Field Ettitiquite
 

At a field locally, the more advanced flyers hog the air most of the day. Making anyone with a trainer wait on them. They will fly close to you like it is a game to them. I donot appreciate it at all. What are the rules to sharing the air? Iam to the point of just flying into them and being done with this hobby!!!

RE: Field Ettitiquite
 

I do not believe there are any hard and fast rules about who fly's when and where. It is more a common courtesy to allow the students to fly for a while or at one end of the field and then just change thing's around. Every club has members that are going to be Butt Heads, so it is something that you just have to wait out. The Karma will sooner or later get them. Don't give up on what you enjoy because a few are not playing fair. Enjoy the hobby to the fullest and make friends with all that you can. Good Luck, Dave

RE: Field Ettitiquite
 

At our club thursday evenings are trainee's only flying with instuctors only!

RE: Field Ettitiquite
 

Yep, as David said, there are buttheads everywhere. Talk to the officers of the club at the field and see what they say about the situation. Most clubs realize that new members are what keep their clubs alive. As for the guys that hog the air. Ego is usually everything to them. A few well placed comments are all it takes to deflate those egos sometimes. "You know, with as much as you hog the air I would have figured you would be a better pilot!" "Is that all you can do??? " "Ok, I've seen you fly. I'm still not impressed."

That may sound silly, but I'm not kidding. Watch pilots like that. They won't fly unless there is a crowd to watch them. If there isn't a crowd, they'll wait for one to gather. The ones that drive me totally up the wall are the guys like this (attention hogs) that stand down on the end of the flight line and keep yelling "hey, watch this!!!" arrgghhh.

Ken

RE: Field Ettitiquite
 

Just remember at one time they were flying trainers, this hobby is one of practice practice practice. Hang in there and keep practicing and soon you can fly anywhere anytime. Its your hobby to, dont let jerks run you off. Unfortunately we are not exempt from some immature people,but thank goodness the majority are some very nice guys. I joined a club a few years ago and met a great bunch of guys that just love airplanes and flying. Good Luck

RE: Field Ettitiquite
 

I agree with rcken, It only takes a small comment to set some one straight. Just a week or so ago a kid keeped making comments about my "come backs" and after a couple of weeks of that I said "I'M SICK OF YOU PUTTING ME DOWN, I'M TIRED OF YOU CRITISIZING ME AND I DIDN'T ASK YOU FOR YOUR OPINION," He hasn't made a comment about me since. Just remember be "firm but fair." Also If it is a maiden voyage or new repair I believe your allowed the air for yourself under M.A.A.C. and possibly AMA rules.


EDIT: or you could just ask them to give you some space, It's worked for me.

RE: Field Ettitiquite
 

It isn't uncommon to have several airplanes in the air at one time. In fact, its pretty normal. Just because they are flying doesn't mean that you have to wait for them to land. You can fly at the same time .
If you are uncomfortable flying with other planes in the air, then say so. Most people would not assume that. They just don't realize you would rather fly alone. I'm sure that you could mention your "comfort" issue to them and they would understand.

RE: Field Ettitiquite
 

Why I hardly ever fly at the field anymore.

RE: Field Ettitiquite
 

When ever there is a newly solo'd pilot, or some one on a buddy box most all at my club will give them a chance to have the sky to themselves. If they say it won't bother them then we fly, but give them plenty of space to practice what ever they are doing. On a maiden of a new plane or major repair, we always stand down. They have enough to worry about. Plus we get to watch and make wisecracks.
venom

RE: Field Ettitiquite
 

As in boating and full size airplanes, it's the responsibility of the faster, more maneuverable, more experienced vehicle/operator to avoid slower, less maneuverable, less experienced vehicles/operators. In other words, they are supposed to stay out of your way.

If their flying is reckless, and endangers people or property, then it's a violation of AMA (and possibly club) rules. Address this to the club officers, starting with the Safety Officer.

