FAQ

FAQs ~ Frequently Asked Questions

Question	Answer
1. When are meetings held?	PVMAC Club meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. at: Chino Community Building 5443 "B" Street Chino, CA 91710 Please join PVMAC Club meetings for refreshments and door prizes. A quorum makes everything easier for our club to function!
2. Do PVMAC flying fields have handicap access?	Yes. PVMAC has facilities at both fields to support the handicapped. We have a handicap pilot station that is wheelchair accessible, as well as handicap accessible outhouses.
3. What type of aircraft can I operate at Norton?	Non-turbine fixed wing and helicopters may fly at Norton. Helicopters and electrics fly on the runway. All aircraft must obey the 400 foot ceiling and no turbine aircraft can be flown.
4. What type of aircraft can I operate at Prado?	Non-turbine fixed wing and helicopters may fly at Prado. The main runway is for nitro, gas or electric fixed wing planes (electrics must be 40 size or larger) . We have designated areas for park fliers, less than 40 size, and all helicopters. All aircraft must obey the 400 foot ceiling and no turbine aircraft can be flown at anytime.
5. How many people can fly at the same time?	Five aircraft can be flown on the main runway at a time.
6. On average how much does a plane and radio cost to start?	You can buy a Ready To Fly trainer for under $400.00, depending on the size and components.
7. Should I start flying with electric or gas (nitro)?	It's a personal preference. A small electric foam plane can be just as, if not more, expensive as a nitro RTF trainer. It depends on where you have to fly. If you have access to a local school or park and electric is great. If you only want to fly at a field, then nitro would be the way to start. It's nice to have an electric for camping or a quick flight after work.
Membership FAQ's
8. What do I need to join PVMAC?	AMA membership, completed application, and payment of fees/dues.
9. Where can I find the applications?	CLICK HERE to go to the Membership Page
10. How much is an adult membership?	Non-refundable initiation fee of $120 is required for new memberships and yearly dues are $80 for a full year and $40 after June 30th.
11. How much does it cost for youth or junior adult?	For a youth membership you need to be under 18 and have a school ID. For a junior adult membership you need to be under 22 and have a school ID. The cost of either is $60 a year. No Initiation fee.
12. When can I start flying?	Once you receive your membership card. This can take up to three weeks. You can still fly by paying the $10 day fee until you get your card.
Guest FAQs
13. When are the fields open to the public?	Prado is closed to the public Monday through Friday. Members may bring guests during the week. Club member is responsible for guest at all times. On weekends Prado is open to the public from 9am-5pm. Norton must have a club member present for any guest fliers.
14. What is required of guest fliers?	1. Read and follow the club and AMA rules. 2. Do not exceed 400 feet ceiling. 3. Valid AMA card for frequency board. 4. Pay day fee. 5. Treat the field as you would your own. 6. Be courteous to our members.
15. Who is required to pay day fees?	Any non-member flying solo must pay the day fee of $10. No exceptions. Students on buddy boxes can fly at no charge. Please see a club member to purchase a pass.
16. My family member is from out of state and flies solo. Does he/she still have to pay a day fee?	Yes, the rules for day fees apply to all guest pilots at all times
17. Where do Day Fees go?	All collected day fees with a copy of the day pass must be turned in to the strong box at Prado or to the Treasurer. They are deposited into the general fund and help pay for club expenses.
18. Who collects day fees?	Any PVMAC member or Field Marshal can collect day fees. The receipt book is located in the small locked box next to the tan container. The guest is given the yellow copy for the frequency board, the pink remains in the book, and the white copy goes into the deposit slot on the tan container.
Training FAQs
19. Do I have to be a member to get training from PVMAC?	No. PVMAC allows anybody to fly at the field while training as long as THEY ARE ON A BUDDY BOX WITH A MEMBER OF THE CLUB. You do however need to be a member to solo (Fly by yourself).
20. Does PVMAC provide training for new fliers?	PVMAC does not provide training services as a club. However PVMAC members usually provide training for new members. Your local hobby store may provide training. Please join our club meeting or ask an available field marshal for more details.
21. How much is training?	Training costs are determined by an individual trainer.
22. How much training do I need before I can fly by myself?	It may take one to several training sessions. The ability to fly solo depends on how often you train. Away from the field a foamy or R/C computer plane simulator (G3) builds confidence and ability to fly solo.
Safety FAQs
23. What are the double yellow line on the runway for?	During a normal right to left take off, no rotations can be performed until the aircraft passes the double yellow lines. This is to prevent aircraft from accidentally entering the spectator or pits area.
24. Can I fly over the runway after take off?	No. All aircraft maneuvers must take place north of the runway after take off. The runway area is strictly for take offs, landings, and approaches. Pilot must announce "Taking off", "Landing", or "Approach" when doing so. Properly alerting other flyers when accessing the runway area help avoid collisions.
25. How do I retrieve crashed aircraft?	Notify a Field Marshal to coordinate air traffic. Advise others not to take off and wait until all aircraft have landed. Close the runway and retrieve crashed aircraft.
26. Who is responsible for knowing the rules?	All pilots are expected to be aware of the club and AMA rules.
27. Who is responsible for enforcing the rules?	All club members have the duty to ensure all rules and regulations are enforced.