Best place to fly?
09-16-2004 | 10:10 AM
#1
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From: Sioux Falls,
SD
Best place to fly?
I realize that the best place to fly is at a RC "airport", but all of the fields around here belong to clubs that require a yearly membership to join. Being that it is near the end of the season, I really don't want to pony up the ~ $100 (AMA membership, club dues, field rental, etc) that it would cost to fly on the final few days of the season.
So, what would be good alternative places to fly? There are a couple of big city parks around town where they play soccer, etc (i.e. no trees) that I could use, but I'm looking for some other alternatives.
So, what would be good alternative places to fly? There are a couple of big city parks around town where they play soccer, etc (i.e. no trees) that I could use, but I'm looking for some other alternatives.
09-16-2004 | 10:25 AM
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From: Jewett, NY,
RE: Best place to fly?
If you are flying small electrics Parks and School yards are good places PROVIDED you are allowed and that they aren't too crowded RC planes allways seem to generate a crowd when flown especially with kids. Sounds like you are planning to learn on your own? If that is the case I'd find the largest and most remote area for your initial flights for safety's sake
09-16-2004 | 11:08 AM
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From: Frederick, MD
RE: Best place to fly?
I'm going to guess because of the nature of this question that you haven't flown yet.
Stop being so cheap. Go join the club and get an experienced modeller to help you fly. You could probably get them to prorate the membership for the year, or you could just wait 3 months and join for the full year. The thing that you are failing to consider is how much it will cost you not to join the club. Here's a scenario for you:
You find an inviting looking soccer field at the local park. It looks pretty big and the only people around are a couple of kids at the far end of the field. You get everything together and launch your model - hey this RC thing is harder than I thought! You struggle, overcontrolling from one side to the other until with just 50' of altitude you lose control of the model. The model falls gathering speed and nails one of the kids. The kid is severely injured from being hit by a 1 pound missle travelling at 75 mph and ends up leaving in an ambulance. Well, one week later you get a letter and a summons from mom and dad's attourney, I. Chase Ambulances. You learn that in addition to losing $300 worth of RC gear you are being sued for $2.5 million to cover little Timmy's medical expenses plus pain and suffering.
Too bad that $100 for AMA and club dues was too much for you.
Stop being so cheap. Go join the club and get an experienced modeller to help you fly. You could probably get them to prorate the membership for the year, or you could just wait 3 months and join for the full year. The thing that you are failing to consider is how much it will cost you not to join the club. Here's a scenario for you:
You find an inviting looking soccer field at the local park. It looks pretty big and the only people around are a couple of kids at the far end of the field. You get everything together and launch your model - hey this RC thing is harder than I thought! You struggle, overcontrolling from one side to the other until with just 50' of altitude you lose control of the model. The model falls gathering speed and nails one of the kids. The kid is severely injured from being hit by a 1 pound missle travelling at 75 mph and ends up leaving in an ambulance. Well, one week later you get a letter and a summons from mom and dad's attourney, I. Chase Ambulances. You learn that in addition to losing $300 worth of RC gear you are being sued for $2.5 million to cover little Timmy's medical expenses plus pain and suffering.
Too bad that $100 for AMA and club dues was too much for you.
09-16-2004 | 11:18 AM
#4
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RE: Best place to fly?
Rubberduck,
There are a couple fields near Sioux Falls, and I encountered friendly folks at both. I think if I'd had a plane with me, they might have let me fly. Why don't you try going & asking?
The guys who fly older style planes are very nice, and would probably help you. They belong to some organization that goes by initials that are something like "SAM", for Society of Antique Modelers.
The other field only had one flier present, at the time, and he was friendly too.
My point here is, club people all went through what you're going through, and understand. They also have experience, and can help you preserve your investment. Having visited Sioux Falls and met some of the people, I'm inclined to advise you to contact them first, before you try to fly alone. I guarantee the experience will be helpful.
Good luck,
Dave Olson
There are a couple fields near Sioux Falls, and I encountered friendly folks at both. I think if I'd had a plane with me, they might have let me fly. Why don't you try going & asking?
The guys who fly older style planes are very nice, and would probably help you. They belong to some organization that goes by initials that are something like "SAM", for Society of Antique Modelers.
The other field only had one flier present, at the time, and he was friendly too.
