Hi again.

So, I have my first plane, and have never been to a flying field before. I have two questions.

1. The RTF Alpha 40 I bought came with two plastic "flags" that have a 4 on one side, and a 3 on the other. I know this represents the channel my radio uses (43), but what do I do with them? Do I hang them on the Tx antenna when flying, or is there another purpose?

2. There is a dedicated flying field not far from me that I plan to use, but what about flying at other public locations? For example, there are several large parks in the area that are maintained by the township. Aside from any local ordinances (which I have not been able to find) that prevent it, is there any reason I can't fly there?

Once I'm able to fly solo, I just want to know what my options are. Thanks in advance for any input!

Unless its a very small foamy type electric plane(park flyer) I would highly advise against flying anywhere other than a designated field or farm etc. Even at the hands of experienced pilots....people can get seriously injured by an out of control airplane. Besides...you would have much better success flying along side experienced pilots that can give you tips and help you correct any errors.

If you are using a typical 72 MHz transmitter, the signal can travel over 1 mile and perhaps as far as 2 mile. That means that you can shoot down another plane with about a 6 square mile area. You may think you are flying alone but in fact you could be mesing with someone else's plane or they could be shooting you down.

If you want to fly "off field" you sould get a 2.4 GHz transmitter.

All good info, and the reason I asked.

Thank you both.

fly at a flying field. i would also suggest getting in touch with an instructor as it will save the integrity of your plane.. you will crash, but an instructor can help keep crashes to a minimum, in turn keeping repair time and repairs themselves (which in the beginning can decrease the integrity of the plane by adding weight etc. as well as taking away the pretty of the plane) i was self taught but if i could go back i probably would get in touch with an instructor bc i repaired frequently, although repairing was enjoyable to me, crashing was not enjoyable at all, it broke any confidence i had built up, and at times made me want to give up! you are at the right spot/ mindset getting on here and asking questions and searching answers is a great place to start! one good thing to do is to go ahead and get your AMA card right now bc if you purchase after sept. 15th you get membership for the rest of 07 and all of 08 for the price of one year! anyway, just good info and also a lifesaver if you damage anything besides your plane, AMA pays for it! cheap insurance plus other benefits.. your local club will require you have it but if you go off somewhere on your own its a good idea to go ahead and get it.. good luck man! oh and about the channel flag, the local flying field will should have what they call an impound where you check your radio freq. and if no one else has that freq. then you grab the pin and most times just clip it to your antenna but you can also use your flag along with the freq. clip but dont just go out there and put your flag up and turn it on without checking with the guys out there first they will instruct you on what to do etc. good luck man! have fun!

fozjared,

Thanks for the reply. I have applied for my AMA membership. The local club requires it, and I also need it to get a permit from the county since the flying field is part of a forest preserve.

Otherwise, I plan to spend as much time as I can at the field for all of the reasons you mentioned. I need instruction at this point, and I want to support the club since they pay to maintain the field. I just wanted to know what the potential implications were of flying elsewhere in case it comes up in the future.

So far, this forum has been extremely helpful. I plan to keep coming back, assuming you guys don't get tired of my stupid questions.

the only stupid question is the one not asked

If you have yet to buy a transmitter, consider a 2.4 GHz model from Spektrum, JR or Futaba. These do not require frequency control This is very important if you have any plans of flying away from a club field.

for some reason a glow engine will attract people from all over...like ants to a picnic...
so here you are all alone at your park, you start up taxi into position and take off the next thing you know your surrounded by kids and parents..the runway is gone cause there are kids all over it....so what do you do you're now flying a plane with a sharp object on the nose (spinner) followed by a rotory knief (prop)
IMHO flying a glow powered plane in a park is a law suit waiting for a court room..stick to your field

No one answered your first question, which I will do now. That flag serves two purposes. It shows your frequency in bold colors, and it acts a sort of a wind sock. Hang it at the tip of your 72 MHz TX antenna (US frequencies). What we usually do is just extend our arms to length and put this 'flag' up so it's in the wind and see what direction it (the wind) is coming from just before we take off (of course). We point the nose of the aircraft so it is oriented to face the wind for take off against the wind, or upwind.

