Introduction 5P

With these guidelines for a briefing on the slope, we’re following up on the article from the last issue, “Accident Prevention and Influencing Behavior in Model Aviation.” The discussion about safety and conduct is never-ending; the topic remains with aviators of all disciplines as long as they fly. However, our ideas, agreements, and rules are tested against reality—out in the field while flying together.

The following checklist is a guide on how to ensure a safe and enjoyable day of flying. It is intended for the pilot conducting the briefing and also serves as a summary for all pilots.

Why 5P? – With five pilots or more, any airspace becomes so heavily used that each individual must pay significantly greater attention, and it’s no longer possible to fly around as carefree as when, for example, the same two or three friends are racing each other on the local slope. Five points is the maximum number of topics that can reasonably be covered without unnecessarily delaying the eagerly anticipated flying and without overloading one’s memory.

In my view, the first point—the greeting—is the most important: We all want to do everything we can to ensure that everyone has a fantastic day of flying!

- Hi everyone, good morning, hello pilots, buon giorno cari piloti, bonjour pilotes.
- We all want to enjoy a wonderful, cool, and unclouded day together.
- To ensure this is possible even when several pilots—5 or more—are sharing the airspace at the same time, we’ll hold a briefing as recommended by the Swiss Model Flying Association.
- It’s important that everyone attends; it takes about 10 minutes to cover the 5P, the 5 points.
- This is about the safety of us pilots, spectators, and passersby, as well as our models in the air.

- All pilots stay close enough together that we can hear each other clearly, even when it's windy.
— Except during takeoff and landing. We announce both of these in advance, loud and clear.

- We make announcements loud and clear. They stand out from the usual background noise
.- Takeoff: “May I take off?”—get the OK from each pilot. Otherwise, do not take off.
—“Takeoff” is called out by the pilot or the person assisting with the takeoff.
—Landing: “I’m about to land” is the first announcement when the model is still high in the air. Pilots may speak up to land earlier or to make a quick flyby.
—Continuing to fly after this announcement is not permitted.
—“I’m landing.” The pilot landing can now proceed without having to avoid other aircraft during the approach.
— “I have to land” is the phrase to use when there is no other option.

—The model must be carried off the runway immediately. Then announce: “Runway clear!”—
Quick flybys with a run-up: “I’m coming from (place name).” Clearly state all place names (towns, mountain names). No more than four. One indicates the direction from the front, 90 degrees toward the slope. “Bangladesh” is used to announce an approach from below to directly above. If the flyby is followed by additional maneuvers, the pilot then announces, “I’m off.”
—“Landing area is clear” is the announcement made when the pilot has landed his model and returned it to the preparation area. Only then may the next pilot land or fly low past the area.

- We maintain a distance of at least 20 meters from everyone—whether they’re flying, not flying, watching, or walking by.
- A circuit flight means flying 360-degree circles around the pilot’s location. As soon as there are 4 or more pilots in the air, we refrain from doing this because it distracts the others and restricts their flying maneuvers.

- Today, we will follow these rules to the letter.
- We apologize if we happen to fly too close to people or other aircraft
.- We’ll discuss any concerns calmly after landing, in a collegial and constructive manner
.- We’ll avoid conflicts and collisions by occupying the nearby airspace only for short periods at a time. Keywords: circuit flying, speed turns, and acrobatic maneuvers at eye level; flying around with light aircraft right in front of us.
- Any questions? Are there any pilots among us who aren’t familiar with the local conditions and would like a briefing?

Thank you very much. Enjoy your flights and many happy landings!