Flying Field Protocol
03-28-2006 | 04:51 PM
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From: Roanoke,
TX
Flying Field Protocol
All,
I have a flying field reletively close to my house. The land is owned by the Corps of Engineers, but a club is set up there. I have emailed a rep with the club and he says come on out and fly with them, but I'm scared to tell him that I don't want to join a club. I just want a nice open place to fly without upsetting people anymore, and where no one will upset me. If being part of a club is nesessary, I don't want to sound like a free-loader by wanting to fly there, but I don't want to have to pay dues for being a part of a club I would'nt participate much in anyway.
Can anyone share thier thoughts on this and what my expectations should be?
I have a flying field reletively close to my house. The land is owned by the Corps of Engineers, but a club is set up there. I have emailed a rep with the club and he says come on out and fly with them, but I'm scared to tell him that I don't want to join a club. I just want a nice open place to fly without upsetting people anymore, and where no one will upset me. If being part of a club is nesessary, I don't want to sound like a free-loader by wanting to fly there, but I don't want to have to pay dues for being a part of a club I would'nt participate much in anyway.
Can anyone share thier thoughts on this and what my expectations should be?
03-28-2006 | 04:55 PM
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From: Garland, TX
RE: Flying Field Protocol
Chances are the club has invested a good bit of time and money getting the field set up. Flying there without joining the club is freeloading. Chances are they'll let you fly a few times before you have to join or move on.
03-28-2006 | 05:09 PM
#3
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RE: Flying Field Protocol
I'll echo what carrellh said, and add a couple of points.
First, why don't you want to fly with a club? Most clubs are friendly and it will be a lot of fun to fly with others rather than by yourself.
The established club will undoubtedly have permission to use and control the property. No one will "upset" them and they will "upset" no one. If you fly as a loner, you will always stand a chance of "upsets", usually with the property owner or local police. They will have the right to tell you to leave, and often will. Even if you get the property owner's permission to fly, there's always a chance you will eventually lose that privilege. As an individual, you don't have much lobbying power. A club does. A club will often own the property they fly from, or will lease it with a binding contract. This safeguards everyone's rights.
Many non-R/Cers don't like loud, "toy" planes flying from or over their property. As a loner, you'll be at their mercy. With a club, you'll have a pretty much guaranteed place to fly.
Dr.1
First, why don't you want to fly with a club? Most clubs are friendly and it will be a lot of fun to fly with others rather than by yourself.
The established club will undoubtedly have permission to use and control the property. No one will "upset" them and they will "upset" no one. If you fly as a loner, you will always stand a chance of "upsets", usually with the property owner or local police. They will have the right to tell you to leave, and often will. Even if you get the property owner's permission to fly, there's always a chance you will eventually lose that privilege. As an individual, you don't have much lobbying power. A club does. A club will often own the property they fly from, or will lease it with a binding contract. This safeguards everyone's rights.
Many non-R/Cers don't like loud, "toy" planes flying from or over their property. As a loner, you'll be at their mercy. With a club, you'll have a pretty much guaranteed place to fly.
Dr.1
03-28-2006 | 05:30 PM
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From: Tracy,
CA
RE: Flying Field Protocol
I might also add that half of the fun of this Hobby is the camaraderie. I know that some clubs can be expensive to get into the first year but it is worth it to have a safe & friendly place to fly. Flying alone can also be very dangerous if you get injured & your by yourself out in the boonies somewhere.
Like carrellh said most clubs will wlecome you to come & check them out & let you have a guest fly or two, but to continue to use the facility you will need to join the club. We had a kid that was using our field & telling those of who fly regular on Wed. & Fri. that he was a member. He got away with this for several months until we found out he has been doing this at 4 other clubs in the area as well & it turns out he isn't a member of any of them. Now he's crying foul because no clubs within 100 miles from here will even except a membership application from him. He has been black-balled at all the clubs & feels that he has been wronged for not being allowed to join after he has been caught lying to us all for months.[sm=idea.gif] Go figure!