My point here is, club people all went through what you're going through, and understand. They also have experience, and can help you preserve your investment. Having visited Sioux Falls and met some of the people, I'm inclined to advise you to contact them first, before you try to fly alone. I guarantee the experience will be helpful.
Good luck,
Dave Olson
ORIGINAL: Rubberduck
I realize that the best place to fly is at a RC "airport", but all of the fields around here belong to clubs that require a yearly membership to join. Being that it is near the end of the season, I really don't want to pony up the ~ $100 (AMA membership, club dues, field rental, etc) that it would cost to fly on the final few days of the season.
So, what would be good alternative places to fly? There are a couple of big city parks around town where they play soccer, etc (i.e. no trees) that I could use, but I'm looking for some other alternatives.
I realize that the best place to fly is at a RC "airport", but all of the fields around here belong to clubs that require a yearly membership to join. Being that it is near the end of the season, I really don't want to pony up the ~ $100 (AMA membership, club dues, field rental, etc) that it would cost to fly on the final few days of the season.
So, what would be good alternative places to fly? There are a couple of big city parks around town where they play soccer, etc (i.e. no trees) that I could use, but I'm looking for some other alternatives.
09-16-2004 | 11:49 AM
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From: Hastings,
MN
RE: Best place to fly?
If ya want to save a couple bucks, wait till oct 1st to join AMA....i think that you get the last 3 months of the year free then. If i'm wrong i'm sure someone will correct me
09-16-2004 | 11:57 AM
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From: Sioux Falls,
SD
RE: Best place to fly?
ORIGINAL: ksechler
I'm going to guess because of the nature of this question that you haven't flown yet.
Stop being so cheap. Go join the club and get an experienced modeller to help you fly. You could probably get them to prorate the membership for the year, or you could just wait 3 months and join for the full year. The thing that you are failing to consider is how much it will cost you not to join the club. Here's a scenario for you:
You find an inviting looking soccer field at the local park. It looks pretty big and the only people around are a couple of kids at the far end of the field. You get everything together and launch your model - hey this RC thing is harder than I thought! You struggle, overcontrolling from one side to the other until with just 50' of altitude you lose control of the model. The model falls gathering speed and nails one of the kids. The kid is severely injured from being hit by a 1 pound missle travelling at 75 mph and ends up leaving in an ambulance. Well, one week later you get a letter and a summons from mom and dad's attourney, I. Chase Ambulances. You learn that in addition to losing $300 worth of RC gear you are being sued for $2.5 million to cover little Timmy's medical expenses plus pain and suffering.
Too bad that $100 for AMA and club dues was too much for you.
I'm going to guess because of the nature of this question that you haven't flown yet.
Stop being so cheap. Go join the club and get an experienced modeller to help you fly. You could probably get them to prorate the membership for the year, or you could just wait 3 months and join for the full year. The thing that you are failing to consider is how much it will cost you not to join the club. Here's a scenario for you:
You find an inviting looking soccer field at the local park. It looks pretty big and the only people around are a couple of kids at the far end of the field. You get everything together and launch your model - hey this RC thing is harder than I thought! You struggle, overcontrolling from one side to the other until with just 50' of altitude you lose control of the model. The model falls gathering speed and nails one of the kids. The kid is severely injured from being hit by a 1 pound missle travelling at 75 mph and ends up leaving in an ambulance. Well, one week later you get a letter and a summons from mom and dad's attourney, I. Chase Ambulances. You learn that in addition to losing $300 worth of RC gear you are being sued for $2.5 million to cover little Timmy's medical expenses plus pain and suffering.
Too bad that $100 for AMA and club dues was too much for you.
To everyone else, thanks for the input. The intent of my first message was to gain an idea of where people fly when they don't have a club or field near them.
