So the problem isn't the electricity leaping out to get us, it's our control lines reaching the power lines.

Consider this plan:

We usually fly in a circle that has a relatively clear boundary. We almost always have a runway all the way around the circle. Stunters and sports planes with wheels land there, right. And pit crews, other flyers, and family members know that boundary well. OK, use it and the length of our lines to come up with our safe distance. How?

How often have you wandered while flying? Maiden flight and the new sucker doesn't pull worth spit and every pass upwind has you backing up etc etc. Or you're flying combat with a buddy and he hasn't learned about the center and the rules about flying from there. Lots of things cause us to wander sometimes. But with a little experience you learn how to come back to center and why it's a good idea. OK, every one of us has (or is developing) the return-to-center in the back of our minds. It's usually based on the idea to not move out of the circle, right.

OK, add the length of your lines to where the runway is on the side of the circle toward the power lines. Now, double the length of the lines and you have the answer. How far from power lines should you fly? Twice your line length from the side of the circle toward the side where death awaits.

You know, the real possibility of death does await. This ain't no laughing matter.