Okay well this might sound like a stupid question but I do not have any clubs in my area (The nearest is 300 miles away) so have never seen what happens at the field on flying days. I am curious to know how crashes are avoided with so many planes up at once?
Is there a limit to the amount of planes that can be flown at any one time and does everyone have to fly the same way or at different altitudes perhaps? What about learners do they get restricted to certain times or days? I can imagine what would happen if a beginner rocked up with his plane and just took off without having a clue how to really fly his plane. How are accidents like that avoided, even on the ground someone who cant control his plane whilst taxxing could have everyone running for cover. Does this sort of thing happen from time to time?
I know that frequency boards are used but what I dont know is what happens if someone wants to fly a plane and his frequency is already being used by another flyer. Does he just have to sit and wait, what happens if the other flyer decides to fly for hours and hours then what does he do? Do flyers have to be a member of a club or can anyone turn up and have a go?
Im curious to know what a typical day of flying is like at a club?

Thanks,

Troy.

A lot of clubs are still trying to work out many of your questions! LOL

Basically, there are guidelines regarding most of these problems. Many clubs will restrict the amount of planes in the air at one time to maybe 4. Personally, I won't go up if two people are already flying, unless it's so crowded that it's the only way to get a flight in. As far as what happens when an inexperienced flier goes up... WE KEEP AN EYE ON HIM AND HIS AIRPLANE!!! (And yes, many of us have had to run for cover on many occasions!) And the general rule of etiquette for the frequency board is, when you land, you put the pin back and give someone else a turn.

Hi Troy!

At the few clubs I fly in there are training programs in place to ensure pilots advance to a skill level where they are capable of putting their aircraft where they want it and comfortable enough to spare concentration to be aware of where other aircraft are relative to them. That being said, we don't allow more than 4 aircraft in the air at once (unless it's a special even like combat).

Courtesy and communication are the pieces that make it work. Unusual situations like a 'deadstick' landing, a person going 'on the field' or a even a 'low pass' must be called (I quoted the terms to be called).

Flying rules establish priotity (eg. 'deadstick' has priority over everything except a person 'on the field'). When a frequency conflict occurs, it's expected that the people with the conflict will co-operate and share (sandbox rules we learn in pre-school).

Some clubs establish too many rules to compensate for rude behaviour, I don't enjoy flying at these fields as they tend to have these rules to control a larger than usual number of rude members.

At the clubs I fly at, you must be a member (dues pay for upkeep, eg. rent, grass cutting etc.) but, you can bring a guest. However, after several visits as a guest you are expected to join.

If someone shows up from another club, I generally invite them to fly as my guest and hope for the same from them if I visit their field.

You must be a MAAC or AMA member to fly at most clubs. This is to ensure insurance coverage.

Hope this helps!

Hi Troy,
Our field four flies only in the air ,must use frequency board before turning on radio,after each flight remove card from board so next flier can fly,guest can fly free with a club pilot,half a day a week is for trainers only,thats with an instructor and buddy box,any other time fly with all members but until pilot rated must have instructor with buddy box,on combat day we might have more planes in the air at the same time,but that is no other planes flying.It's a rarity that a person waits more than 20 minutes to get a flight,300 miles doesn't sound that far, on a lot of weekends myself and some flying friends go to different clubs and events to fly,we leave on Friday after work, come back on Sunday evening.I belong to three clubs,two of them have locks on the gate one doesn't,all have posted phone numbers to call,during the week there's times when no one is at the field,a lot depends on the size of the club. A typical day is lots of flying,meeting old and new friends,seeing different planes and pilots in action,if you can, take a weekend and your trainer to a club or clubs.
Have a goodun,John.

You basically asked at least three questions. I will try to address them:

Most clubs limit the number of people in the air at one time to 4. In flying, a right to left or left to right pattern over the runway is established and the planes should all be going in basically the same direction. Third, in theory, you should be able to fly 50 planes at the same time. I think the biggest concern outside of crashing into someones plane is that you start trying to fly someone else's plane while yours is merry approaching Terra ferma!

My club has no set rules, usually etiquette is enough, HOWEVER...

A few weeks ago it was a very calm day and all the Pico Stick flyers came out. For some reason, the electric fliers weren't concerned to have EIGHT planes in the air.

That was fine until I (LT-40) went up and then was followed out by six electrics. I considered seeing if my LT-40 would slice them in half, since they were all floating at various altitudes above the runway. However, I didn't want to risk damaging my plane.

Anyway, sometimes you need to enforce some rules.

GB

The most people I have seen at my field at a time is about a dozen so flight time isn't too hard to come by. Most of us know each other by name so we usually talk a bit and basically someone calls that they're going up next, and so on. If there are only a few people at the field I wait until a person is landing and then start up my plane so I can taxi out when they are taxiing in.

Lets say a 40 size plane takes up 1 cubic yard (rounding). If the planes are flying out 200 yards, 300 yards along the runway and 100 yards up. Thats a flying area of 6 million cubic yards. So the chance of a midair is 1 in 6,000,000!

With the number of Midairs I have seen, I will take those odds in the lottery!

Many years ago in the State of Ohio there were only two automobiles.

They collided.

True story.

If I ever went to a field and saw 12 planes in the air, I wouldn't even unload my car.

I go to a few big bird events where there is at times 6 to 8 planes in the air, and some hovering at the same time, see to many midairs,more than 6 planes,I don't fly.
Have a goodun,John.

Hi Troy,

i am not really sure of all the rules at our field. Seems every one cooperates. The experienced flyer's know who us trainees are and stay out of our hazard zone (away). I think I have been up with about three other planes without a problem. There seems to be some rules; gliders are Sat morning, Fun Fly is Wednesday. Weekends are generally most anything because of the flyer's working regular jobs. My instructor Bruce and another Rich are available Tues and Thurs often we will have three trainees plus the old guard that watch, most fly but they watch us carefully and make it easy.

