RE: Sepulveda Basin

RE: Sepulveda Basin
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RE: Sepulveda Basin - 7/28/2008 6:12:18 PM

outssider

Posts: 1098
Joined: 1/18/2002
Status: offline

I think the biggest problem at the field today is in the electric area. Most of the people there are flying planes bigger than park flyers and in the process are buzzing over the flight line, pits and into the infield (especially those little jets). I know they should be flying on the flight line with the rest of us but to tell the truth, i don't want them out there with me either!

We need another spot for these guys to fly... anyone agree....??

(in reply to JasonP)

Post #: 7251

RE: Sepulveda Basin - 7/28/2008 6:25:31 PM

Kmot

Posts: 7710
Joined: 6/11/2003
From: Northridge, CA, USA
Status: offline

I started visiting the Basin in the mid 60's when I would have my Mom drop me off out there so I could hang out and watch the 'big guys' fly. I started flying r/c out there in 1977. There was an asphalt runway, taxiways, and pit area. And a chain link fence. No benches, no trees, no bathrooms. There 'was' a large cornfield to lose your planes in though!

The politeness, courtesy, and civility that were a part of the Basin experience back then unfortunately is long gone. Today you never know if someone is going to play by the rules or just flat out be an a-hole. But then that is how So Cal society in general has become anyway so it is just a reflection of the local demographics.

Fortunately for the Los Angeles area model flyers there is the Valley Flyers club which now also has incorporated the San Fernando Valley Giant Scale Squadron. It is due to the efforts of these two clubs that the Basin exists at all anymore for us model flyers. Over the years there have been numerous attempts to take over the area, for things such as a Valley Music Center and all sorts of other "cultural" venues some wealthy land developers would like to see.

I have continued my membership in the VF by paying my yearly dues because I know how much good they do for the Apollo 11 Aeromodeling Field. Even though I disagree with some of the things I have seen changed out there, it is still "the only show in town" and it has to be protected.

_____________________________

Ahhh......screw it!

(in reply to scale dail)

Post #: 7252

RE: Sepulveda Basin - 7/28/2008 6:43:44 PM

jimweda

Posts: 142
Joined: 7/20/2007
From: North Hollywood, CA, USA
Status: offline

Your referrence and dislike for the electric "Jets" is understood since I have been one of the guys who have been verbally attacked for flying out in the flight line and, which is why I prefer now to fly in the electric area. I've been harassed too many times, and, to avoid this have been doing so ever since. Once or twice, not a big deal, but when I've been verbally attacked and, even chased around for flying in the flight line I've decided to go where its a little friendlier. I have nothing against nitro/gas since I own a few of my own. I am always in close touch with a few of the VF members, mainly one in particular who knows quite a bit about what's going on now and upcomming. I do my best to abide by the rules set by VF's and most of it is actually common sense so its really not that difficult to abide by. Seriously though, what is the reason you don't want to share the flightline with any plane that should be out there, because they are electric? What about the big and small 3D nitro/gas planes. Do they bother you at all or is it just electric planes. This is a serious question, not in an attempt to irritate you or anyone else. I'm just trying to figure out the happy medium here so I can fly where I won't be harrassed. Also, where do you suggest the electric flyers be put, in another park, city or not allowed to fly at all? Personally I think the Control line area is a great spot for electrics, but, you can't make them leave and I personally have nothing against them and wouldn't want that done. What would be nice though, is when there are no control line guys flying, maybe letting some of the electric guys fly there since it never seems to be busy there except on occassions. Just my 2 cents.

Hey Jason, regarding the 1lb limit in the electrics, I thought it was changed to 2lbs or am I misinformed. Just checking again. So many rumors fly around there, I'm not sure what to believe now. Since you are the President of the VF, you would know the facts. Although I don't use the charging stations, tables, chairs etc, I still appreciate what the VF's have done for the park. Basically, I run everything out of my vehicle ever since I started flying electrics because I've had over $300 in items stolen. I keep everything in there, before, after and during my flights because I'm not willing to have anything else stolen. Most of us know who has been responsible for the thefts but unless they were actually caught doing so, there was nothing we could do about it.

