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How many park flyers have YOU seen?
04-16-2005, 09:49 AM
#1
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How many park flyers have YOU seen?
How many park flyers have you actually seen flying in the last 90 days, NOT including yourself and NOT in a club setting? If you are aware of the identity of an individual, do not count them more than once, even is seen several times.
04-16-2005, 05:26 PM
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RE: How many park flyers have YOU seen?
Great poll! It's a question that's been running through my head ever since the park flyer threads started. The truth is I've NEVER seen a park flyer outside the club setting. If they were so hot that the hobby shops can't keep them in stock, then you'd think I'd have seen one or two.
To be fair, I don't hang around school fields all that much, although I do get by the local parks pretty frequently.
I'm curious about the folks who report frequent sightings. Is it a specific field where park flyers congregate? Or are they just everywhere you look? What part of the country?
To be fair, I don't hang around school fields all that much, although I do get by the local parks pretty frequently.
I'm curious about the folks who report frequent sightings. Is it a specific field where park flyers congregate? Or are they just everywhere you look? What part of the country?
04-16-2005, 07:07 PM
#3
RE: How many park flyers have YOU seen?
well, since i do not do the club thing anymore, the only places i fly at, other than at a fly in or fun fly, is at local parks. i get to see the unafiliated types real regular. most of them, up untill about 3 years ago, were former club members from the local area, who had given up on the club thing, as i did. now days, most are rank, raw newbies. spread out around the 5 -6 parks i sometimes frequent, are about 25 or so of true never been a clubie or amaer park flyer types. they have all been told about the ama, and the local clubs, and none have made any effort to contact same.
the area i live in is approx 100,000 people, and is part of a metro area of just over 200,000 folks. 2 active r/c clubs. this is a transient area, as far as job postings go, so we have a lot of people turnover.
the area i live in is approx 100,000 people, and is part of a metro area of just over 200,000 folks. 2 active r/c clubs. this is a transient area, as far as job postings go, so we have a lot of people turnover.
04-16-2005, 07:12 PM
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RE: How many park flyers have YOU seen?
Define "park flyer". By that do you mean people who go to the ball field and fly a small electric airplane that weighs a few ounces or people who fly glow powered/gasoline powered airplanes at a park?
I've seen zero electric park flyers who fly small electrics in the last 90 days.
I've seen a LOT (well 2-3 out there every afternoon - and 5-6 on weekends and I see them every day I pass...) of people who fly .40 size profiles/glow helicopters/ and other "3-D" type aerobatic planes such as .40/.60 size funtanas etc...
I've seen zero electric park flyers who fly small electrics in the last 90 days.
I've seen a LOT (well 2-3 out there every afternoon - and 5-6 on weekends and I see them every day I pass...) of people who fly .40 size profiles/glow helicopters/ and other "3-D" type aerobatic planes such as .40/.60 size funtanas etc...
04-16-2005, 07:29 PM
#5
RE: How many park flyers have YOU seen?
my own definition, would be:
any modeler that operates whatever model he has in a park, store parking lot, schoolyard, or other non club sponsored public venue.
that said, of the folks i see at 'parks' , i am the only one with a glow powered aircraft. i also fly '90" sized electric helis as well as the smaller electric planks at these venues.
any modeler that operates whatever model he has in a park, store parking lot, schoolyard, or other non club sponsored public venue.
that said, of the folks i see at 'parks' , i am the only one with a glow powered aircraft. i also fly '90" sized electric helis as well as the smaller electric planks at these venues.
04-16-2005, 07:37 PM
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RE: How many park flyers have YOU seen?
I fly my 3D foamy at my college and have gotten quite a following of people who now do it too. Even when I'm at the park I get people that come up to me and start asking questions. Up here in the Great NW weather changes so fast it's nice to have something to whip out and fly during a break in the weather. Since you usually don't have time to make a day of it. I see them more often now at parks during my commutes too.
04-17-2005, 12:07 AM
#8
RE: How many park flyers have YOU seen?
ORIGINAL: Mike in DC
Great poll! It's a question that's been running through my head ever since the park flyer threads started. The truth is I've NEVER seen a park flyer outside the club setting. If they were so hot that the hobby shops can't keep them in stock, then you'd think I'd have seen one or two.
To be fair, I don't hang around school fields all that much, although I do get by the local parks pretty frequently.
