I dont ever fly alone. For a couple reasons, I have been flying for about a year and have heard about and seen some nasty scars. I have flown with no other piliots at the field but I always bring somebody with me just in case something should go wrong (which I hope it never does happen!!) I think rc flying is not just about flying but its talking to other pilots and having a good laugh. I am still in school so I really dont have time to fly alone but during the summer the owner of the LHS flies one wed. so I go out on wed. to fly.

It comes down to what your comfortable with. Some people just pass out at the sight of blood and not necessarily the one thats hurt. Only warning you get, is thier knees wooble just before they go down.
I see flying alone , no different than spending the day in the woods alone with a chainsaw cutting firewood , or working in my shop with power tools. Safety starts with ones self.
The more people flying, the greater the odds are that Murphy is going to show up. So policing each other becomes a must , and I`m never offended when something is pointed out to me I`m doing wrong. Well as long as they don`t get in my face about it.

If you think someone is about to pass out, look at the bridge over their nose. It'll go pale just before they go out.

As for flying alone, it's a bad idea for any beginner.

As for an experienced flyer, it's about as dangerous as mowing your grass by yourself. So treat it accordingly.

I like to fly with other people who like to fly, but I enjoy the times I have the field to myself as well.

It really depends on just who the others are. I can't stand flying with the guys who assemble planes, talk about flying for like 6 hours and then disassemble planes to go home....I would rather fly alone. I really enjoy flying with the guys who push each-other to improve and challenge me to do things better, lower, slower, smoother and better.

I don't want to fly with people who think they know it all, reject anything other than what they know or find new and inventive ways to whine, moan and comiserate.

I prefer to fly with people who take this hobby with a grain of salt, and realize that we are flying TOY airplanes for fun and enjoyment, even if some of them are thousands of dollars a piece.

If it came down to a choice of flying alone or flying with the whiners, I would choose to fly alone. Thank God for Foamies....you can fly them ANYWHERE.

yes, we are a very talented species but the only real "Flying" weve done is when we sneak up behind each other and kick them out of the trees

ive just been up the field on my own, its nice when your soloing or practicing becausr you can concentrate more on what your doing and you know theres nothing else up in the sky to collide with, or half a dozen pairs of eyes watching you fly

Depends on who the other people are... =-)

I personally hate flying alone. I prefer to have friends around to fly with.

I went out one night toward the last hours of daylight and everyone was packing up and heading out. Soon I was alone, and felt lonely. Then a couple of vans came screaming up the hill and I really realized how vulnerable I was there in the middle of nowhere all alone. Turned out they just wanted the field to land their hot air balloon. Other times, I've gone when it's crowded and just keep my trainer in the truck since I'm a beginner, and I don't want to gum up the field with my newbiness. But even then, I always seem to end up chatting with someone, usually an old-timer who isn't flying either, and I end up thinking I would't trade the day for anything. There are old-timers just looking for conversation, if you give them a minute. Or an hour. What better way to spend some time than making someone else's day just by being there to talk.

I often fly alone simply because there is very little activity at our club flying field.
Most of the time it is nice to have other people around. Sometimes I prefer to be alone, especially during calm evenings with almost clear skies and a setting sun at the horizon. On those occasions I like to fly low and slow making feather light touch and goes and circuits. I find this very relaxing, almost like meditating.

On a safety point, if you fly alone bring a cell phone in case of emergencies! I had an accident at the flying field about two decades ago that left me almost incapable of driving the car from the flying field. I had a serious propeller cut in my arm caused by my own negligence. There was a lot of blood and after a while I managed to apply a tourniquet. I was severly chocked and fainted while walking to the car, but eventually made it to the hospital. After that accident I bought a cell phone.

The question doesn't require a poll.
I personally like to fly with others because the hobby, to me, involves the cameraderie and exchange of information found a the flying field when others are present.

Jon-

I prefer to have someone else at the field for fellowship and safety, although I occasionally fly alone. That said, I also prefer to either be the only plane in the air or have no more than one other up with me. I don't like to worry about a crowd.

From a safety perspective, I disagree with the statement that flying alone is no more dangerous than mowing your yard alone. I have no concerns that my mower might backfire, causing the blade to fly off and hit me. I don't have to reach down near the mowerblade to tune the mower engine. Whether I am flying alone or with someone, I am extra-careful around the prop. This is largely because I cut off a finger with a table saw last year.

Despite being careful, accidents still happen. When I was at the field (your field) on Sunday, our safety officer had a thrown prop hit him in the stomach, making a nasty gash. I also had a prop thrown off my plane, which I managed to dodge.

Ouch! Thought that look fairly new.

Robbie-

Yep, but some buddies got me back flying about two weeks after it happened with a transmitter tray. Now I'm back to holding my transmitter the normal way.

-Scott

I currently don't belong to a club and fly mostly electrics, so I like having the skies to myself. So in that sense, I like flying alone, but its much better when you have someone on the ground to talk to while you are flying and they are enjoying watching you fly. I actually don't have many opportunities to fly with anyone, so if I ever get the chance Ill let you know if my stance changes .

My largest problem is I am in real estate so my days are generally free and nights and weekends tend to be busier. I also don't knwo whe I might be free as much as I should.

I look forward to seeing you at the field Scott

Jon Hanna

Come on up to our club , I`m usually there a lot during the day. Bring Scott with you.
We having a Wiener Wing over the 18th , the more the merrier . Word of caution, we are surrounded by balsa eating corn, and good times. Hmnmm Maybe I can talk MinnFlyer into showing up?


[link=http://www.robbiepro.coolbuild.com/page/page/4814240.htm]Calender of events[/link]

I cut my index finger to the bone at nine years old flying control line alone and have a great scar to show for it. It's all about risk you're comfortable with.

I'm getting back into the hobby after a long layoff and even though I treasure my current times at the field with an old friend and mentor, the way for me back into flying is taking responsibility and flying alone.

I don't EVEN want to know!

Sorry Robbie, I have an event with my daughter that day. I'd like to get up there sometime though.

ok i am a little confused here about this thread. not sure if your talking about flying with other people's plane in the air or if your just talking about other people at the feild, none the less i enjoy both. me and my dad usualy fly our skyfly parkflyers and Parkzone warbirds together. we are not at a flying feild tho. we usualy go find a nice spot in BFE and fly its always great fun.....we dont like rules.[:-][:'(][:-]

I usually start out flying alone as I am an early riser and beat everyone to the flying field. I get about an hour to myself which is nice, I can have the whole sky to myself with no distractions, however I don't mind flying others until there are more than 4 airplanes up.

I like to fly alone but I do enjoy a friend flying with me as well. Either way is fine. Although I like my piece and quiet alone time!