Rules, Regulation and Information for Operators in English

[madrulzzz]

I am an RC Fixed wing Pilot from India who loves flying pusher gliders like the Bixler and Ranger. I moved to Sweden 3 years ago, but finally started flying in Sweden only this year. I am part of the Mölndal Model Flight Club (https://mmflyg.se/)

One of the reasons it took me two years to finally start flying in Sweden is that I struggled to get all the information I needed in English to start flying in Sweden (or EU). Yes the websites like EASA and SMFF or RCFF are available in English or can be translated to English using Google translate. But there is some information that you can't. For Example, the Membership rules document you get from Cardskipper after you join RCFF, which is a scanned PDF document in English.

I have travelled through these challenges and want to make it easier for the future Operators. I will start by posting the Membership rules Jointly determined by the Swedish Model Aviation Association (SMFF) and Swedish RC-aviation federation (RCFF) in English.

Please note that I have made use of Image based Translation Services and Chat-GPT to get these translated and formatted. So if there are any discrepancies, I hope some of the Senior members will highlight them.

Also, none of the information in this thread should be considered as legal advise. We are not lawyers, just hobbyists trying to help each other. Common sense should always prevail.

Happy Flying!

[madrulzzz]

The rules apply from January 1, 2021.

General
These safety rules apply to model pilots affiliated with the RCFF or SMFF, either directly or indirectly through membership of a model flying club. Even visiting model pilots from another country can conduct model flights in accordance with these rules, provided that there is a membership in a recognized model flying organization in the home country, that the visiting model pilot holds liability insurance for model flying activities and is registered as an operator in accordance with current legislation (EU 2019/947).

The safety rules apply to model flight operations with radio-controlled aircraft (hereinafter referred to as model) which are conducted at model airfields approved by the Swedish Transport Agency. If local field regulations exist, these must also be followed. However, the security rules are always superior to the local field rules.

• For flights with a model on site that has not been approved by the Swedish Transport Agency, the flight may take place in accordance with the Swedish Transport Agency's regulations for unmanned aircraft. (reference: https://www.transportstyrelsen.se/sv...ighet/dronare/ and EU 2019/947).
• For free-flying models, these safety rules apply with the exception of the points relating to the pilot's manoeuvring of the model through radio control and the design of the radio equipment.

Liability insurance
Model pilots affiliated with SMFF or RCFF as well as students undergoing training or test-flying are covered by the respective organization's liability insurance for model flights if the flight takes place from model airfields approved by the Swedish Transport Agency in accordance with these safety rules and local safety rules, if any. The insurance also applies to model flying from locations other than approved model airfields if the flight takes place in accordance with these safety rules and the Swedish Transport Agency's regulations for unmanned aircraft according to the above reference.

Operator registration and marking of the model.

• Members 18 years of age or older must register as an operator with the Swedish Transport Agency to obtain a personal operator ID. This must be clearly visible on the model. For members younger than 18, a club can assume operator responsibility for these members by registering the club as an operator with the Swedish Transport Agency. The club's operator ID is shared with the members who are younger than 18 years, and their models must then be marked with the club's operator ID as well as the individual member's name and telephone number.
• For cases where the club does not have the opportunity to register as an operator, there is an opportunity for a member older than 18 years to act as a sponsor for a member younger than 18 years. Whoever takes on sponsorship allows their operator ID to also be used on the mentee's models, which must then also be marked with the pilot's name and phone number.

The purpose of the marking is to enable tracking in the event of activity contrary to the Swedish Transport Agency's approval in accordance with Article 16.

Personal responsibility
It is each person's personal responsibility to obtain knowledge of applicable regulations, including local safety rules and restrictions, before model flying takes place. It is also everyone's personal responsibility that the model aircraft equipment is in such a condition and is used in such a way that the risk of damage to people, animals, and property is minimized as far as is reasonably possible.

• All model flying must be conducted with the observance of common-sense regarding safety, taking into account, among other things, the type, weight, and speed of the model. If there is any doubt about flight safety, refrain from flying.
• For members under the age of 18, it is the club's or the sponsor's operator's responsibility to be responsible for adequate education and training until the member can be allowed to fly independently and that the club or the sponsor then provides mentoring until the time when the member can obtain their own operator ID.

Incidents that caused damage or risk of damage to third parties must be reported in the Swedish Transport Agency's system for "drone" incidents and documented locally.

Model and equipment

• Model flying may normally be conducted with models weighing a maximum of 25 kg.
• At model airfields that have been deemed suitable in the application to TS and approved for flying with models weighing more than 25 kg, flying may also take place with heavier models. Models heavier than 25 kg must have duplicated primary systems. This includes, among other things, dual receivers, dual battery systems, at least two servos per primary rudder, etc. Models heavier than 25 kg must have been reviewed and technically reviewed by another experienced model builder. This should be done before the test flight and after major repairs or modifications. The inspection must be documented in the simplest way and the documentation taken to the model airfield when the model is flown.
• Flying must take place with radio equipment suitable for the purpose and on frequency bands permitted by the Norwegian Post and Telecommunications Agency for model flights, i.e. The 35 MHz and 2.4 GHz bands. The output power of radio transmitters may not exceed that permitted by the Swedish Post and Telecommunications Board.
• Models weighing more than 7 kg must be equipped with a "fail-safe" which, in the event of the loss of radio contact, where appropriate, stops or pulls the engine to idle and sets rudder surfaces so that the model is brought to land. Even for lighter models, the use of "fail-safe" is recommended.
• Range tests should, if possible, be carried out before the first flight of the day. Before each flight, the model must be checked so that it is flight safe, which means, among other things, that the model does not show damage of importance to flight safety and that no details can come loose during flight. Check that the batteries of the radio equipment have sufficient charge for flight and that the correct model memory is selected in the transmitter.
• Free-flying models weighing more than 250 g must be equipped with technology that makes it possible to interrupt the flight at any time manually or automatically after a maximum of 180 seconds. In sanctioned competitions, other maximum times may occur.
• For all operations with turbine-driven models, a fire extinguisher with at least classification 34B, for example, a 2 kg carbon dioxide extinguisher, must be available.

