Sepulveda Basin
10-26-2015, 02:56 PM
#8951
Banned
My Feedback: (8)
Yes, last week I was there and the VP of the club Mike Stoner was out there flying a jet with some people and flew over my head, as well as a few others at about 180mph two times. Had to be about 10ft over my head! I asked not to do that, and why they needed to fly over other pilots? He said if I don't like it, I can fly somewhere else... He was the most arrogant and unprofessional person I've ever seen out there in a long time. He wasn't even sorry. There's no excuse ever to do things like that.
This past Wednesday, the Brazilian pylon racing team was there practicing for a race at Whittier, and they were flying over the pits, parking lot and heli area with the Q40's all day long. This nonsense is what is going to be the death of the flying field and possible a few humans if this continues. I don't think AMA would approve of the VP thinking this is totally acceptable behavior. Lots of others were there complaining too, but fell on deaf ears. Benny Elkouby is the Pres. of the club, and he didn't do anything about it either. The club is upside down with their logic and management. Everyone talks about regulation and safety, yet the 2 top guys are the biggest violators of them all. The other day, Benny allowed some jet guys drive their truck through the open field, which is a wildlife reserve. He has no authority to give that permission. Yet, it's going on.
This past Wednesday, the Brazilian pylon racing team was there practicing for a race at Whittier, and they were flying over the pits, parking lot and heli area with the Q40's all day long. This nonsense is what is going to be the death of the flying field and possible a few humans if this continues. I don't think AMA would approve of the VP thinking this is totally acceptable behavior. Lots of others were there complaining too, but fell on deaf ears. Benny Elkouby is the Pres. of the club, and he didn't do anything about it either. The club is upside down with their logic and management. Everyone talks about regulation and safety, yet the 2 top guys are the biggest violators of them all. The other day, Benny allowed some jet guys drive their truck through the open field, which is a wildlife reserve. He has no authority to give that permission. Yet, it's going on.
If the leadership of the club accepts that behavior, I would hope the membership doesn't follow suit. I don't suppose there is anything you can really do about it either. Might take a bad accident ( knock on balsa that never happens ) or a significant drop in membership before they see the error of their ways. Are either of those two people you mentioned part of RCU?
10-26-2015, 04:17 PM
#8952
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Orange County,
CA
Posts: 5,312
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BTW - the field at Sepulveda Basin is an odd situation. It is in an LA CIty Park. The City does not require AMA membership to fly there, nor are any clubs in actual control of the flying field.
Last edited by Silent-AV8R; 10-26-2015 at 04:21 PM.
10-26-2015, 08:25 PM
#8953
The park is in an LA City Park. The Whittier Narrows Field is in an LA County Park. The land at both places is under the control of the Corps of Engineers who lease the land to the respective park departments.
BTW - the field at Sepulveda Basin is an odd situation. It is in an LA CIty Park. The City does not require AMA membership to fly there, nor are any clubs in actual control of the flying field.
BTW - the field at Sepulveda Basin is an odd situation. It is in an LA CIty Park. The City does not require AMA membership to fly there, nor are any clubs in actual control of the flying field.
10-26-2015, 10:21 PM
#8954
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Orange County,
CA
Posts: 5,312
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Basin is well known to VNY airport and since it is in a City operated park there is an implicit understanding between the two entities, since both are essentially run by City departments. The Basin is over 7 miles from Bob Hope, so no issues there.
10-26-2015, 10:53 PM
#8955
My Feedback: (37)
I am very surprised to hear the jets are flying over your head? The runway is at least 20 yards from the pits, unless your standing over the runway. This is what is so great about the Basin, the runway is as far as possible from the pits. Before I fly I typically look who is flying... sometimes knowing who the flyer is predicts if I want to be in harms way... that is the Basin for you.
Last edited by fw190; 10-26-2015 at 11:02 PM.
10-27-2015, 06:05 AM
#8956
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Orange County,
CA
Posts: 5,312
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just for the record at the Basin the edge of the runway 215 feet (~72 yards) from the front edge of the pits and almost 250 feet from where most people are set up in the pits. The pilot's station's are about 25 feet back from the edge of the runway.
10-27-2015, 09:40 AM
#8957
My Feedback: (37)
I do not fly jets but I do fly giant scale warbirds at the basin and I rarely ever put my planes up when a turbine is in the air. If they do come out while I am flying, I typically land as soon as they take off. Putting yourself out there and then calling out names is not the way to go! IMHO.
10-27-2015, 01:03 PM
#8958
There are others, but not many.
The Basin is well known to VNY airport and since it is in a City operated park there is an implicit understanding between the two entities, since both are essentially run by City departments. The Basin is over 7 miles from Bob Hope, so no issues there.
The Basin is well known to VNY airport and since it is in a City operated park there is an implicit understanding between the two entities, since both are essentially run by City departments. The Basin is over 7 miles from Bob Hope, so no issues there.
