Hi fmf rc,

The planes that were being flown are called "control line" planes. Flushing Meadow is one of the very few places that has a designated field for them to fly. Whether or not R/C planes are allowed to fly at that field is a topic of considerable controversy. If you look at the sign next to the gate, it indicates that only tethered planes are allowed to be flown there. However, the Parks Department personnel send all of the R/C parkflyers there and one of the R/C'ers told me that he has a letter from the Parks Department Commissioner indicating that the field is approved for R/C use. On the other hand, I was told by the president of the control line club that he has a letter from the AMA indicating that the field is only approved for control line flying. The general policy that most peole are following is that the control line flyers have first rights to the field. Whenever they show up, the field is their's. When they are not present, R/C is allowed, as long as it doesn't get out of hand. (Some of the R/C flyers are their own worst enemy!)

Sometimes I fly at Flushing Meadow on weekdays on my way to work, usually around 6:30AM, but I really don't like that field. The "flying field" at Kissena Park is actually four base ball fields arranged in a rough square, with a common center field. The fields are right next to the bicycle track, and there is a convenient parking area for your car. The entrance to the parking lot is at the intersection of Booth Memorial Avenue and Parsons Blvd. Once again, some of the R/C flyers have been the cause of problems and the Parks Department personnel will chase you during the "busy period" of the day, beginning at 8:00AM. You can fly before 8:00AM with no problems and usually late in the afternoon, the last hour or so before sunset. The coordinates are: Latitude 40.7436 N and Longitude 73.8112 W.