09-16-2004 | 12:09 PM
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From: el centro, CA
RE: Best place to fly?
it's also cheaper in the long run if you join a club.
you'll meet peaple tha'tll have a massive fleet..like me
we gerneally sell our stuff that we lost interest in to make room in
the hanger for dirt cheap...
there's fun flys or yearly swamp meets that club hold every year
i get used planes built and covered for around all $50 or less from
my buddy all the time.
i've purchase a complete set up plane/engine/radio for $100.
i purchased three air planes built .40 size and one complete trainer set up
for under $250
plus i didn't need all the field eq or start up tools right away
becuase the club members that was helping me had them already.
they gave me glow plugs, props and stuff like that..
my membership was getting refunded from day 1
you'll meet peaple tha'tll have a massive fleet..like me
we gerneally sell our stuff that we lost interest in to make room in
the hanger for dirt cheap...
there's fun flys or yearly swamp meets that club hold every year
i get used planes built and covered for around all $50 or less from
my buddy all the time.
i've purchase a complete set up plane/engine/radio for $100.
i purchased three air planes built .40 size and one complete trainer set up
for under $250
plus i didn't need all the field eq or start up tools right away
becuase the club members that was helping me had them already.
they gave me glow plugs, props and stuff like that..
my membership was getting refunded from day 1
09-16-2004 | 12:27 PM
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From: Jewett, NY,
RE: Best place to fly?
To everyone else, thanks for the input. The intent of my first message was to gain an idea of where people fly when they don't have a club or field near them.
While kselcher's comments may be a bit overly dramatic the possibly however slight does exist.
P.S. After over 20 years flying I personally won't fly any large (glow or electric) planes in a public park or school yard on the off chance kselcher's scenerio might come true[X(]
Here's a little quiz for you (or any of the math wizs out there) How long (in seconds) does it take a plane flying at 50mph to travel 200 yards?
50mph is well within the speed range of a .40 sized glow trainer (Most common type used for learning)
09-16-2004 | 01:16 PM
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From: Boulder,
CO
RE: Best place to fly?
I learned myself too, for the exact reasons you described. The field was to far away, but obtainable, and the money was just outrageous for what I would be doing. So i took matters into my own hands, and learned to fly myself. Before I moved out to grad school, my home had a 4 acre area that i used to fly. My runways werent more than 20 ft wide x 150 ft long, and grass... but it worked fine. You really need a good wide open area, especially if your just learning, because you dont want to feel closed in when your up there. Also, make sure you have a good place to land thats into the wind if possible. Soccer fields arent the best because of the soccer posts... you'd be amazed at how often you could hit those. Same goes of for football fields and baseball fields. My advice would be to go out into the county somewhere, finda rarely used road with fields all around it and just try it there... the worst thing that could happen is you crash in someones field ......plus the road would make a good landing strip, as long as there are no cars coming .. hehehe...
09-16-2004 | 01:50 PM
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From: el centro, CA
RE: Best place to fly?
i've seen electrics that will out speed a .40 size trainer easily.
i live out in the boondocks and it's still not easy to fine a good place to
fly. there's plenty of farm land around. but a good site wihtout obsticals
or power lines is hard to locate. i can always head out to the nearest desert.
i wouldn't have problems with electrics in a farm field
but i would still need to invest in a good pair of boots for mud and crap.
that would just be a mess i would rather do without
lord forbid if a rattler should nip me in the arss or sum'in.
i tried taking off on an outback road.
not as easy as i thought... roads are not level, higher at the center for run off,
plus cracks.
i have yet to locate a dirt road wihtout power line or a canals on the side.
i live out in the boondocks and it's still not easy to fine a good place to
fly. there's plenty of farm land around. but a good site wihtout obsticals
or power lines is hard to locate. i can always head out to the nearest desert.
i wouldn't have problems with electrics in a farm field
but i would still need to invest in a good pair of boots for mud and crap.
that would just be a mess i would rather do without
lord forbid if a rattler should nip me in the arss or sum'in.
i tried taking off on an outback road.
not as easy as i thought... roads are not level, higher at the center for run off,
plus cracks.
i have yet to locate a dirt road wihtout power line or a canals on the side.
09-16-2004 | 02:16 PM
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From: Davenport, IA
RE: Best place to fly?
The AMA has a 90 day membership for something like $20. And I would guess most clubs won't chage the whole dues to join this late in the year, ours is only $10 right now for the rest of the year. Well worth the $$$$ to lessen the chances significantly of crashing your plane.
09-16-2004 | 03:32 PM
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From: Auckland, NEW ZEALAND
RE: Best place to fly?
I think that Teresa's answer is the most sensible option ( in this case).
