Rubberduck, its still not clear if you know how to fly.
. So if you don't, chances are you will crash and waste more money than the membership dues, and hopefully not hurt yourself or any one else in the process.
. But if you do, you will probably have lots of fun.
I don't recommend it, but years ago I flew for a while a .60 powered Super Chipmunk off a soccer field in Portland (Oregon); and for several years (in the late 80's) a group of us flew off new streets in the fast growing Orange County area. In fact, we once got chased out by the El Toro Base authorities for being too close to the final for the jets landing there! (The only official RC site was Mile Square: way too crowded on week-ends!). Other than that, we had no problem with authorities, and were disciplined enough to fly as responsibly as the clubs do.
I never heard of AMA until almost 10 years into flying: LHS and kit instructions never mentioned it.
I don't know Sioux Falls, but I doubt if it is more risky to fly there now, than in Orange County 15~20 years ago.
That said, I repeat, I don't recommend it; I like the club structure and safety,do recommend AMA membership, and observance of the safety rules. But one is free to go the risky way.

Rubberduck,

8 seconds correct but MikeMc gets more points for showing all his work

Seriously though, You do see my point?? 8 seconds isn't a lot of time and 200 yards is what about two soccer fields in length.
What ever you decide good luck.

Mike your freeway post is destined to become a RCU classic

W00T!!!

You've truly broken my heart Crashem [].

I don't rank up there with Mike and Basinbums?

By the way, who is Basinbums? I must size up my competition so I can win your heart back!.


Wings

Wings, no need to humble yourself and come down to our level.

I think I am on your level. We've not been flying for 10 + years so obviously our opinions are null and void whenever they come in conflict with the "Elder's" opinions,lol.


I'm only joking of course[sm=bananahead.gif].

15 acres!!!!!!! i think thats a bit over kill..... all you need if about 5 or 6 ...... but i has to be open and obstacle frell... which is the hard part...... but many country roads offer this opportunity ..... .. if you are in the market for a park flyer, buy a Toytronics T-hawk, unless you want something with Airlerons ..... whole diff. story ..... good luck in your seach though, and if you need any advice in how to go about teaching youself, feel free to e-mail me .....

PLEASE KEEP THIS THREAD ON TOPIC OR WE WILL CLOSE IT. THANKS ALL.

If you are flying a .40 gas plane you need more room. Yeh, 5 acres is enough if you can keep it in that box but what happens in an emergency or a failure? Also if there are houses or people outside that area they might be nervous if you are flying that close. I think someone who is interested in RC should at least goto a club once to check it out. Get ahold of the president and see if they can buddy box you so you can try it. Watch how much room the planes take. You are going to be amazed at how much airspace it takes to fly these things and how fast they go.

It died! - didn't need help!

In the air.

A 1.5m trainer looks simple and harmless enough, but it's potentially a lethal weapon. Join a club. No more needs to be said.

I swear I am using all the power in by being to resist. I believe I will have a beer now and watch women's wrestling.

So what is this thing with seasons. Sure I know it snows in many states, but last time I checked hobby stores sold floats and skis for RC airplanes. Is there such a thing as to cold for engines to run. I am sure there is but common! I'm from Arizona where its sunny 99.9 % of the year. In the summer it gets into the 100+ degrees. Still those with a passion for this hobby are there on the weekend flying and loving it. Put on some layers and go flying.

Just pay the dues... $100 now or the lost of the airplane, engine and receiver... and your pride!

Join a club. It's the best single expediture you'll make in r/c. It depends on the club how they run their fiscal year, but most clubs will prorate the fee if it's close to the end of their year. If you get into a good, established club, your membership will include, but not be limited to: the collective experience of all its members, hands-on help any time you're at the field and need it, plenty of comiseration and rebuilding advice (and some good-natured ribbing after the sting wears off) when you bore a bole in the ground instead of the sky, the cameraderie of flying with friends (flying alone becomes really boring faster than you might think), having a "safe haven" to fly at whenever you like, and on, and on, and on....... Call around to local hobby shops, or if you've joined AMA(you HAVE joined, haven"t you?) look in the Events calendar and go to a fly-in near your home, or call one of the AMA officers in your district and ask them to recommend a club. You'll never be sorry

Mike, Women's wrestling!! - I dunno, - that's even more dangerous than flying alone in some faraway field way out in the sticks.

join the club & seek out a couple of good experienced flyers willing to teach(that way you have a back up) the advantages to the beginner far out weigh the dues. you'll have opportunity to learn what works & get trouble shooting advice as well as see what else is out there to advance your skills. then you can start your own field if you want. the insurance issue is one of prevention& its not out of the realm of possibility.these are not toys. these "rengades" often do far more damage to the hobby than their "right " to be independent warrants.