Jim

quote:

ORIGINAL: outssider

I think the biggest problem at the field today is in the electric area. Most of the people there are flying planes bigger than park flyers and in the process are buzzing over the flight line, pits and into the infield (especially those little jets). I know they should be flying on the flight line with the rest of us but to tell the truth, i don't want them out there with me either!

We need another spot for these guys to fly... anyone agree....??

< Message edited by jimweda -- 7/28/2008 6:49:02 PM >

(in reply to outssider)

Post #: 7253

RE: Sepulveda Basin - 7/28/2008 7:34:41 PM

k3d

Posts: 19
Joined: 5/15/2008
From: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Status: online

Yeah right. When you see 5 or 6 of those fast pylon type racers going wide almost every time over the end of the park flyer runway you wonder why they think they own the field. Are you one of those guys? I am one of the (little) jet flyers and I will fly the same pattern I always fly. I try to keep as close as I can to the line but there are a lot of planes up there. Usually I cut back in towards the runway on my downwind but it is still very close to the gassers pattern anyway. My question for you though is why YOU think that YOU gassers have more rights than me the park flyer. I pay my VF and AMA but YOU think you have more say so out there than I do? I think I will go fly more often on the main runway with you the more I hear these type of complaints here. See ya out there.

(in reply to outssider)

Post #: 7254

RE: Sepulveda Basin - 7/28/2008 7:38:34 PM

JasonP

Posts: 905
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Northridge, CA, USA
Status: offline

Hi Jim
The rule as of now is one pound. We have approved the 2 punds/ 60 mph limit on the board of directors but it needs to be put through the city office which we are working on.
However until it is officialy posted the 1 pound rule remains. As far as who likes what is really not relative and it does not change the facility rules. If you are too large or too fast
for the park flyer area then you belong to the runway.It is really quite simple.

As I mentioned before, polarization does not pay. We are all RC Flyers.If we do not look after each others interest then chaos will continue and the safety will be a larger factor to deal with.
The electric is here to stay. As responsible sitizens we need to engage and help our various minority groups until they are fully integrated into the collective.

JasonP

(in reply to jimweda)

Post #: 7255

RE: Sepulveda Basin - 7/28/2008 11:09:41 PM

jimweda

Posts: 142
Joined: 7/20/2007
From: North Hollywood, CA, USA
Status: offline

I fly everything from little slow 3D foamies to things like the Funjet. Mainly I stay in the Electric side of the field because of the harrassments I've had in the past. My normal flight path on the Funjet is when I pass myself going south bound, I go straight up vertical or circle counter-clockwise at a safe speed. I stay aware of the pilots at the flightline and keep away from them out of respect for all flyers. None of us are perfect, I see poor judgement from electric, nitro/gas and heli flyers. Most are considerate and play safely, but occassionally you get someone who feels they can do what they want or have no respect for others around them. I once had a guy flying one of those fast war-birds who lost control. It ended up flying towards me but didn't have the respect to yell out and let me or anyone else know it was heading in my direction. It crashed about 10 feet from where I was flying in the electric pilots pads. Can you imagine the damage that plane could have caused if it hit me or anyone else nearby? How tough is it to warn someone about an out of control plane heading in their direction. And, no, it was happening too fast. I could hear it buzzing around and I saw something flying around out of the corner of my eye but had no idea that person had no control over it. Yell out something. Sorry, got off topic, but it still points out some of the lack of respect of some people.

Jason,
I understand and most of my foamies fit in that catagory and will work with the 1lb rule. I just hope there is some way to keep the peace with electric and nitro/gas when it comes to being out in the flightline. Obviously, some have publicly voiced their opinions here or at the field and I know that is a small majority, but none the less, seems to be an issue out there. You will never be able to convince everyone, that no matter what the power source, RC Flying is just that, RC Flying and that's really sad. Maybe having unbioused representatives of the VF's to help mediate and/or enforce some of the rules would be helpful. I don't think there's ever been a time when I've been out there that there wasn't at least one member out there. Then again, I see that getting out of hand and possibly creating more havoc. Maybe one day we'll just "Get it".