Like carrellh said most clubs will wlecome you to come & check them out & let you have a guest fly or two, but to continue to use the facility you will need to join the club. We had a kid that was using our field & telling those of who fly regular on Wed. & Fri. that he was a member. He got away with this for several months until we found out he has been doing this at 4 other clubs in the area as well & it turns out he isn't a member of any of them. Now he's crying foul because no clubs within 100 miles from here will even except a membership application from him. He has been black-balled at all the clubs & feels that he has been wronged for not being allowed to join after he has been caught lying to us all for months.[sm=idea.gif] Go figure!
03-28-2006 | 05:31 PM
#6
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RE: Flying Field Protocol
Cisco, what`s the problem with joining the club? Tell you a little story. When I first started in this madness, I was concentrating on the planes and the flying. I`ve always liked airplanes so that was the reason I originally started. Little did I realize that the real pleasure, at least for me, of doing all this would end up being the friendships I made with my " flying buddies "in the club. I`ve since moved away but still keep in contact with those guys. I miss them very much. Who knows? Perhaps you`d find the same thing with those guys in that club you don`t want to join. If you did, it`ll be worth the cost of the dues 100x.
03-28-2006 | 05:40 PM
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From: Tracy,
CA
RE: Flying Field Protocol
Not all club dues are expensive either, I know some can be pretty pricey depending on what their operating costs are but our club is only $25 initiation fee & $30 a year from then on & we have a real runway for scale planes that is no longer in use. It's a great facility to fly at. Heck they way I see it, that's like donating a gallon of 30% fuel for the privilege of flying on a nice smoothe runway instead of a putting green.
For the whole year!
For the whole year!
03-28-2006 | 05:49 PM
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From: Park Rapids, MN
RE: Flying Field Protocol
Ask not, what your R/C Club can do for you! But, rather, what you can do for your R/C Club! Their the best organizations on this planet for anyone interested in R/C planes.
03-28-2006 | 06:01 PM
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From: Park Rapids, MN
RE: Flying Field Protocol
I resemble that remark!
Now, if I were to tell you what I thought of republicans, it would be the start of a flame war! So, Bruce you get to take the cheap shot and I have to keep my mouth shut. But, from a republican's stand point, I should think that totally fair, right!
Actually, I thought I was simply paraphrasing a great American, of which I consider many republicans!
Now, if I were to tell you what I thought of republicans, it would be the start of a flame war! So, Bruce you get to take the cheap shot and I have to keep my mouth shut. But, from a republican's stand point, I should think that totally fair, right!
Actually, I thought I was simply paraphrasing a great American, of which I consider many republicans!
03-28-2006 | 06:25 PM
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From: hingham, MA
RE: Flying Field Protocol
If you go to fly at this club the probably will require you have an ama membership to fly at an ama field. Ithas to do with the clubs insurance from the ama. If you don't have one you can get a temoray one for about 20 dollars from the ama and this can be prorated for a full membership if you decide to continue
03-28-2006 | 07:24 PM
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From: Tracy,
CA
RE: Flying Field Protocol
Actually, according to our club president of 30 yrs. You can fly one time without having AMA with an AMA member with his plane & a buddy box, with the trainer master radio in the AMA member's hands. As in he can flip the switch on you & take control of the aircraft at anytime. This is a one time deal, from then on you need to be an AMA member to join or guest fly at our club. Now I haven't personally looked this up in the AMA rules, I'm just going by what I was told by our president. Who I assume wouldn't allow anything to go on that might endanger our club.
The above mentioned Introductory Trial Membership for the AMA is a good deal. It is how I originally started last year. It cost you $19.99 & is good for 90 days. If you decide to go to full open membership before these 90 days are up it will only cost you $38.99 then you will be an open member in good standing for the remainder of the year. It just makes it a little easier to get started the right way so you aren't looking at full AMA dues, club initiation & club dues all at the same time. Once you're in, the club intiation fees or runway assessment fee as some clubs like to call it, is usually only a one time thing then it's just your yearly AMA dues of $58.99 plus your yearly club dues whatever they may be.