Club righteousness makes me sick.

Damage? What damage? - is this hypothetical damage or real damage?

Just to keep the thread on track, ( as required by the moderator), what damage do they do in wide open spaces way out in the country - often on their own land? - none whatsoever!
They would be stomped on immediately by "officials" in any of the clubs near town! - so where is the problem?

To try and answer your question:

I am going to make some assumptions first. 1) You have not flown a model plane yet. 2) You have not purchased a model plane yet.

There are people that dislike clubs. It may be the politics, AMA requirement, etc. If you are just getting started and don't know if you are going to stick with it, either buy a park flyer or visit one of the clubs. With the park flyer, any fairly decent sized park will do. Just watch out for spectators, etc. If you visit a club field, let them know you are interested in the hobby. Most of the people I have met at the club fields will bend over backwards to help someone get started. One thing that both clubs in the area want is more members. Not for the money, more to keep the hobby going.

As for the financial aspect, I joined the AMA in October of last year. I believe what I paid included the rest of that year and all of this year. The club I joined was the same way. Pay now and it includes the next year. I am going to join one of the other clubs in this area also (RAMS). I flew out there last Sunday for the first time as a visitor. All I had to provide was my AMA card. When I join at their next meeting, I will have to pay 1/2 the normal amount for dues (that is how they prorate it). So I pay $37.50 to fly there 3 months. I was trying to get $20 when my friend knocked some sense into me that I was being really cheap. Once I thought about it, he was right. How many things can you buy that are less than $40? Will the $20 difference buy me anything at the hobby shop? Maybe some odds and ends, but not a plane! So I am going to pay the $40 and be glad I can fly at their field also. And then in Jan I will give them the $75 for the next year. Along with AMA (whatever that costs now) and the $30 for Hobby Park RC. Not cheap, but what in this hobby is? I could wait until Jan to join RAMS and just fly there as a guest, but by joining I will get a key to the gate so I don't have to wait for someone else to come fly.

I have not purchased a model plane, but I have flown a model plane, - I didn't buy it, I built it from scratch, from foam and parcel tape ( I had some radio gear and an engine, purchased from someone at work a long time ago).

Rather than go into all the details, I was shunned at a club I wanted to join, ( no doubt because my plane didn't measure up), so I became a self taught flier ( still not fantastic ), I hurt no one, because I flew where there was no one to hurt!

However, I am looking at maybe joining a club this summer (during your winter), which is out in the country and by all accounts sensible and relaxed.

AMA etc. isn't involved here, (down under) of course, and the chances of being sued etc. are much lower than the US (although possible for property, the government takes up the cudgel for personal injury).

I think, that Mike, rather than being an out and out rebel, or renegade, is really only trying to make a point, ie. do we have to be controlled every move we make? - can't we be free of controllers for just one little part of our week, and find a bit of enjoyment? - especially if we fly with a little commonsense.


Is there such a thing as a freedom of choice? or is it just a myth? - Is freedom free or does it have a price tag?

Sounds more like people control than radio control!

Thank you very much. Well said.

Willdo,
Last time I checked everything had a price tag including freedom

Willdo I think the reason why your comments and MikeMc's comments in regards to learning to fly on your own cause so much debate is because, many people aren't fortunate enough (or know enough) to find a place that is safe enough to attempt learning to fly on their own.

For me personally whenever I read one of these do it yourself threads I get a mental picture of a barely in control model terrorizing the town park It may not be representitive of the posters intentions but it is there none the less. I think that the people that post these warnings that seem to bother you and Mike may also have similiar mental pictures.

I don't look at it at as attempting to control others behavior or stifle creativity, Rather I think its people who enjoy this activity attempting to help others.

If you are planning on flying a glo-engined model in a park, it wont stay empty for 5 minutes. The sound of the engine is like the Pied Piper's flute to the neighbourhood kids -- they will appear like magic during your very first flight -- while you are still up there. Instant big problem. The serious issue isn't that you will get sued, it is that you could very easily kill someone. This is not just an insurmountable problem for you & the victim -- it give us all a very black eye & attracts legislators who want a nice juicy issue for the next election platform. Parks are for electric park fliers & gliders only --period. If you won't fly at a model field for whatever reasons -- go far away from people & their property. If you can't do that, then don't fly.

Crashem, trust me, I have the same mental picture about people terrorizing the town park as you do. Teaching yourself to fly or not belonging to a club in no way needs to be unsafe.