I'm curious about the folks who report frequent sightings. Is it a specific field where park flyers congregate? Or are they just everywhere you look? What part of the country?
Great poll! It's a question that's been running through my head ever since the park flyer threads started. The truth is I've NEVER seen a park flyer outside the club setting. If they were so hot that the hobby shops can't keep them in stock, then you'd think I'd have seen one or two.
To be fair, I don't hang around school fields all that much, although I do get by the local parks pretty frequently.
I'm curious about the folks who report frequent sightings. Is it a specific field where park flyers congregate? Or are they just everywhere you look? What part of the country?
Actually, in the past 90 days I have not seen a park flier or any RC model outside of a club facility. Nor the 90 days prior to that or the 90 days prior or the 90 days prior to that.
Now on the other hand, let's take a look at something:
Tower Hobbies has four (4) pages of ad. in the April issue of "Model Aviation", a magazine that (1) provides ads at nearly 50% cheaper than "Model Airplane News" (MAN) plus (2) has a 165,000 +/- forced conscription subscribers. The latest MAN to arrive at my house has eleven (11) pages of Tower Hobbies in the much more expensive, free market 75,000 circulation, MAN. In addition there are two Great Planes (Tower holding company) ads supporting Elictrifly park-flier types.
Tower/GP is willing to spend its money in the High-Rent District, buying much more of it and giving significant attention to the Park Flier. Have they possibly seen something that we haven't, like cash rolling in over the gunwales? [>:]
Personally, I suspect that the big-boy in the playing zone has a better insight through the balance sheet on what's happening in the market, than my eyes see in my driving trips around the country including the annual pilgrimage to the UP of MI each year.
When I had a Hobby Shop in IL, it would have shut down within a week if it depended on the kits I sold ever arriving on a flying field. I doubt that in any year I ever saw a number of my store's models equal to one day's sale of kits on either flying facility that I frequently visited.
It may well be advised that one not render all evidence only as what one has seen.
04-17-2005, 01:04 AM
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RE: How many park flyers have YOU seen?
I have a few friends that fly Parkflyers at work. Which is pretty incredible since I work at a large international airport. But I doubt any Boeing will fly lower than the light poles ! An Embraer maybe. Actually, today another friend showed up at my door with a brand new E-foamie that I can't wait to fly. Some of these people fly corn also and belong to clubs, but about half of them don't. One did belong to a club before but doesn't anymore. I see these little foamie 3D planes taking a big bite out of the 3D market. Friends that flew huge 33% and 40% models have really embraced the E-foamies. If you screw up , it doesn't cost you a grand , maybe 35 bucks , and often not a dime. And if the 3D gang wants to stay home and hover in the back yard, well that is just fine with me. I live in the Houston area. For some reason almost all of the clubs are grass. They just aren't that attractive to flolks that like to fly smaller airplanes, even 25 size. The clubs are geared for the 40 or 60 size models and up. And the jet guys all use local airports. The clubs have really narrowed their focus to a specific aspect of RC. They really don't welcome anything else. The sport has grown in many directions, and the clubs just don't offer the facilities necessary for all forms of flying. The jet guys belong to the AMA, but they rarely get to use an AMA facility. We might loose them also someday.
04-17-2005, 11:33 AM
#10
RE: How many park flyers have YOU seen?
But I doubt any Boeing will fly lower than the light poles
I always had to get 'em down real low below the poles to use the short gear on those Boeings and Douglas that I flew.
Kidding aside, since you also belong to Jetero, but never fly there, come on out to the Anniversary Fly-In on Sat. 4/30. It's all FREE, flying and lunch for registered pilots.
Take a look at the new Electric 3D area, off the main runway, where these guys can do their thing, stay away from the runway and do not count for the limit of 5 fliers at a time. Actually the main control of that area is left to the current users at any given time. They have a fence to their back and open spaces in front.
As for the jet pilots here 'bouts, I wish some of those money-bag types would come into Jetero and vote in establishing a hard-surface runway. The area is there. There is significant support for the idea, however it will cost money.
However, it appears most rather just go to Scobee, and use the facility already done for them.
Remember as a club member you can bring your AMA friends as guests (3 times in 12 mo.) to Jetero and they can 3D foamie all day.
Hope to see you on the 30th.