As far as your other question is concerned, I think others have covered that pretty well.

CGr

The loud noise of a glow engine IS like a magnet. I would also would not recommend flying where it can attract a crowd. This is one of the reasons that Electrics are now so popular. You can put an electric plane up in an open field and fly for an hour and no one will likely even know you are there. In addition, most of the small electrics can be hand launched so there is no need for a runway.

If you fly glow, keep it on a club field unless you have a large piece of private land.

I would also make a frequency pin and carry it in your flight box. A frequency pin is a 4"x4" piece of wood (usually light ply) that is painted white and has your frequency number on it. It should also have a clothes pin glued to it that acts as an attachment device. Some clubs require you to post a frequency pin when your plane is in the air as an additional visual indication of the frequency you are using. Some clubs have other forms of indicating the usage of a frequency and don't require a pin; however, in those instances I still use my pin as an additional indicator. You can't have too much safety.

1. Do I hang them on the Tx antenna when flying, or is there another purpose? Hang the flags from the TX antenna. They identify which channel you're on to other pilots. Also, most controlled flying sites have a frequency control system. Be sure to get your instructor to tell you about that the first thing. Follow their rules to keep from being shot down or from shooting anyone else down.

2. There is a dedicated flying field not far from me that I plan to use, but what about flying at other public locations? For example, there are several large parks in the area that are maintained by the township. Aside from any local ordinances (which I have not been able to find) that prevent it, is there any reason I can't fly there?
Even though there may not be a sign or ordinance specifically preventing flying R/C planes, most municipalities and/or counties have a two general laws called "reckless endangerment" and "public nuisance" on the books. Both of these can be used to stop R/C flying in any space controlled by that local government. When you find a good place to fly (being sure it's not closer than 3 miles to an established flying site), work with the local officials and be sure you have their full understanding of what you want to do, and their WRITTEN permission to do the same. Also, wherever you do fly, be sure you will not be flying over people or property such as buildings, livestock, etc.

Dr.1

Hi!
Hanging the frequency flag from the top of the antenna is no good! If windy the antenna will swirl all around!!
Hang the flag at the base of the antenna.

Yes, the frequency tag goes at the base of the antenna and if you drill a hole in the plastic plate you can put a tie wrap on it to make sure it won't fall off. You probably also have a red streamer and a plastic cap, this goes on the tip of your antenna and helps guage wind direction but more importantly it makes the tip more visible so no one pokes themselfs in the eye with it or something to that effect.

Thanks to all for the info. It's very helpful!

Missileman & jaka,

I do have both. After further investigation, the plastic "4" & "3" flags, flaps, whatever slide over the antenna and go all the way down to the base. The red cloth flag that says, "72 MHz AIRCRAFT USE ONLY" is specifically designed to clip to the top of the antenna. I think I get it now.

I'm going to try and get out to the field, time & weather permitting, this week to see if I can make contact with some of the local fliers.

Thanks again.

Are you talking about that red banner or the little plastic placard that comes with the TX to identify the frequency you are on?

Both, I think. Maybe this will help:

The red banner is put on the end of the antenna. It's placed there so that others can quickly identify that your radio is on 72 Mhz, designated for aircraft use. The 43 numbers are slipped over the antenna and rest there on the antenna. It's for others to quickly identify what channel your radio is.

Ken

If at all possible.

Find a flying club and just talk to SEVERAL members. SEVERAL, because you may just first talk to the club idiot and he will screw you up.

How do I know that fact of life ?

Cyclops2 speaks truth. You can visit a club field and speak to some unfriendly people. And chances are the jerk you speak to is there with his close buddy and he is a jerk too. Then you come back another time and meet some of the nicest people in the world. It is just like any other community.