so i hear many people talking about how they fly at their clubs. Im not sure if there is one around where i live(santa barbara) can i just fly at my ranch or at the beach with no one around?

I might regret this but, I don't see why not. Alot of people are now going to come after me and say look up a club and get an instructor if you have never flown. That is up to you. I have never needed either one of them.

You can and as long as you maintain safe flight practices, you can maintain your AMA coverage. But, some thoughts:

If you fly alone, it is not as much fun, and not as safe. Particularly in the event of an injury, but also if spectators walk up with kids and/or dogs. Very difficult to maintain situational control while keeping a bird in the air. You can start out alone, but it will not necessarily stay that way.

Know your location relative to RC flying sites and make sure you are at least the prescribed distance away. Better yet, fly with 2.4GHz SS system. You may be clear of an RC field, but there may be others doing the same thing as you.

All this assumes you can fly. If not and you are learning to fly on your own, get ready to learn faster how to be a builder/rebuilder than to be a pilot. Some learn to be a pilot this way, but it is VERY difficult and leads to more abandonments than pilots.

Have fun, whatever you do.

Bedford

To locate AMA clubs go to http://www.modelaircraft.org/

If you do want to find a club
http://www.modelaircraft.org/clubsearch.aspx
There are two within 25 miles of zip code 93014

You do need to find out where the club fields are located. If your flying site is close to them you need to work out frequency control arrangement or use 2.4ghz spread spectrum radio gear.

As long as you're not flying over people, houses, etc; flying over your own property should be ok. Before flying at the beach, be sure there are no ordinances against it. You don't want to get a ticket for flying.

Also, you should have someone with you. That way you have help if you get hurt and t's morefun if you have someone to talk to.

Be aware of slope flyers near beaches ....Please please please Besides those guys are strong from climbing steep areas and cliffs and trees and they will chase you and verbally abuse you pets LOL I live on Mo. But I went sloping for the first time yesterday and my legs can tell!

Considering that you have a ranch in Santa Barbara, I'll assume that you are a millionaire. Therefore you must limit your liability. Don't fly over other people or property and avoid public places. Fly at the ranch as much as you like.

Pilotfighter,

LOL - A ranch in CA and a ranch in TX are two entirely different animals.

Jack

Well, this little ranch, typical of the ranches listed in Santa Barbara cost 3.3 million.

I'd guess that 80% of my flying is done at locations that are not recognized model airfields. You can fly anywhere you want as long as you do so in compliance with the AMA safety code. Be aware that .40 - .60 size models take a lot more room to fly than you might think. Also, as mentioned, flying in an area open to the public generates a lot of curiosity. First thing you know, there are 10 people standing on what you had intended to use as a runway.[X(] Remember these two words when judging a flying site : reasonable, prudent.
Have fun!