MONTANA PILOTS’ ASSOCIATION CODE OF ETHICS

Preamble: The Montana Pilots’ Association (MPA) was founded to serve the interests and needs of general aviation in Montana. The MPA’s main goals are: advance aviation safety, promote aviation for public services such as search and rescue, protect the rights and privileges of pilots, educate the public on the benefits of general aviation and encourage all pilots to be good neighbors to the non-flying public. Therefore, the Montana Pilots’ Association adopts the following Code of Ethics.

1. Pilots will continue to enhance and improve their flying skills and flying ethics.

• Maintain proficiency through recurrent flight training. Review the pilot-operating handbook for each aircraft flown.
• Review the Federal Air Regulations and adherence to applicable rules for the intended flight.

2. Pilots should always remember that the example they set through their actions as aviators could greatly contribute to (or detract from) the non-flying public’s perceptions and views of aviation. · Avoid doing any unnecessary type of flight, which may appear, to the non-flying public as unsafe, irresponsible or hazardous. · Never compromise safety for the sake of demonstrating ability.

3. Pilots will be sensitive at all times to the concerns of the non-flying public in regard to public safety, noise and other environmental issues.

• Become educated in and practice local noise abatement procedures to minimize the intensity and duration of noise heard by those on the ground. Avoid low flights over noise-sensitive areas, whether densely populated locations or wilderness and backcountry regions. Become proficient at and practice engine RPM management on constant-speed propeller aircraft by utilizing RPM management on take-off and avoid low, power on approaches to landing.
• Conduct aircraft ground operations in a safe and courteous manner to minimize propeller danger and blowing debris.

• Act with all possible courtesy to those on the ground who are hunting, horseback riding or observing wildlife, by maintaining reasonable distance and altitude. Honor and support seasonal airstrip closures for wildlife management purposes and support only those restrictions that are based on good science. Know wildlife refuge boundaries as well as seasonal areas of wildlife congregation to avoid inadvertent low-level over-flights.
• Avoid putting potential stress on wildlife.

• Keep the noise signature of the aircraft to a safe minimum. Practice “leave no trace” camping. Fly it in, fly it out. Avoid very early morning departures unless safety of flight demands a deviation. Be courteous to other users in the area. Do not use wilderness airstrips for training purposes or just “to say you have been there.”
• Keep the aircraft clean of noxious weed seed to prevent the spread of weeds to backcountry airstrips.

6. Pilots are encouraged to volunteer their services and their aircraft for charitable causes that support worthy efforts as well as contribute to a positive image for general aviation. Pilots are also encouraged to make themselves available to public schools and service clubs to share this code of ethics and the value and personal fulfillment of flying.

7. Pilots are encouraged to promote general aviation as a legitimate and necessary component of the nation’s transportation system.

8. Experienced pilots are encouraged to assist other members of the aviation community to enhance and expand their aeronautical skills and knowledge.

PO Box 1178
Seeley Lake, MT 59868-1178
(406) 677-3423

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