I'm one of those pilots who like to "show off" for a crowd. However, I will not fly if there are novices in the air. I respect their air time, inexperience, and desire to fly. Waiting until they land to fly gives me more clear airspace and eliminates the possibility of scaring or intimidating a newbie or having a midair. I can also watch them fly and possibly make suggestions or offer help.

As a last resort, enlist a spotter to help you stay out of their way.

Unfortunately, everyone has one but some ARE one. You'll find rude air hogs in just about every club you go to. Try to address your problem to them first (in private). It's possible they don't realize what's going on. If that doesn't work, then a chat with club officers is in order. If that fails, look for another club. Don't give up the hobby for the sake of a few idiots.

Dr.1

RE: Field Ettitiquite
 

I had simillar problems as well and I will share my ways of fixing it? One, if you are new and younger I have noticed the older/better pilots will not like you for a while. Flying two planes at once is common but also nerve racking. I started attending club meatings and socializing with the members I did get along with. I would bring up the NEED for a "newbie night" as some people made new guy's uncomfortable in the air. Expressing your idea of "fun at the field" with out bashing anyone will get your point acrossed and your goal acomplished. I have even had some of the guy's who did the same things you speak of try to make friends now and i still pay them no mind. I think this bothers there ego more!

RE: Field Ettitiquite
 

After they make their "thing", tell them "We're still waiting! :eek:"

Works everytime! :D

RE: Field Ettitiquite
 

A while back I had a student that was having thoughts about hot dog fliers getting too close and he thought maybe he shouldn't be flying. I told him in a loud voice " just fly your pattern and stay in it, he is experienced and should be able to stay away from you, if he can't > we can fix your trainer, he might not be able to fix his plane ". We didn't have any more problems.

Just stay in a set pattern when someone like that comes up and in most cases you won't have any problems. Besides, it's good to learn to fly with others in the air. ENJOY !!! RED

RE: Field Ettitiquite
 

Weel life is too short to put up with this bs I will find another hobby!!!

RE: Field Ettitiquite
 

Well Tazyboy, it's your choice, but if you are willing to give up this hobby just because of a couple of buttheads then maybe this hobby wasn't for you after all

Or maybe you could find a place where you can fly alone (with your instructor), like a very large open field, with the permission of the land owner of course :)

RE: Field Ettitiquite
 

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RE: Field Ettitiquite
 

Tazz,

Just fly the pattern and force them to yield. They probably have a lot more money in the air than you have in your trainer. Once they see you will not yield and you stay in the pattern, they will back-off. You could even 'accidentally' cross the pattern and act like you are trying to recover while yelling for an instructor...that will keep them clear of you for a while.

I fly at two very nice fields and there are no people like that at all. The guys with 30%-40% planes will yield to anyone and wait their turn. NO MEMBER has more right to the air than any other. You paid your dues too.

Just fly the pattern in your own time and they will be forced to avoid hitting you and damaging their planes. I can't imagine people acting that way...it has happened, but when I was flying my trainer, I just pretended I didn't know any better and FLEW THE PATTERN.


Pay no attention to people making wise-cracks. That can be a sign of acceptance....you're 'one of the guys'. If you biff a landing or doink the prop, just laugh and say 'I bet that NEVER happened to you'. Turn it around...everyone has been where you are right now. Nobody ever learned without stick-time and they all know it.

Get as much time as you can and you will gain the confidence you need to fly with the 'big boys'.

A flying club is like a fraternity and you are a 'pledge', so to speak. When you have been seen at the field working on your new skills, people will bend-over backward to help you out. It may not be right, but it seems to be how things are. DO NOT let anyone's attitude or rudeness force you out of the best hobby that God ever invented.


Good Luck!!

