model aircraft must adhere to the flying field frequency control board instructions and attach their AMA membership card to the frequency control board.

c. Pilots using 72 MHz transmitters must call out their frequency to ensure it is clear.

d. At completion of their flight, pilots shall return the frequency pin to the frequency control board and pick up their AMA membership card.

e. Frequencies shall be on a shared basis to ensure all pilots have a chance to fly.

4. Model Aircraft Set-up and Checkout

a. Pilots are strongly urged to use the clubs model safety benches for starting and testing their models for safety reasons. Exception to this is large scale models that won’t fit on the benches.

b. Pilots with models too large to use the safety benches shall set up their models in the pit area adjacent to a pilot safety barrier opening. Pilots shall hand hold their models while taxiing in pit area.

c. There shall be no excessive noise caused by lengthy engine runs in the pit area.

d. If the engine being used was supplied with a muffler, it shall be used or a suitable after-market device is installed on the engine.

5. Model Aircraft Flight

a. For safety concerns we strongly encourage all members to act responsibly and make the club Safety Officer aware of all flight safety problems that occur or may pose a safety issue for members.

b. All safety incidents shall be reported on the WAM club safety incident report form. Forms are available in the frequency control board enclosures.

c. It is strongly encouraged all pilots use a safety observer or spotter while flying.

d. For safety concerns it is strongly encouraged that all pilots maintain good flight safety conditions by communicating their flight intentions with fellow pilots. When taxing out for takeoff, preparing to land, or having problems in the air, announce it. Pay attention to announcements while flying, yield the right of way to landings.

e. Models started and checked out on a club model safety bench shall be hand carried to the taxi area forward of the pilot barrier.

f. Taxiing of models behind the pilot barrier fence is prohibited.

g. You shall not keep your model on the runway for an excessive amount of time. Helicopter pilots shall not make extended hovering flights while other aircraft are in the air.

h. All take-offs, landings, and flights shall be made in front of the twenty five (25) foot safety line. Intentional flights behind the twenty five (25) foot safety line are prohibited.

i. Hand-launched models shall be launched from the taxi area, in a direction from and pointed in a direction so the model flies away from the Pit area.

j. Flying low level over a person on the runway or a person or car on the opposite side of the flying field is prohibited.

k. Pilots flying a new model or repaired model, should use common courtesy and notify all pilots that they are going to fly the model for the first time.

6. Flight Training

a. All flight training and hands on demonstration flights shall be performed with a Trainer Buddy Box System.

7. Helicopters

a. Pilots flying helicopter model aircraft shall operate beyond the twenty five (25) foot safety line and use the designated helicopter pad locations and shall fly in the airspace as shown on the posted helicopter safe flying layout.

8. Turbine Aircraft

a. Turbine powered aircraft shall not operate or fly out of Pitkin Field.

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