04-17-2005, 11:42 AM
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RE: How many park flyers have YOU seen?
ORIGINAL: Hossfly
It may well be advised that one not render all evidence only as what one has seen.
It may well be advised that one not render all evidence only as what one has seen.
04-17-2005, 12:15 PM
#12
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RE: How many park flyers have YOU seen?
During the last 90 days I have seen a half dozen park fliers in a back yard and a churchyard. All were flying IC control line airplanes.
Incidentaly, the electric revolution in CL has begun, so you may see more of us in the forseeable future.
Jim
Incidentaly, the electric revolution in CL has begun, so you may see more of us in the forseeable future.
Jim
04-17-2005, 09:01 PM
#13
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RE: How many park flyers have YOU seen?
Hey Horrace, I plan to be there the 30th.
And I will try to fly there more often also. Fighter is on its last leg. I do like flying with relatively small crowds, but fighter has only 30 members now. The company can't hardly afford to mow it and so they don't. I think it would be a great Jetero Annex ! I have even run the idea by some of the owners. They didn't sound opposed to the idea. I think they would rather see it become part of Jetero than close down. What ever bad blood once existed between the two clubs has past as far as I know. But I never knew the story to begin with.
I would love for Jetero to get a hard surface runway. The best flying is just after a rain ! Good cool air full of horsepower and zero wind !! But those grass clubs are closed down for days to dry. We miss out on a good 50% of the flying days available each year because the ground is wet. It is ridiculous. With a hard runway you are up and running minutes after a shower.
And I will try to fly there more often also. Fighter is on its last leg. I do like flying with relatively small crowds, but fighter has only 30 members now. The company can't hardly afford to mow it and so they don't. I think it would be a great Jetero Annex ! I have even run the idea by some of the owners. They didn't sound opposed to the idea. I think they would rather see it become part of Jetero than close down. What ever bad blood once existed between the two clubs has past as far as I know. But I never knew the story to begin with.
I would love for Jetero to get a hard surface runway. The best flying is just after a rain ! Good cool air full of horsepower and zero wind !! But those grass clubs are closed down for days to dry. We miss out on a good 50% of the flying days available each year because the ground is wet. It is ridiculous. With a hard runway you are up and running minutes after a shower.
04-17-2005, 10:10 PM
#14
RE: How many park flyers have YOU seen?
Be lookin' fer ya, Man.
Uh, don't make any annex plans right now. If Jetero gets some extra money, they need to either go for a hard-surface runway or maybe pay off their mortgage a bit faster.
Foreign aid will have to take a place at the end of the line.
I was THERE and I well know the story. Will relate on a 1 on 1 basis. Sent you an email.
Uh, don't make any annex plans right now. If Jetero gets some extra money, they need to either go for a hard-surface runway or maybe pay off their mortgage a bit faster.
Foreign aid will have to take a place at the end of the line. I was THERE and I well know the story. Will relate on a 1 on 1 basis. Sent you an email.
04-25-2005, 04:20 AM
#15
RE: How many park flyers have YOU seen?
ORIGINAL: Hossfly
Actually, in the past 90 days I have not seen a park flier or any RC model outside of a club facility. Nor the 90 days prior to that or the 90 days prior or the 90 days prior to that.
Now on the other hand, let's take a look at something:
Tower Hobbies has four (4) pages of ad. in the April issue of "Model Aviation", a magazine that (1) provides ads at nearly 50% cheaper than "Model Airplane News" (MAN) plus (2) has a 165,000 +/- forced conscription subscribers. The latest MAN to arrive at my house has eleven (11) pages of Tower Hobbies in the much more expensive, free market 75,000 circulation, MAN. In addition there are two Great Planes (Tower holding company) ads supporting Elictrifly park-flier types.
Tower/GP is willing to spend its money in the High-Rent District, buying much more of it and giving significant attention to the Park Flier. Have they possibly seen something that we haven't, like cash rolling in over the gunwales? [>:]
Personally, I suspect that the big-boy in the playing zone has a better insight through the balance sheet on what's happening in the market, than my eyes see in my driving trips around the country including the annual pilgrimage to the UP of MI each year.
When I had a Hobby Shop in IL, it would have shut down within a week if it depended on the kits I sold ever arriving on a flying field. I doubt that in any year I ever saw a number of my store's models equal to one day's sale of kits on either flying facility that I frequently visited.
