Chris Balling

Those of you who were at this year's DJS know that on Thursday afternoon we received a surprise visit by two members of the FAA's Inspection and Safety Team. Following their ninety minute visit they declared our operation "SAFE" and gave us a "Carry On" (whew). Two week ago we received a call from their "BOSS" the Regional Director, requesting an audience and a briefing. Tuesday we provided him a tour, briefing, and conducted a Jet Demo Flight. We're please to announce that we have received letter confirmation from him declaring and ensuring our field with a routine altitude to 1000' (agl). Additionally, that altitude will be raised to 2000' (agl) during Jet Events. YAHOO .

bruff

My Feedback: (18)

Great news!
bob

SinCityJets

That's great news Chris, although I am not surprised. You guys did a great job running that event.

Chad

DAN AVILLA

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I think 5000 would be what you would need for the Navy Pilots . LOL  See ya Monday.Dan

Eddie P

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When I read the title I got a little concerned! Nice work guys, what a way to be ambassadors to the RC aviation community. [8D]

Race21

My Feedback: (20)

Congratulations Chris!

But to echo Chad, I am not surprised. You and your team ran a first rate event! As we have said before- THANKS!!!


We will definitely be back!!


J.P.

uncljoe

My Feedback: (8)

OUTSTANDING !!!!! Chris & Staff you all ran a FIRST CLASS EVENT .. looking forward to 2013
Semper fi

InboundLZ

My Feedback: (10)

Chris, I deal with the FAA directly on a regular basis...not always the easiest bunch to deal with so I have a great appreciation for your efforts! Like it has been said, you ran a first class event and its one I will not miss.

Ps...The Bandit is on the mend and all is well!

rhklenke

My Feedback: (24)

Chris,

I looked at your field (Nice, BTW) and I didn't see any airports that close to it. Why were they interested? Are you closer to an active airport than it looks?

Bob

cactusflyer

My Feedback: (4)

Bob,

It was a witch hunt.............Yes, the field is in the middle of the desert...........COINCIDENTALLY............a full-scale just happened to fly directly over the field at 1500' while the FAA happened to be there. What an amazing coincidence considering that I have never seen any full-scale aircraft even near the site for years. There have been a couple F-16s headed to Luke at about 5000' way to the south occasionally.

Tailwinds,

John

sskianpour

My Feedback: (2)

Lets focus on the positive. Chris Balling and DSJ volunteers and staff = Awesome.

Event was very fun. Very very fun. Wish it was twice a year. Like once in January and one in February!

Shaz

hooker53

My Feedback: (106)

Now I'm confused. I thought the reasent bill passing was for the FAA to NOT have intervention and authority in out sport. What I'm I missing here?? Congrats on a well run event.

rhklenke

My Feedback: (24)

That's the way I read the amendment, unless you are within 5 miles of an airport. However, its too soon to see how the amendment is going to be interpreted and its good to cooperate with the Feds either way. I was just curious as to why they were interested - the field does seem to be out in the middle of the desert, well away from any normal full-scale traffic.

Bob

Chris Balling

NOW, the rest of the story........Luke AFB maintains an auxilary field 5 miles west of Speedworld, thus advisory control of the airspace over us is maintained by Luke. Occasionally we will see an F=16 (or two) in the area but they are always at at least 3000' Very rarely a private aircraft may happen by but that is the case when our FAA inspectors were visiting on Thursday afternoon. We had 5 jets in the air at the time and as soon as the "very old Cessna" was seen one of the spotters yelled "Full Scale", our pilots brought their craft down to 2-300' until the "lookie lou" cleared the area. The "smoke" I was giving the inspectors about safety procedure became reality. It couldn't have been better orchestrated had it been done in Hollywood. And now, our field is protected and "Charted", and we'll receive a NOTAM for our jet rally's. One other note; the day we did the demo for the "Director" our AMA AVP was present. It's all about communication and relationship and it appears it has all come together for us.

hooker53

My Feedback: (106)

Chris, thanks for posting this. It clears up a lot.

KidEpoxy

Might not be as clear to some folks-

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11007057

Are you Arizona guys sure you weren't all just imagining it?
Cause it seems some folks choose not to believe it happened to ya.

FenderBean

never mind, missed a post