Originally Posted by
franklin_m
IMO, one of the issues that AMA must face sooner or later is access to flying sites. I realize everyone's situation is different, but I did a comparison of the cold hard economics & logistics for my situation:
[TABLE="class: grid, width: 500"]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD="align: center"]AMA Field[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Local Park[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]RT distance[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]26 miles[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]0.038 miles (100 feet)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Gas cost[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]$6.26[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]zero (load aircraft in wagon and walk)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]RT time[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]39 minutes[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]5 minutes[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]AMA Fee[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]$75 (req'd)[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]$0 (AMA not req'd)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Club Fee[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]$100 (req'd)[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]$0 (no club = no fees)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Altitude limit[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]600 feet[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]none[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Nearby Airport notification req'd[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Yes[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Yes[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Runway type[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Grass[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Grass[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Types can fly[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Any (as long as meet noise restrictions)[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Electric only[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Size aircraft can fly comfortably in space[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Any[/TD]
[TD="align: center"].25 size electric / 500 helo[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Yesterday I went to the park with three helos (2x 450's and a 500). Flew 9 packs through the 450's, and three through the 500. Total time: 80 minutes, with 75 of it spent either flying or changing batteries. Best of all, close proximity meant I went home charged all the batteries (1C on four chargers), and two hours later went back and did it all again!
Contrast that with the logistics getting to/from the "normal" RC field. Not saying it's the same for everyone, but switching to slightly smaller stuff I can fly close to home has meant more flying in one day that I typically got in several trips to the flying field in years past. Economically, I also can save up to $175 a year in club/ama fees plus gas - which buys a lot of batteries and kits!
Other than your specific situation, is the premise here that the AMA has not been dealing with the issue of flying sites? Because of course they already have. It's not sooner or later, but rather been there done that and still doing it.
It's great that you can fly in a local park rather that make that arduous journey to that expensive field. You are aware of course that many cities and towns are banning the use of RC in their fields right? And it's no wonder why, what if 50 guys who live next to you decide to forgo that horrible ride to the field and show up at your local park and all want to fly? Wonder if the members of that community as well as the local govt are going to have a problem with it. I know I would.
Different areas of the country have different issues, but in more densely populated areas, it's more likely than not that public parks are not going to allow RC usage. And for the record, many had already banned all RC usage well before the MR issue.
Back to the sooner or later issue.....
Tony Stillman.... Flying Site Assistance Coordinator
Anyone wanting help getting a field going, contact him at AMA HQ. You might also bump into him as he drives the AMA fligh sim trailer all over the country. He'll walk you through the process. It does involve an application that needs to be filled out and that is then submitted to a committee to review. Obviously one person doesn't make a decision. Also keep in mind, it's not a guarantee that a field will be suddenly found or funded because the AMA is involved. Anyone looking at this issue knows full well is more complex than asking someone to find and pay for a field.
So at the end of the day Franklin this works out great for you, so kudos on finding a working solution. I see your analysis is cold, economic, and logistical, I guess that's why the issue of flying with other modelers and enjoying that type of fellowship and experience was left out.
What's up with your club's 600ft altitude limitation? Where did that number come from?