RE: Field Ettitiquite
 

at our field there is a 20 min rule if there is a few guys waiting you must yield and allow the next in line to fly his time. if there is a available slot in the rotation you are allowed to take your plane up if the net in line yields to you, most days there is not a crowd but on sundays there can be a few guys in line .civility is the key its in our club rules so there is not any question as to the proper etiquette its spelled out for every one to read for themselvs fortunitly there are real gentlmen at our club and I have never seen a conflict myself

RE: Field Ettitiquite
 

This is a great hobby, and there will always be jerks in what ever hobby you choose. I fly at a large field, no club fees. Most of the guys from the local club fly here also, because it is an east facing field verses there west facing site. Everyone takes turns, and the exeperineced pilots often encourge the newer members to put something in the air and "Show us what you've learned" The flights end with positive reinforcement before pointing out the areas that need improvement. This makes a big difference so they feel good about there skills.
When an experienced pilot does something like fly most of his session inverted, we tell the new pilots, " See now with a little more practice He'll be able to control it so it doesn't keep flipping on to it's back like that."

RE: Field Ettitiquite
 

yep ... and if all else fails, find out what freq they're on and make things interresting for them. ... Just kidding. I ran into the same thing here. It cost a little, but I cleared off just over 12 acres for a front yard, now I fly when I want.

RE: Field Ettitiquite
 

Hehehe! now that's funny! I'll have to remember that! Thanks! :D

RE: Field Ettitiquite
 

Quitting the hobby becuase of a few jerkoffs will get you no where. You have invested too much into the hobby, ie plane, radio, equipment, to just post it all on ebay. With that kind of attitude, i dont think youll get much out of flying airplanes anyway. I have problems like that too. Since im the only kid at the field (actually, only person under 25, im 17), nobody likes to talk to me becuase they think im inexperienced and wont submit to the conversation. I even tried to look at a guys plane remains after a crash and another old guy just walked in front of me. I still dont let this bs get me down. I came to fly and fly is what i intend to do. Its true that i dont attend any club meetings well maybe thats because i have school, homework and having my dad drive me at 8 at night to a church in staten island whihc is a good 45 minutes away from me every tuesday night isnt what i plan to do. The only person i can have fun with in the hobby is my instructor who is a kind man that always will lend a hand or give some advice.

Just my point of view.

samolot

RE: Field Ettitiquite
 

This is why I don't go out to the field on the weekends anymore. I'm an experienced pilot too.

We have the weekend crowd. I call them the "weekend warriors". They work all week, and it's understandable that they want to get out and bang the sticks on the weekend. But, some of them are first class idiots, and a few of them are downright jerks. Not all of them--but enough of them that it makes me not want to be around them. So, I just stay away on the weekend.

I do my flying during the week. Rarely ever see anyone. When I do see another guy, it's almost always one of the normal guys, just like me. We can talk and harrass each other, and tell stupid jokes. All is calm and easy going.

Thats how I fixed my problem with some of the members at our field. They fly on Saturday and Sunday--I fly on Monday, Teusday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. :D It's always windy on the weekends anyway. [:-]

RE: Field Ettitiquite
 

If you are flying basic pattern rules and doing your best. The heck with them. I have seen many a nice $3000 plane get nailed by a cheap POS and you know what? Thats just too bad.

RE: Field Ettitiquite
 

I've been avoiding our regular flying field here on weekends because of the crowds. Seems like mid-airs are fairly common and I've experienced radio interference as well. Having 3 or 4 planes in the air with mine makes me a little nervous especially since I'm fairly new. Its even busy on weekdays.

There's tons of public land here (open space, BLM, etc) and you just need a little dirt strip to take off and land. Love the peace & solitude.

Take a jug of water or sodas and a sandwich and make an afternoon of it.

My planes have air and fuel filters and its perfectly OK to take off and land on dirt.

Since flying out in the "boonies" I've progressed from just barely taking off/landing to loops, rolls, and inverted flight in just a few weeks.

So DON'T GIVE UP! Just find a new place to fly.

Dave