Flight
Flying may only take place within the flight area specified in the Swedish Transport Agency's permit for the model airfield. Flight must take place within line of sight, which means that the distance between the pilot and the model must never be greater than the pilot can safely control and manoeuvre the model without visual aids other than glasses/contact lenses.

• In cases where flying takes place with autonomous control systems, these must be designed so that the pilot can regain manual control of the model at any time.
• When flying in the dark, the model must be equipped with lighting arranged as such a way that the model's position and direction of travel can be clearly perceived.
• Maximum flight height is 120 meters above ground/water unless permission from the Swedish Transport Agency or local air traffic control allows a higher flight height.
• For model airfields located within control and flight information zones, other altitude restrictions may apply.
• Model flights must give way to all manned aircraft that may enter the flight area.
• If flying, with permission from the Swedish Transport Agency or local air traffic control, takes place at an altitude above 120 m, it is recommended that an observer monitoring the surrounding airspace assists the pilot. The flight must be planned so that the flight altitude can be changed without delay to maintain a safe altitude separation from manned aircraft that may enter the flight area
• FPV flying is permitted within the airspace. In cases where the pilot cannot directly observe the model, for example due to the use of video glasses/goggles, an observer who can constantly see the model and monitor the surrounding airspace must be present. If necessary, the observer must draw the pilot's attention to relevant environmental factors.

Flight safety precautions

• Do not fly over or near buildings, streets, roads, pedestrian, and cycle paths. Ensure that all flying takes place so that the risk of injury to people, animals, and property is minimized as far as is reasonably possible.
• If several models are flown at the same flightline, the pilots must position themselves so that they can communicate with each other. Several flight lines with separate flight areas can be established. Take-off and landing must always be announced by the pilot shouting "I'm taking off" or "I'm landing".
• Landing models have priority over other model flights. Landing glider models take precedence over powered models. Hovering with models must not take place near spectators or other pilots. Flying over pit areas, parking, or spectators is prohibited.
• When flying, it is forbidden to enter an active runway unless permission has been obtained from the flying pilots. On the ground, models must be taxied in such a way that the risk of damage to the surroundings is minimized as far as is reasonably possible.

Depot area regulations
Charging is prohibited within the depot area. For all engine runs in the depot, the model must be anchored.

Miscellaneous rules
Never fly under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medications that can adversely affect attention and reaction ability. These rules are part of the basis for the approval of RCFF and SMFF and participating local clubs according to Article 16. For models weighing less than 250 grams and not equipped with a camera, no operator ID or drone card is needed. Maximum flight height is 120 meters unless special restrictions apply at the location in question. The model must not fly faster than 19 m/s.

References

• The Swedish Transport Agency: https://www.transportstyrelsen.se/en...nned-aircraft/
• Mail and telephone board: https://www.pts.se/
• http://www.modellflygforbund.se/
• http://www.rcflyg.se
• The field register: https://www.faltregister.se

[madrulzzz]

[kjni]

Hi Madhav,

Welcome to this forum and RCFF. Thanks for your work translating our rules to English. This has been om my to-do list for quite some time together with updating the info about rc-flying in Sweden published om the EMFU web page.

You can find the EMFU and the info about Sweden here: https://emfu.eu/regulation/implementation/sweden
The overview is outdated but we have an updated version on Fältregistret:
https://www.faltregister.se/wp-conte...4_overview.pdf
There is no big difference between your translated version and the one published on Fältregistret.

The translated rules are quite good and after a quick read through i found some minor things in need of change. I'll give it a a more thorough check and report back to you.

The plan is to update all of the info on the EMFU site and put it on Fältregistret under an English section there and put a link to that section from EMFU. The aim is to have info in only one place to make it easier to maintain.

With your permission I would like to use the work you have done for the new section on Fältregistret. I would also very much appreciate further contact with you on the subject how to provide good info on RC-flying in Sweden in English.

Best regards!
Kjell Nilsson
Admin Fältregistret
kjni@mac.com

[madrulzzz]

You can find the EMFU and the info about Sweden here: https://emfu.eu/regulation/implementation/sweden
The overview is outdated but we have an updated version on Fältregistret:
https://www.faltregister.se/wp-conte...4_overview.pdf

This is some great information on the EMFU website, I wish I had come across this earlier. Thank you for sharing this here.

The plan is to update all of the info on the EMFU site and put it on Fältregistret under an English section there and put a link to that section from EMFU

This is great, it makes all the sense to have the information in one place. It will make sure everyone has access to the updated information. I am glad that there is an effort to make information available in English.

With your permission I would like to use the work you have done for the new section on Fältregistret. I would also very much appreciate further contact with you on the subject how to provide good info on RC-flying in Sweden in English.

Yes of course, You have the permission to use it. I have also sent you a DM, let's be in touch.

[Thomas]

Excellent job, Madhav!