RULES: AMA, PARK & CLUB

Lake Poway Skimmers Flying Rules

January 2016
Revised Dec 2025

General: Only current members of this club are authorized to use Lake Poway for the purpose of flying radio controlled model seaplanes. The Club’s operations are normally conducted on Monday afternoons (twice monthly). Operation of model aircraft/components for any purpose outside of the authorized period is prohibited. These rules are necessary for the safety of our members as well as the general public and neccessary to preserve insurance coverage and our continued use of Lake Poway. Our use of this facility is a privilege, not a right, so each member is responsible for complying with the AMA Safety Code, these rules and the enforcement of all rules. Failure to comply with the AMA Safety Code, rules/regulations established by this club and/or the City of Poway Community Services Department shall be considered cause for revocation of club membership and expulsion. Keep in mind that the people of Poway drink the lake water. We are guests in this beautiful park and we don’t want to do anything to wear out our welcome!

 

AMA Rules

1. A current club membership badge must be displayed on your hat or outside of your clothing to fly. No badge NO-FLY. No guest flying is permitted at the site.
2. Although predominate equipment of choice with our membership is 2.4 GHz the use of 72MHz equipment is permitted. Frequency separation shall be the responsibility of each pilot participant using 72MHz to avoid channel use overlap and to permit orderly pilot rotation when 72 MHz equipment is in use.
3. All aircraft must carry the owner’s name, address, phone number plus their AMA and FAA ID number in or on the Aircraft. All aircraft must meet current AMA rules and standards.

4. Any pilot that is observed to be “under the influence” of alcohol or any substance, legal or illegal shall not be permitted to operate models. When consumption of alcoholic beverages is permitted by the Park Rules, then that consumption is permitted in the spectator area and by pilots who have finished flying for the day. NEVER on the pier or in the pits area.

5. Proactive noise abatement is required in the pits and while flying. Although engine run-ups and silencers are addressed in Club Rules below optimum propeller/engine/silencer combinations must be found to reduce noise levels to or below AMA standards.

6. Club members are expected to conduct themselves in a courteous fashion at all times. We are goodwill ambassadors for Model Aviation.

 

PARK RULES

1. Flight operations cannot start until the site has been properly setup and permission to fly has been given by the Field Marshal. The Field Marshal and/or acting (must be a club officer) will be responsible for guaranteeing area has been setup as required. Members are encouraged to assist in site setup as directed by the Field Marshal. At least two club members must be present for flight operations and one must be a Field Marshal or acting (Club Officer). You cannot run engines in the pits area or fly alone. Flying site must be clearly designated delineated space encompassing the fishing pier and adjoining beach area as required. All associated flight operations must be performed in this area and all flying is to be performed east of the end of the fishing pier.

2. If refueling aircraft generates an overflow of fuel, use a catch-bottle or a rag to prevent fuel spills in the park. Do not dispose of fuel, oils or batteries at the park. No toxic or hazardous products shall be disposed of at the park. In general we shall leave nothing behind that is not normal trash in the park trash containers.

3. The pilots that are flying are required to have a ‘buddy’(club member) standing at his/her side acting as a spotter anytime there is boating/work activity underway anywhere on the lake. Boats have the right-of-way at all times so low passes, take-off and landings in their immediate vicinity are strictly prohibited! If in doubt, hold well away clear of the area. 
4. The Field Marshal and/or acting (must be club officer) will be responsible for guaranteeing that the park is in the same orderly condition that it was before we used the facilities. Also, that the retrieval boat is returned and secured to the boat dock and all club equipment is properly stored. Members are encouraged to assist in site setup and take down as directed by the Field Marshal. For safety reasons we ask that at least one other member is present during site setup and break down.
5. No body contact with the water and/or wading or swimming.
6. In boats, youths under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
7. Chasing wildlife on the land, water or in the air is prohibited.
8. No animals within l00′ of the lake. Dogs on 6′ ft. max leash.
9. No loud/unusual noises.
10. Park roads and parking lot speed limit is 10 MPH.
11. Place trash in trash receptacles.
12. To be under the influence of intoxicants or drugs is prohibited.
13. Members should be thinking SAFETY FIRST at all times for themselves, other members and the general public at large.