Jim

(in reply to k3d)

Post #: 7256

RE: Sepulveda Basin - 7/29/2008 12:44:24 AM

k3d

Posts: 19
Joined: 5/15/2008
From: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Status: online

Yes, I have to start flying my B2 out on the main runway anyway from now on. It has twin brushless motors on GWS type II fans but it is so low to the ground that it sucks a rock in almost every flight and breaks a fan blade. This usally results in a spectacular crash. I've rebuilt it 3 times but now its getting heavy. I have a few spare fuse so I'm going to fly it from the main runway from now on. I will also have some new planes with some of the same problems I will fly on the paved runway. I am building the Estes 747 with control surfaces and lights but the 4 motors hang way low. I'm sure it is over 1 lb but maybe not 2. I will also be bringing out the Great Plane DC-3 and only flying from the main runway. I really have no idea of the actual speed of my F86/screamer/5 blade/30amp so I don't know if I should be out on the main with that or if its ok to fly from the park flyer zone.

(in reply to JasonP)

Post #: 7257

RE: Sepulveda Basin - 7/29/2008 1:52:24 AM

jimweda

Posts: 142
Joined: 7/20/2007
From: North Hollywood, CA, USA
Status: offline

Well, right now if its over 1 lb. and goes over 60mph, then its supposed to be out on the main flight line. Oh boy, we're going to see a lot of stuff going on now. There are very few planes out there that are 1 lb. or less and if they're forced to fly out in the flight line, not only will it be over crowded there's going to be a riot. Its a shame the city didn't allow use of some of the land south of the field. Heck, I'd have no problem if the electric field was on the other side of the Heli guys. Then again, I think the field is using more land than the city prefers right now. Oh well, we'll just have to see how things go if things are really enforced.

Jim

(in reply to k3d)

Post #: 7258

RE: Sepulveda Basin - 7/29/2008 2:14:13 AM

submikester

Posts: 1244
Joined: 8/13/2004
From: El Segundo, CA, USA
Status: offline

Another thing to mention about flying from the flight line is that it is important to also pay attention to the current pattern (left or right) and fly with a spotter so that you can concentrate on your airplane and the spotter can keep you informed on your surroundings. This is a practice that quite a few electric fliers have not learned - it isn't a criticism but how exactly does one educate these folks in a positive way BEFORE they accidentally cause a problem with other aircraft.

I had an instance a few years ago I had an incident with an electric F4U Corsair and one of my 3D planes. We were the only ones in the air and I was flying the pattern, he was not. He crossed right in front of me against the pattern direction and my APC 16X4W blade prop chopped his airplane to bits.

I felt bad. No damage to my plane at all but I landed just the same and immediately went to talk to the guy.

He immediately took responsibility but the kicker is that earlier in the morning I had spoken to him about flying FROM THE PITS. He asked me where he should be flying (this was before our signs were put up) and I told him that he and anyone else was welcome to fly from the main runway.

I still feel bad about it as I do not think I mentioned the pattern to him.

A couple of common sense rules that apparently aren't too common for anyone (Nitro/Gas or electric folks):

1) User a spotter/caller - you just can't effectively watch the world around you and your airplane at the same time.
2) Call out your intentions - let us know what you are doing!
3) Stand near enough other pilots so that when you call out your intentions they can hear you.
4) If you need to get on the runway - call it out and get OFF THE RUNWAY as quickly as possible.
5) USE A PILOT PAD - there are no pilot pads around the center taxi-way because it is not a safe place to be.

< Message edited by submikester -- 7/29/2008 2:24:06 AM >

(in reply to jimweda)

Post #: 7259

RE: Sepulveda Basin - 7/29/2008 2:28:31 AM