RE: does anyone fly in school gyms??
Coincidentally, I flew in a gym last night - for the first time.
One of my flying buddies met someone on-line while doing research for a foamie. It turns out that this guy knew someone who worked at a high school, and everything worked out. We have access to the gym every wednesday night from 7 PM to 8 PM when it is not otherwise in use. We were there until 9 PM last night - four guys flying, although only one at a time. The gym was built in the 20's and is not very large.
I am pretty much a novice pilot, but managed to get my GWS Tiger Moth in the air (after a myriad of technical difficulties) as well as my old Ikarus Bleriot III. I never managed a figure eight, but a better pilot certainly could have. If you like 'NASCAR flying' (only turn to the left) then go for it. Just for fun, I flew to the right!