The above mentioned Introductory Trial Membership for the AMA is a good deal. It is how I originally started last year. It cost you $19.99 & is good for 90 days. If you decide to go to full open membership before these 90 days are up it will only cost you $38.99 then you will be an open member in good standing for the remainder of the year. It just makes it a little easier to get started the right way so you aren't looking at full AMA dues, club initiation & club dues all at the same time. Once you're in, the club intiation fees or runway assessment fee as some clubs like to call it, is usually only a one time thing then it's just your yearly AMA dues of $58.99 plus your yearly club dues whatever they may be.
03-28-2006 | 07:43 PM
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RE: Flying Field Protocol
Cisco, not sure what you mean about upsetting people but it doesnt really matter, if you fly at the field that IS participating even if no one else is around when you do...we have 100 members and guess how many show up for the monthly meeting? normally about 8-10 regulars...My quick story is about a year and a half ago I watched a newbie struggle with his trainer wings wobbling the whole flight ,but he did have control of it..I work at night so flying time is rare ie its either sleep or fly for the most part until it warms up here...well to sum it up he can fly circles around me now and we are good friends...join up, find out who the last one was to join and go meet another newbie..nobody likes handing out their hard earned money, well unless its for planes and engines and etc..etc..look at as paying to get your car inspected, in order to play on the pavement you gotta pay the $30 for the inspection and have insurance,,same thing here, you need insurance (AMA) and a place to play (club field)...Rog
03-28-2006 | 10:15 PM
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From: Melbourne, AUSTRALIA
RE: Flying Field Protocol
i'll throw my two bobs worth in aswell,
Me being new to my club (been in it acouple months) i find is worth it for the fact that they help shown me alot taking off landing and so on so i figure the $200.00 Fee a year is worth it when you think about it, it would cost you alot more to teach yourself you would lose alot more than $200 worth of planes, the only thing i dont like about my club is we don't have a smoothe runway
(getting sick of going nose over all the time) but maybe one day we'll have a smoothe one! 
Best of luck and happy flying!
Paul
Me being new to my club (been in it acouple months) i find is worth it for the fact that they help shown me alot taking off landing and so on so i figure the $200.00 Fee a year is worth it when you think about it, it would cost you alot more to teach yourself you would lose alot more than $200 worth of planes, the only thing i dont like about my club is we don't have a smoothe runway
(getting sick of going nose over all the time) but maybe one day we'll have a smoothe one! Best of luck and happy flying!
Paul
03-29-2006 | 04:57 AM
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From: Geraldton, AUSTRALIA
RE: Flying Field Protocol
Our club let you have three days as a guest then you have to pay to use the facilities.
This was explained to me in insurance terms.
If I am not a member I am only covered for three seperate days of flying by the clubs insurance. If I continue to go to the field and fly and I happen to injure someone accidentally or damage someones property, then I am liable for the expenses incurred by the victim of the accident/property damage as well as stand wide open to cop a lawsuit. So the $180 membership fee seems small change compared to a huge lawsuit and medical expenses cause my RX failed or something like that and took someones eye out/fingers off (Or much worse somebody was killed).
I have two more days left and I will be paying my fee's before I get to my third.
And I consider the help and advice that I have already received from the one day I took the plane out and the day or two I went out to have a look-see to be worth what I am going to pay for membership.
I was a bit worried that the people might be hostile or may be snobs etc, but they were all helpful and greeted me as a friend from day one. After all, we share a common interest. I think you will find the nasty pilots wont be in a club because no-one wants them around.
Just my 0.2c.
This was explained to me in insurance terms.
If I am not a member I am only covered for three seperate days of flying by the clubs insurance. If I continue to go to the field and fly and I happen to injure someone accidentally or damage someones property, then I am liable for the expenses incurred by the victim of the accident/property damage as well as stand wide open to cop a lawsuit. So the $180 membership fee seems small change compared to a huge lawsuit and medical expenses cause my RX failed or something like that and took someones eye out/fingers off (Or much worse somebody was killed).