It may well be advised that one not render all evidence only as what one has seen.
Actually, in the past 90 days I have not seen a park flier or any RC model outside of a club facility. Nor the 90 days prior to that or the 90 days prior or the 90 days prior to that.
Now on the other hand, let's take a look at something:
Tower Hobbies has four (4) pages of ad. in the April issue of "Model Aviation", a magazine that (1) provides ads at nearly 50% cheaper than "Model Airplane News" (MAN) plus (2) has a 165,000 +/- forced conscription subscribers. The latest MAN to arrive at my house has eleven (11) pages of Tower Hobbies in the much more expensive, free market 75,000 circulation, MAN. In addition there are two Great Planes (Tower holding company) ads supporting Elictrifly park-flier types.
Tower/GP is willing to spend its money in the High-Rent District, buying much more of it and giving significant attention to the Park Flier. Have they possibly seen something that we haven't, like cash rolling in over the gunwales? [>:]
Personally, I suspect that the big-boy in the playing zone has a better insight through the balance sheet on what's happening in the market, than my eyes see in my driving trips around the country including the annual pilgrimage to the UP of MI each year.
When I had a Hobby Shop in IL, it would have shut down within a week if it depended on the kits I sold ever arriving on a flying field. I doubt that in any year I ever saw a number of my store's models equal to one day's sale of kits on either flying facility that I frequently visited.
It may well be advised that one not render all evidence only as what one has seen.
I know of people who fly DLG, Discus Launched Gliders, at local schools and I myself fly slope gliders by the beach when the wind is from the right direction. Neither of those types of planes have motors. But for the purpose of this survey, we would be considered park flyers.
Right?
Don't confuse a park flyer, being a person flying away from an AMA field, with a parkflyer, which is a small electric plane.
04-25-2005, 09:31 AM
#16
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RE: How many park flyers have YOU seen?
Years ago, the guys flying in parks, and soccer fields were flying small airplanes; .049-.20 typically. You could hear them a mile away. You don't see of hear the electrics like that which are so common now. I walked by a guy with a transmitter one day and did not even realize he was flying a plane.
04-25-2005, 09:52 AM
#17
RE: How many park flyers have YOU seen?
THAT is why these planes are so popular and why people generally don't bother you when you fly them. The guys flying in the parks are having a lot of success because of it.
Glow planes would be heard long in the distance and would draw attention. Electrics ... as you said, you could have one over head, or flyig 100 feet from you and you might not even know it.
Even gliders are more likely to draw attention if you are using a hi-start.
Glow planes would be heard long in the distance and would draw attention. Electrics ... as you said, you could have one over head, or flyig 100 feet from you and you might not even know it.
Even gliders are more likely to draw attention if you are using a hi-start.
04-25-2005, 06:47 PM
#18
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RE: How many park flyers have YOU seen?
ORIGINAL: J_R
How many park flyers have you actually seen flying in the last 90 days, NOT including yourself and NOT in a club setting? If you are aware of the identity of an individual, do not count them more than once, even is seen several times.
How many park flyers have you actually seen flying in the last 90 days, NOT including yourself and NOT in a club setting? If you are aware of the identity of an individual, do not count them more than once, even is seen several times.
04-25-2005, 08:32 PM
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RE: How many park flyers have YOU seen?
Well... it didn't seem right to say at an AMA chartered club. Some clubs have no field. At the same time, there are public facilities where clubs exist but have no control. So... I said "club setting" in an effort to cover the bases. It doesn't really matter if the clubs are AMA chartered if there are safety rules in effect, etc. You know, the kind of things that organized clubs do to make it a club setting.
04-27-2005, 03:31 PM
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RE: How many park flyers have YOU seen?
ORIGINAL: drdoom
Showing up on TV in almost every ad type possible.
Showing up on TV in almost every ad type possible.
04-28-2005, 01:39 AM
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RE: How many park flyers have YOU seen?
Well, i saw some guy fly a .40 trainer fly in a park (that guy is crazy anyways) :P its a big park though. So is he considered a park flyer? if not, then no one besides myself.
04-28-2005, 09:23 AM
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RE: How many park flyers have YOU seen?
Well I have only seen a few at our local flying club. I do know that there is a secret P.F. organization in our area that is planning the demise of gas flyers like me.
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