The name of this Chapter of the Popular Rotorcraft Association shall be the Central Michigan Gyroplane Club, PRA Chapter 63. (Hereafter referred to as "Chapter 63.")

The office of Chapter 63 for the transaction of business shall be located at the personal residence of the current Chapter 63 President.

The purpose of Chapter 63 is to serve as an instrument of unification of people with the common interest of advancing the progress of rotorcraft for personal flying.

It shall be a voluntary, non-profit, non-partisan organization.

Its members are dedicated to the advancement of knowledge, public education, and safety of privately owned non-commercial rotorcraft.

Membership is open to any person of good moral character. No person shall be refused membership solely because of nationality, race, color, sex, or religious belief.

Members shall be classified as follows: (1) Active Member, voting, dues paid. (2) Inactive Member, nonvoting, dues are delinquent. (3) Honorary Member, nonvoting, no dues.

The dues of an active, voting chapter member are US$20.00 per year, due each January paid to the Treasurer. Dues are not refunded for any cause.

A list of inactive members shall be maintained so all members can be made aware of important Chapter 63 coming events.

Any member deemed undesirable by acts or deeds that jeopardize Chapter 63 can be expelled from membership at a regular meeting by a minimum of a two-thirds vote of the members present at such meeting. The member deemed undesirable shall be notified of the proposed action at least thirty days before the scheduled regular meeting.

The governing board of Chapter 63 shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Librarian.

Each officer shall hold office for a period of two years. In order to maintain consistent leadership, officers shall be elected in alternate years. Two offices shall be filled one year and the other offices shall be filled the succeeding year.

Nominations of new officers shall take place at the October meeting.

Elections of new officers shall take place at the January meeting.

The President shall preside at regular and special meetings and shall be responsible for all planned activities of the group. The President shall plan and supervise, either personally or through delegation of authority, all activities necessary for the advancement and welfare of Chapter 63 and its members. The President shall represent Chapter 63 and coordinate matters with headquarters of the Popular Rotorcraft Association and other organizations.

The Vice-President shall assist the President in all ways possible. The Vice-President shall preside in the absence of the President and will keep informed on all matters and activities pertinent to the Chapter 63 interests. The Vice-President shall delegate authority as necessary to achieve orderly function of Chapter 63 operations.

The Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings and mail copies of the minutes to all active members. The Secretary shall handle all correspondence for the Chapter. The Secretary shall maintain an up-to-date membership roster, and maintain liaison with PRA headquarters.

The Treasurer shall handle all financial matters, and submit a financial report at all regular meetings, and maintain competent financial records. The treasurer shall also submit an annual financial report at the January meeting.

The Librarian shall maintain and make available the Chapter 63 Library.

In the event of resignation from the board, the remaining officers shall appoint an interim officer to serve the vacant term.

Upon expiration of their terms of office all officers shall turn over to their successors all books, records, documents, monies, and property of Chapter 63 in their possession.

A Safety Committee consisting of three active and knowledgeable members of Chapter 63 shall be appointed by the President subject to the advise and consent of Chapter 63 members.

The responsibilities of the Safety Committee are to advise members of safety concerns. Collectively they shall have final say on all safety matters at any outing or fly-in under Chapter jurisdiction.

Chapter 63 shall meet every month, except December and February, at times and places previously agreed to and announced to all members.

A simple majority of those active members who are present can transact Chapter 63 business at regular meetings.

Unless otherwise ordered by a two-thirds majority of members present and voting, Roberts Rules of Order shall govern the conduct of meetings.

Unless changed by a majority vote, at all meetings of Chapter 63, the order of business shall be as follows:

1) Call to Order 6) New Business

Detailed safety rules, regulations, and training and flying procedures are presented in the Chapter 63 publication: Gyroplane Flight Operations – Safety Rules and Regulations.

Any amendment of these by-laws requires an affirmative vote of the majority of the members present and voting at any meeting of Chapter 63.

No amendment to these rules may be considered at any meeting unless notice of such proposed amendment is sent by mail to each active member at least thirty days before the scheduled regular meeting, and contain the text or summary of each proposed amendment.

The purpose of these rules is to act as guidelines for the safe construction and operation of gyroplanes.

A Safety Committee exists to advise all members of these rules and procedures when involved in gyroplane activities. However, safety is everyone’s business so a member should never be reluctant to notify any other member of any unsafe operation or deficiency noticed in his or her gyroplane.

1. All Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR’s) that are applicable to homebuilt gyroplanes will apply to club members and their gyroplane’s construction and flying activities. All club members should keep themselves informed about these FAR’s.
2. A member with little or no gyroplane flying experience should be trained by a gyroplane CFI (Certified Flight Instructor).
3. An aircraft must never be flown until a complete and careful preflight inspection has been performed. A printed Preflight Checklist is highly recommended.
4. All pilots and passengers must wear approved safety helmets on gyroplane flights.
5. It is the pilot’s responsibility to make sure other people stay clear when starting engines and rotor blades. Always visually check your prop and rotor clearance, and yell "Clear!" before rotating your prop or rotor.
6. The magneto must always be OFF when not starting or running the engine. After parking your gyro, make sure your magneto switch is off, then secure your rotor.
7. It is our job to see and avoid other aircraft. Assume they always have the right of way. When operating out of a busy airport, a radio transceiver is essential equipment so you can hear other aircraft’s transmissions and know where they are and what they are going to do.
8. Stay clear of other gyroplanes in the air. Formation flying is permitted, but be careful. Get well briefed on the ground beforehand.
9. Buzzing, i.e. extremely low altitude flight is not recommended. The only time to fly low is when taking off or landing.
10. If possible, always fly so that you can make a safe landing if your engine stops. Practice engine-out landings by trying to make good landings with your engine at idle.