14. Members need to drain and dry their model aircraft before leaving.  This was requested by City to help prevent the spread of mussels (that are present even in Lake Poway) to other bodies of water.

 

CLUB RULES

Generally any fixed wing electric or glow aircraft that meets AMA standards and rules is allowed to fly at the lake. Turbine or rocket powered aircraft are not permitted at the lake. Helicopters and quadcopters (drone aircraft of any kind) are also excluded from flying at the site. The Field/Safety Marshal present at the flying session has final say on all aircraft flight operations (including fly or no-fly decisions) at the site.

1. Flight operations are to be conducted as line of sight over the water only and east of the end of the pier. Only two aircraft shall be airborne at any time and the two pilot flight stations are located at the end of the fishing pier. Never over fly the fishing pier, boat dock, pit area or the spectator picnic hill area just west of the fishing pier. NO MANEUVERS TOWARD the hill are allowed. This includes TAKE-OFF, AEROBATICS, LANDINGS (including Dead Stick, which have the right-of-way). Do your aerobatics maneuvering perpendicular to and well east of the Fishing Pier. On take-off runs, lift-off is permitted ONLY AFTER passing the end of the fishing pier. LANDINGS are only conducted east of a line perpendicular to the end of the fishing pier. Flight times have 10 minutes MAX with a MAX altitude of 400ft. When low flying aircraft intrude into our airspace all club RC activities shall remain well clear and aircraft must be landed ASAP.

2. Engines shall be equipped with an effective muffler/silencer. Straight pipes, Flow-through Devices, are prohibited. Extensive engine maintenance and engine run-ups other than last minute needle valve tweaking, will NOT be done at the site due to the limited facilities, close quarters, proximity of spectators and the need for noise abatement. Those problems are to be solved elsewhere! All engines starts and runs will be controlled by your radio system. Before starting engines clear your tune-up area of spectators, 8-10ft. in front of and 20ft. in the rotational plane is normally sufficient. Ensure that the aircraft is tailed toward to water prior to starting to avoid blowing sand and dirt

3. Prior to starting fly operations you must ensure you have exclusive use of frequency channel used by your XMTTR before turning it on if not using 2.4 GHz equipment. Do not operate your XMTTR outside of flight/pit area (i.e. parking lot).

4. A pre-flight radio and control surface direction/operation check shall be made before each flight.

5. Never fly alone at the site. The presence of at least two club members in the delineated area are required before flying may commence. The Flying Site setup must be deemed complete by the Field Marshal and/or acting (must be club officer) before engine start or any R/C activities commence.

6. Clear delineation markers shall be placed at the entrance to the fishing pier and around the area where pilots and planes are located.  Markers shall have a simple message warning to use caution beyond the sign.

7. The use of “Buddy Cords” is permitted, member to member if a member desires some assistance on a particular aspect of flight. Both members shall agree beforehand that should the model become damaged the member acting as instructor is not at fault.

8. A retrieval boat is available for the purpose for retrieving aircraft unable to return to pit area under its own power. Any member may use the boat provided he/she has been previously instructed on its safe operation. If a member has any reservation about using the boat he/she can request another member or Field Marshal for assistance.  The boat shall be returned to the rental dock after each use.  At no time shall the boat touch the shoreline.

9. Deleted.

10. While there is no guest flying, a sponsored AMA member may fly at the site for the purpose of considering membership with the Lake Poway Skimmers.

11. Members need to drain and dry their model aircraft before leaving.  This was requested by City to help prevent the spread of mussels (that are present even in Lake Poway) to other bodies of water.

 

RC BOAT OPERATING RULES

Model boats of any kind are not allowed on the lake.

 

******* Rules and regulations are not a substitute for common sense *******

******* Safety first Always *******

 

*        For emergency service call 911 and indicate the pier location address as

Fishing Dock, Lake Poway
14656 Lake Poway Rd.
Poway CA. 92064

Note: Please notify Lake Poway park staff/ranger after calling 911.

*        Other problems or concerns encountered on lake park grounds including parking areas and trails should be immediately reported to lake park staff or park ranger ASAP.

Lake Poway park staff      (858) 668 1231
Lake Poway park ranger  (858) 967-1354

Note:  Leave message(s) if direct contact cannot be made at either number above.
           Please call park staff first then park ranger.

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