10-27-2015, 02:30 PM
#8959
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Orange County,
CA
Posts: 5,312
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
When I was an AVP for this area the only times I'd heard of conflicts with manned aircraft was when helicopters, especially news helis, operating out of VNY would come over the field low and fast. But like you said, a good example of peaceful coexistence. Another is the PVMAC field in Prado Regional Park. Just under 3 miles from both Chino and Corona airports. Both know the RC field is there, and in fact, it is noted on the FAA sectional chart.
12-04-2015, 08:48 PM
#8960
The LA city council passed a motion that was intended to ban all RC flying within 5 miles of any airport. VNY is less than 5 miles away. The motion was to become law if the mayor signed. I've been out of town. What happened?
12-05-2015, 11:45 AM
#8961
I think you misrepresent the intention of the law passed,,
If this is the ordnance you refer to, I believe the Model Park does have permission to operate.,, I was there 2 weeks ago and guys were flying just fine
http://clkrep.lacity.org/onlinedocs/...2_12-02-15.pdf
If this is the ordnance you refer to, I believe the Model Park does have permission to operate.,, I was there 2 weeks ago and guys were flying just fine
http://clkrep.lacity.org/onlinedocs/...2_12-02-15.pdf
12-05-2015, 07:11 PM
#8962
I am only paraphrasing what I read, which could be wrong. On the other hand, the mayor may not have signed yet, in which case it won't be law until he does sign. Hopefully some rationale thought will prevail.
12-06-2015, 08:09 AM
#8964
Tom is right, the law requires an agreement with the airport when operating within 5 miles. The LA City Recs and Parks runs the field as a model airplane field (just like LAWA runs the airports for the city), not a club.
The law is going after others, not users of the field.
BTW what is interesting is FPV is now illegal in LA City.
The law is going after others, not users of the field.
BTW what is interesting is FPV is now illegal in LA City.
12-06-2015, 11:24 AM
#8967
Also, this ordnance is redundant to FAA regulations already in place for several years now as far as how it applies use of RC aircraft, essentially the law has no new affect on most of us. Now for FPV drone guys,, that a different story
12-06-2015, 09:04 PM
#8968
Except of course it makes it a crime, and you can go to jail, just for misjudging your altitude.
12-07-2015, 04:56 AM
#8971
12-07-2015, 05:16 AM
#8972
Could you? sure, will you? I think never,,
Be realistic,,Lets say you do get caught breaking this law in Los Angeles, I guarantee you all you'll get is a notice to appear,, there is no way a Cop is going to drag you in and book you for this nonsense unless there is some more serious crime related to the activity.
Be realistic,,Lets say you do get caught breaking this law in Los Angeles, I guarantee you all you'll get is a notice to appear,, there is no way a Cop is going to drag you in and book you for this nonsense unless there is some more serious crime related to the activity.
12-07-2015, 05:59 AM
#8973
Could you? sure, will you? I think never,,
Be realistic,,Lets say you do get caught breaking this law in Los Angeles, I guarantee you all you'll get is a notice to appear,, there is no way a Cop is going to drag you in and book you for this nonsense unless there is some more serious crime related to the activity.
Be realistic,,Lets say you do get caught breaking this law in Los Angeles, I guarantee you all you'll get is a notice to appear,, there is no way a Cop is going to drag you in and book you for this nonsense unless there is some more serious crime related to the activity.
12-07-2015, 06:24 AM
#8974
Most likely you will get hauled in and booked, that is common with a misdemeanor
MOF, that anyone will ever be charged with this law is highly unlikely unless they cause some sort of accident or serious invasion of privacy or trespass ,, this is one of those laws for Lawyers and Insurance companies,,, You cause an accident,,, oops, you were breaking the law,, no Liability insurance pay out for you,, just like the cell/texting while driving laws, nearly impossible to enforce, but something bad happens, you're screwgied.
12-07-2015, 06:58 AM
#8975
Maybe there in the Suburbs of Atlanta,, but In LA,, not very likely,,
MOF, that anyone will ever be charged with this law is highly unlikely unless they cause some sort of accident or serious invasion of privacy or trespass ,, this is one of those laws for Lawyers and Insurance companies,,, You cause an accident,,, oops, you were breaking the law,, no Liability insurance pay out for you,, just like the cell/texting while driving laws, nearly impossible to enforce, but something bad happens, you're screwgied.
MOF, that anyone will ever be charged with this law is highly unlikely unless they cause some sort of accident or serious invasion of privacy or trespass ,, this is one of those laws for Lawyers and Insurance companies,,, You cause an accident,,, oops, you were breaking the law,, no Liability insurance pay out for you,, just like the cell/texting while driving laws, nearly impossible to enforce, but something bad happens, you're screwgied.