I have always encouraged flying at alternative spots where there is not any danger of hurting anyone, ie. way out of the city environment ( "Ho Hum" I hear Crashem say,
), but I agree with Crashem, when he says that ksechler is being a little dramatic - a worst case scenario I suppose to emphasize the possibility.
We're a bit spoilt in my country, where the chances of being sued are much much less than in the USA, and it may not always be like that. - So I do see the point in the warnings, but that doesn't mean you can't ( given the right conditions and flying environment), does it?
I have always encouraged flying at alternative spots where there is not any danger of hurting anyone, ie. way out of the city environment ( "Ho Hum" I hear Crashem say,
), but I agree with Crashem, when he says that ksechler is being a little dramatic - a worst case scenario I suppose to emphasize the possibility.We're a bit spoilt in my country, where the chances of being sued are much much less than in the USA, and it may not always be like that. - So I do see the point in the warnings, but that doesn't mean you can't ( given the right conditions and flying environment), does it?
09-16-2004 | 03:39 PM
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From: Jewett, NY,
RE: Best place to fly?
Hey Willdo,
As soon as MikeMc and Wings find this thread the whole gang will be here
Acually I was shocked you didn't jump on this thread right away... Must be something to do with that there time difference thingy
{Disclaimer:}
Wings if you read this before you get your britches in a bunch I want to state publicly for the record that I was only kidding!!! hence the use of the symbol.
As soon as MikeMc and Wings find this thread the whole gang will be here
( "Ho Hum" I hear Crashem say, ),
{Disclaimer:}
Wings if you read this before you get your britches in a bunch I want to state publicly for the record that I was only kidding!!! hence the use of the
symbol.
09-16-2004 | 03:48 PM
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From: Union City,
CA
RE: Best place to fly?
Holy crap dude, am I that popular?
Anyway, I was just going to comment on the "cheap" thing and say the way the AMA billing works doesn't really encourage people to join up in the middle of the year. Pay $100 (or whatever it its now) on Sept 30 or before and on Jan 1 you get to pay $100 again. I'm probably going to join the local club again but I'm waiting until Oct to join the AMA first. Until then the AMA has financially encouraged me to fly without insurence.
Anyway, I was just going to comment on the "cheap" thing and say the way the AMA billing works doesn't really encourage people to join up in the middle of the year. Pay $100 (or whatever it its now) on Sept 30 or before and on Jan 1 you get to pay $100 again. I'm probably going to join the local club again but I'm waiting until Oct to join the AMA first. Until then the AMA has financially encouraged me to fly without insurence.
09-16-2004 | 03:53 PM
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From: Jewett, NY,
RE: Best place to fly?
Mike its your posts and Basinbums that keep me coming back to this site Keep up the good work.
BTW Maybe you could be the first to solve my little math problem for rubberduck?? Most people don't realize How fast these planes cover ground.
Keep up the good work.BTW Maybe you could be the first to solve my little math problem for rubberduck??
Most people don't realize How fast these planes cover ground.
09-16-2004 | 04:15 PM
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From: Sioux Falls,
SD
RE: Best place to fly?
Thank you to everyone for their input and feedback. I didn't realize the AMA offered an "incentive" to wait until after Oct 1. to join. My point with having to pay membership dues this year is that I would (most likely) be paying full price for only 3 months of service. Now that I know that after Oct. 1 I essentially get the rest of this year free, I don't feel so bad. It's not a question about spending the money (I already know this can be an expensive hobby), it's a question of spending my money wisely.
And to answer the math question - appoximately 8 seconds (more like 8.179 seconds) [8D]
And to answer the math question - appoximately 8 seconds (more like 8.179 seconds) [8D]
09-16-2004 | 04:25 PM
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From: Union City,
CA
RE: Best place to fly?
Code:
50 miles 5280 feet 1 yard
---------- * ----------- * -------- = 88,000 yards per hour
1 hour 1 mile 3 feet
200 yards 1 hour 60 minutes 60 seconds
----------- * ------------- * ------------ * ------------- = 8.18 seconds
1 88000 yards 1 hour 1 minute
Edit: GRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!! you beat me to the answer.
09-16-2004 | 07:15 PM
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From: Spokane,
WA
RE: Best place to fly?
