While our culb doesn't have any rules about mixing size of planes, or for that mater planes and helicopters, generally when a big bird is up, we all set back and watch. Same when a gas/nitro helicopter is up. There are some pilots who also get the air to themself as we know that they are wild flyers and why risk getting whacked. Kind of like that same rules I followed when I had my sailboat, the biggest boat has the right of way.

We did instuite a rule this winter that low flybys are to be performed parallel to the runway and beyond the runway. We have a line painted dow the flag opposite the flight line. The exception is that someone on the buddy box is allowed to make simulated landings and low flybys as part of his/her training. Generaly, when someone is on the buddy box, they have the air and we set back and watch.

Most of the time, these wait and watch times are less than 10 minutes or so. In two years of flying two to three days a week on average, I've only seen two times that we had more than three birds up at a time, so there just isn't a big issue there. I've only had one close call for a mid air and that was with a helicopter, a small electric one that darted out onto the runway just as I was rotating on take off. I missed him by a couple feet.

The bigger issue is that a lot of us, me included are hard of hearing. Call outs for take off and landings and such are often not heard as was my case with the helicopter.

Remember what they taught you in kindergarden, share the crayons and be nice. Wait your turn. Works at the field also.

Don