I have two more days left and I will be paying my fee's before I get to my third.
And I consider the help and advice that I have already received from the one day I took the plane out and the day or two I went out to have a look-see to be worth what I am going to pay for membership.
I was a bit worried that the people might be hostile or may be snobs etc, but they were all helpful and greeted me as a friend from day one. After all, we share a common interest. I think you will find the nasty pilots wont be in a club because no-one wants them around.
Just my 0.2c.
03-29-2006 | 07:15 AM
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From: Hurdle Mills,
NC
RE: Flying Field Protocol
Well I just went through all of this. Finally got my AMA card in the mail the other week! I went ahead and paid the $58 for the full membership so I wouldn't have to worry about anything later on. Though the $20 trial membership was tempting. I also joined the club that flys at my uncles airstrip. The yearly dues for them are higher than I'd like. But someones gott be paid to mow the part of the field that we fly on. The dues also go to other things like tables, shelters, and other things.
Flyinrog- Where at do you fly? Your only about 30min-1hr away from me and ya have to pay $30 for vehicle inspection![X(] Here we only pay $9.10 including taxes.[&:]
Flyinrog- Where at do you fly? Your only about 30min-1hr away from me and ya have to pay $30 for vehicle inspection![X(] Here we only pay $9.10 including taxes.[&:]
03-29-2006 | 10:14 AM
#21
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RE: Flying Field Protocol
ORIGINAL: elenasgrumpy
Actually, according to our club president of 30 yrs. You can fly one time without having AMA with an AMA member with his plane & a buddy box, with the trainer master radio in the AMA member's hands. As in he can flip the switch on you & take control of the aircraft at anytime. This is a one time deal, from then on you need to be an AMA member to join or guest fly at our club. Now I haven't personally looked this up in the AMA rules, I'm just going by what I was told by our president. Who I assume wouldn't allow anything to go on that might endanger our club.
Actually, according to our club president of 30 yrs. You can fly one time without having AMA with an AMA member with his plane & a buddy box, with the trainer master radio in the AMA member's hands. As in he can flip the switch on you & take control of the aircraft at anytime. This is a one time deal, from then on you need to be an AMA member to join or guest fly at our club. Now I haven't personally looked this up in the AMA rules, I'm just going by what I was told by our president. Who I assume wouldn't allow anything to go on that might endanger our club.
03-29-2006 | 10:37 AM
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From: Garland, TX
RE: Flying Field Protocol
The intro pilot deal requires that a specific instructor(s) be designated for the program ($5 fee paid to AMA for each designee) and certain written documentation must be maintained by the instructor or club. Here's the AMA document
http://www.modelaircraft.org/PDF-files/906.pdf
http://www.modelaircraft.org/PDF-files/906.pdf
03-29-2006 | 10:51 AM
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From: Columbus,
IN
RE: Flying Field Protocol
Piperchuck et al,
PC, you are most often correct, but here I feel the need to jump in.
Actually, elenasgrumpy described a concept which has existed for years but is only written up in the club charter package. He described it absolutely correctly. It is not the Introductory Pilot Program.
The Introductory Pilot Program allows a non-AMA member to fly their own airplane under the tutalege of an Introductory Pilot for a period of 30 days. There is paper work required by this program. I have been, and am now, an Introductory Pilot.
Technicaly, only an airplane owned by an AMA member or a person signed up for the Introductory Pilot Program mau be flown with coverage by the Insurance. The "one trial flight", my name for it, is available to all of us. This is not to be with the newbie's airplane.
I couold be wrong about this, but I believe that, while a non-member may not fly his/her airplane at an AMA field, A member may test fly and trim the thing. Guess I will have to check out that belief.
As much of fan of the AMA as I am, there is a bit of a problem with the info being in several different places, and not laid out in orderly fashion.
And I probably misspelled "tutalege", but some of you will understand what I meant. The "Spell Check did not object. Must be better than I thought I was.