I went up this morning the field is 12 miles north. The wind was too high for me to do much. The old guard flew but were not too happy (wind). Neither instructor showed, wind forecast was very high (30 mph later in the day). I just sat and listened (learned) from the old guard. Fun anyway.

FunFly is a blast, they bet on who can do the most loops, or whatever. Sounds easy? Who can do the most loops in 30 seconds. The crazies take-off in a loop! The recover a few feet off the ground and do it again and again and again...
Unbelievable!

Larry

Our club has no specific rule as to how many can fly at one time, but 4 or more gets pretty crowded as it's a "tight" field. The club does have a rule that when two or more planes are flying, that the pilots have a "spotter" The spotter is usually an instructor or very experienced pilot if it's a newly soloed student, or even a "senior" student to spot for the more experienced guys.

The spotter just keeps his head moving and looking for obstructions on the field (including the occasional idiotic spectator!), other planes and just helps the guy flying know what's going on with respect to landing/take-offs etc. Been there almost 2 years and haven't seen a midair yet... trees don't count of course!

Troy,

Thursday night is trainer night and is dedicated to all people still learning to fly. Trainers and students have the complete control of the field from 6pm till close.

All of the other times (10 am - 9 pm or dark) is open flying.
We do have some combat which is announced 1-2 weeks in advance.

We have 2-3 weekend in the summer with special events. IMAC, Large scale fly-in, our club picnic and fun fly events. These are open to the public (except the picnic) and you get to see some great planes and some great aerobatics.

We have 5 flight stations but we usually fly with 1 to 2 other planes. (Except combat, then I hide in the pavilion, had a couple of close calls)

I never fly with any large aerobatic planes and tend to fly with planes my size and speed.

We have a frequency board and put our club cards in and just watch out for anyone else on our channel. If two or more flyer's have the same channel, then it is up to the flyers to coordinate the flights and take turns. Not everyone flys when they go to the field, some just watch or help others.

We require AMA and can have guests but only a couple of times.

We fly the pattern based on the wind. The way we take off determines the pattern.

We call out or intentions. TAKING OFF, LANDING, ON THE FIELD, DEAD STICK, this way everyone on the flight line knows what is going on.

Lastly we support each other, borrow a tool, glow plug, some fuel, and each others experience, and have some FUN.

Good Luck
Bill

We have a rule at our field to have a maximum of three airplanes up at one time. I've noticed that three maximum is good concerning space, and also concerning the fact that sometimes I want to hear my engine, well, whether it's running or not , or on a landing, hearing how high it's running. We did have two GP Giles ( yes, the same planes ) in a midair here this summer.

Hi Troy... All the above replies pretty well cover your average club field. A lot depends on how big the club is. We have a fairly small club and common courtesy takes care of most situations. We usually try to let a beginner have the air to himself so he doesn't get distracted. Also with first trim flights of new airplanes, and especially twins so the pilot can hear what his engines are doing. Mid airs are very rare, as usually you can see another plane out of the corner of your eye and alter your flight path a bit. In fact, I've flown at that field for about 30 years and have never seen one. Ok... now I'll have one this weekend! There's really quite a lot of room up there. Good luck with your learning to fly!

our rules are pretty basic.

4 planes maximum but only 3 of them can be "powered" (so you can have 3 planes and a glider or 2 gliders and 2 planes etc)

we dont have a set direction but if someone is in a "pattern" i try to follow suit. if not i stay in a diffrent "area" then he is (ie above him or farther back then him)

we also use a frequency pin and impound but its rather "loosely" enforced (if you know nobody is on your frewuency nobody is going to complain if you leave you TX by your flight box)

we have had midairs but they are rare (in fact when me and RcAdmin tried to play "tag" with out electrics we didnt get one hit )

we also call out landing etc etc and if someone doesnt hear anyone not flying helps "direct traffic" (basically just telling the pilots to hold up someone is landing etc)

we are pretty much all friends there so there are few conflicts

I would add the experience (including old timers in the flying world) of the flyers should be considered as well as the number of planes in the air. I would rather fly with someone new that is with a good trainer (using a training box) than someone who has flown for years and flies irresponsibly (over speed, doesn't communicate intentions, etc).

This goes both ways.

My club is fully integrated (helis enjoy the same flightline). I wait until any nervous or 'unstable' types are down before I take my heli or a big scale plane up for a spin.

Courtesy negates the need for most rules.

When I see a buddy box headed to the flight line I land.
Have a goodun,John.

My flight instructor, who flies together with me now that I've achieved mostly self-sufficiency, told me that I have a better chance of winning a multi-state lottery than colliding with another plane in the air.

He said that even the warbird pilots who are aiming for each other have a difficult time sometimes getting in close (Neither of us are warbird pilots so we aren't EXPERIENCED in this, but he makes this observation after watching these competitions).

I trust his opinion after 12-15 years or return RC experience under his belt.

He and I, of course, have never come close to a collision, following a flight pattern across the runway, etc.
my $.02.

have few more years flying than your instructor,but that has nothing to do with crashes,midairs are rare but do happen,I've seen a few in my day,also fly combat and lot's of midairs,some by accident,some not,I do not trust his opinion with a 5000.00 plane that has my time and money invested in it,my $.05.
Have a goodun,John.

I fly with the same size and speed planes.
I never fly with the big aerobatic and I also don't fly with the combat planes (they don't care what they hit, even me yesterday).
Just kidding, but I did have a close call when a combat plane was taking off, he lost control and it headed for me on the flight line.
I was watching him take off and started to run and he hit the ground just in front of me.
That happens some times.

Bill