You are all nuts!! Now that I have that off my chest I'm going to help this guy. Basicly if you can't secure 15 acres of people free land that doesn't have a lot of ajacent houses don't get a .40 glow trainer. What you need for parks is a park flyer. Get a nice smaller park flyer. Check the electric forums for advice. About AMA, if you have home owners or renters it probably covers liability for your flying. The AMA states that these insurances will be used first so if you have it you don't need AMA. Get a sim and practice then go have fun with your park flyer!
09-16-2004 | 07:30 PM
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From: Union City,
CA
RE: Best place to fly?
I don't know if I should encourage this but if you're a good pilot then one soccer field is plenty big enough for a 40 sized. I do it all the time. Just be safe. I don't fly if there's even one person there.
09-16-2004 | 07:41 PM
#21
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RE: Best place to fly?
I'd go with Spokman on this and wont comment on MIke since I guess he's trolling with that last one,unless the soccer field is out in the middle of 20 acres...You havent said what plane you have ,I started with park flyers at the school up the street, back when I had transportation problems,,but any glow plane is only gonna be safe at an RC field, have you "pony'ed up" the money for a plane/radio system yet? it can be an expensive hobby...Rog
09-16-2004 | 09:25 PM
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From: Union City,
CA
RE: Best place to fly?
GRRR!! I'm NOT trolling!! Never ever. Just give people info and let them think and decide for themself once in a while.
RCU exmaple:
Q: I want to play on the freeway. I've never seen a freeway. What do you think?
A: Are you an idiot? You will kill somebody. Don't even think about it. You don't need to know why. Just go back to bed and never think of this again.
MikeMc example:
Q: I want to play on the freeway. I've never seen a freeway. What do you think?
A: Well hundreds of 2 ton (or more) cars and trucks go by in just a few minutes on the freeway at 65 to 100 mph or more. You decide.
RCU exmaple:
Q: I want to play on the freeway. I've never seen a freeway. What do you think?
A: Are you an idiot? You will kill somebody. Don't even think about it. You don't need to know why. Just go back to bed and never think of this again.
MikeMc example:
Q: I want to play on the freeway. I've never seen a freeway. What do you think?
A: Well hundreds of 2 ton (or more) cars and trucks go by in just a few minutes on the freeway at 65 to 100 mph or more. You decide.
09-16-2004 | 10:26 PM
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From: Auckland, NEW ZEALAND
RE: Best place to fly?
Good one Mike!
Crashem I think I'm getting too old now, I've aged about ten years ( that's the equivalent of about two forum years ) beating my head against against the brick wall! - so I won't start my rhetoric again!
BasinBum? I know you'll come up with a commonsense answer, maybe not this time.
Crashem I think I'm getting too old now, I've aged about ten years ( that's the equivalent of about two forum years ) beating my head against against the brick wall! - so I won't start my rhetoric again!
BasinBum? I know you'll come up with a commonsense answer, maybe not this time.
09-16-2004 | 11:35 PM
#24
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RE: Best place to fly?
ORIGINAL: MikeMc
I don't know if I should encourage this(I'm gonna insert a no here) but if you're a good pilot then (what are you doing in the beginner forum looking for a place to fly) one soccer field is plenty big enough for a 40 sized.(if you are a helluva pilot) I do it all the time(you must be a helluva pilot). Just be safe(very good advice). I don't fly if there's even one person there(even better advice).
I don't know if I should encourage this(I'm gonna insert a no here) but if you're a good pilot then (what are you doing in the beginner forum looking for a place to fly) one soccer field is plenty big enough for a 40 sized.(if you are a helluva pilot) I do it all the time(you must be a helluva pilot). Just be safe(very good advice). I don't fly if there's even one person there(even better advice).
09-17-2004 | 01:09 AM
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From: Waunakee,
WI
RE: Best place to fly?
Sounds like you've got the membership situation covered.
When I started flying about 6 or 7 months ago, I found a backroad with nothing but fields around it and one farm. I got permission to overfly the owner's property and used the road as a runway. Always took someone with me to keep an eye out for oncoming traffic. Worked pretty good for about 5-10 flights until I joined a local club.
When I started flying about 6 or 7 months ago, I found a backroad with nothing but fields around it and one farm. I got permission to overfly the owner's property and used the road as a runway. Always took someone with me to keep an eye out for oncoming traffic. Worked pretty good for about 5-10 flights until I joined a local club.