Ken, AMA 19352
PC, you are most often correct, but here I feel the need to jump in.
Actually, elenasgrumpy described a concept which has existed for years but is only written up in the club charter package. He described it absolutely correctly. It is not the Introductory Pilot Program.
The Introductory Pilot Program allows a non-AMA member to fly their own airplane under the tutalege of an Introductory Pilot for a period of 30 days. There is paper work required by this program. I have been, and am now, an Introductory Pilot.
Technicaly, only an airplane owned by an AMA member or a person signed up for the Introductory Pilot Program mau be flown with coverage by the Insurance. The "one trial flight", my name for it, is available to all of us. This is not to be with the newbie's airplane.
I couold be wrong about this, but I believe that, while a non-member may not fly his/her airplane at an AMA field, A member may test fly and trim the thing. Guess I will have to check out that belief.
As much of fan of the AMA as I am, there is a bit of a problem with the info being in several different places, and not laid out in orderly fashion.
And I probably misspelled "tutalege", but some of you will understand what I meant. The "Spell Check did not object. Must be better than I thought I was.
Ken, AMA 19352
03-29-2006 | 10:54 AM
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From: Columbus,
IN
RE: Flying Field Protocol
Funny, in my last post, to which it appears that I am replying, the Spell Check did not object at all and there are several typos. Then again maybe my firewall messed up the Spell Check.
Purely conjecture on my part, but then there is a lot of that on the AMA forum.
Ken, AMA 19352
Purely conjecture on my part, but then there is a lot of that on the AMA forum.
Ken, AMA 19352
03-29-2006 | 11:19 AM
#25
RE: Flying Field Protocol
ORIGINAL: Mr Foamie
Piperchuck et al,
PC, you are most often correct, but here I feel the need to jump in.
Actually, elenasgrumpy described a concept which has existed for years but is only written up in the club charter package. He described it absolutely correctly. It is not the Introductory Pilot Program.
The Introductory Pilot Program allows a non-AMA member to fly their own airplane under the tutalege of an Introductory Pilot for a period of 30 days. There is paper work required by this program. I have been, and am now, an Introductory Pilot.
Technicaly, only an airplane owned by an AMA member or a person signed up for the Introductory Pilot Program mau be flown with coverage by the Insurance. The "one trial flight", my name for it, is available to all of us. This is not to be with the newbie's airplane.
I couold be wrong about this, but I believe that, while a non-member may not fly his/her airplane at an AMA field, A member may test fly and trim the thing. Guess I will have to check out that belief.
As much of fan of the AMA as I am, there is a bit of a problem with the info being in several different places, and not laid out in orderly fashion.
And I probably misspelled "tutalege", but some of you will understand what I meant. The "Spell Check did not object. Must be better than I thought I was.
Ken, AMA 19352
Piperchuck et al,
PC, you are most often correct, but here I feel the need to jump in.
Actually, elenasgrumpy described a concept which has existed for years but is only written up in the club charter package. He described it absolutely correctly. It is not the Introductory Pilot Program.
The Introductory Pilot Program allows a non-AMA member to fly their own airplane under the tutalege of an Introductory Pilot for a period of 30 days. There is paper work required by this program. I have been, and am now, an Introductory Pilot.
Technicaly, only an airplane owned by an AMA member or a person signed up for the Introductory Pilot Program mau be flown with coverage by the Insurance. The "one trial flight", my name for it, is available to all of us. This is not to be with the newbie's airplane.
I couold be wrong about this, but I believe that, while a non-member may not fly his/her airplane at an AMA field, A member may test fly and trim the thing. Guess I will have to check out that belief.
As much of fan of the AMA as I am, there is a bit of a problem with the info being in several different places, and not laid out in orderly fashion.
And I probably misspelled "tutalege", but some of you will understand what I meant. The "Spell Check did not object. Must be better than I thought I was.
Ken, AMA 19352
tutalege should be "tutelage"
couold should be "could"
I guess the spell check is broken. All in fun.[
