Flying RC while sitting down?
 

I never see people on the flight line flying while sitting down, with the exception of the SAM guys, that is. They even put their transmitters on the ground, go get a cup of coffee, and come back to thier seats and continue 'flying'.

Do any of you sit while flying RC? Just curious. If not, why not?

The reason I ask is because my lower back seems to begin to ache after standing up for a couple hours at the field and I never see people sitting down on the flight line. I was wondering if there was some un-written rule about that.

DS.

RE: Flying RC while sitting down?
 

We insist fliers stand (except if handicapped) for two reasons: safety and air hogging. It's hard to duck or dodge when you're sitting, and if you're up for over 15 minutes someone will come along and kick you in the back of the knee to remind you others may be waiting for a chance at your frequency pin. Well, not that drastic, but with our club if you let them sit in the sun they'd be knodding off while their planes fell from the skies like sheep.

I used to lay on my back when gliding . . . and that almost had disasterous results. Zzzzzzzz.

RE: Flying RC while sitting down?
 

At our field we have a couple of people who have back or legs problems and cannot stand for any length of time. We have a couple of tall stools
that we let them use while flying. It is very helpful to them. They are able to continue doing something they love. It is a joy to see them continue to
fly.

RE: Flying RC while sitting down?
 

Charlie P: I just bought the new DX7 so frequency hogging won't be a problem.. :)

But, I do see you point there. As the next poster said, a stool could be a good thing.

Thanks.

DS.

RE: Flying RC while sitting down?
 

We have a dedicated stool at our field for my dad.

RE: Flying RC while sitting down?
 

One of the guys in my club brings along a stool. He doesn't use it on busy days, but at the end of the day when most people have gone home, it's not unusual for him to sit on the stool while flying one of his cubs.

RE: Flying RC while sitting down?
 

My lower back usually lasts about two or two and a half hours and then it gets to the point where I have to just sit down or leave. I hate to head home when things are just beginning to happen. I usually get there early enough to get in several flights before the field starts to get crowded (over 10 flyers). Then we just take turns flying which usually gives me ample time to rest my back for 5 minutes, but there are times, like at fun fly's, when I just get to busy to sit and that takes it's toll after a while. And as I said, I just don't want to leave.

Ok.. thanks for the input, guys. It's truly a pain to get old, ya know?

DS.

RE: Flying RC while sitting down?
 

Getting old is not for wimps!

RE: Flying RC while sitting down?
 

Some glider guiders seem to like using folding chairs that let them really recline and not strain their necks. They always get up for the landing.

RE: Flying RC while sitting down?
 

A couple of the guys bring stools and we also have a couple of tall stools for everyone to use. I have used one to sit on and rest my back a few times. Flying while sitting seems to be more difficult or maybe just different. Landing while sitting is definitely more difficult for me. Can't hurt for you to try it, it will help rest your back.
Fred

RE: Flying RC while sitting down?
 

I almost always fly when there isn't anybody else at the field. I take out my nice padded deck chair with padded arm rests and fly sitting when I don't want to stand. If someone else shows up I put it in the trunk. I like to fly by myself or my son and the other members seem to not like the idea of young people flying. My son is 11 and he is just learning how to fly. I have always been a loner so I like the peace and solitude of just him and I at the field. The best part is we don't have to wait for other flyer's. Don't get me wrong I do fly with other people and have a bunch of friends in the club, I just prefer to fly alone.

Gibbs

RE: Flying RC while sitting down?
 

We have a couple of tall stools that stay at the field. I sit on one to fly. I have a lot of neurological problems plus excess curvature in my spine. Combine that with being overweight and I end up hurting before a 10 minute flight is up if I stand. My brother helps me at the field. We set the flight timer at 10 minutes and land when it starts beeping.

We also have one member who uses an electric wheelchair. He modified the seat lock so he can swivel freely to keep his plane in sight. He has a tow strap for his plane. He taxis to the edge of the runway, hooks up, and tows his plane to the pits

RE: Flying RC while sitting down?
 

We still have only four stations and allow only four fliers at a time. The guy with the 32 oz tank on his OS .52 is still going to get empty Coke cans beaned off the back of his head after 15 minutes in the air. :D

RE: Flying RC while sitting down?
 

We also have a four plane limit. We're a 40 person club and rarely have more than 10 people at the field at any time. Everyone is pretty courteous about sharing flight time.

RE: Flying RC while sitting down?
 

Several of us bring chairs to sit in while not flying.
KW_Counter

RE: Flying RC while sitting down?
 

Sounds like the coffee pot is too far away;)

Seems to me like there ought to be allowance for someone to sit if they need to. This sounds like an issue that should be handled on a local level within the context of the participating members.

I remember a fellow at Rabbit Lake in Southern California who would entertain us by flying aerobatics while riding a unicycle.

RE: Flying RC while sitting down?
 

Before I had a back operation I used to use a stool to sit/lean on when instructing. I still would now and then but I don't really feel the need for it any more. Maybe if I do as much instructing as I did back then I may go back to it.
If you feel you need a chair or stool --- use it. To me a rule that says you can't use one better have some good foundation to it. Sounds odd to me.
If you do use a chair, you will probably see why most people don't sit. I did find a stool to help. ENJOY !!! RED

RE: Flying RC while sitting down?
 

Great question, in our club we have a communal bench with a couple of folding chairs. Fliers stand up, that's the way it seems to be. We're only 20 senior members and so we could make a judgement on an individual if necessary, otherwise one or two fly simultaneously by consent.

My 11-year-old boy on the other hand needs to learn the art of "waiting his turn", something that, three years in he hasn't yet mastered...


Regardss,
Andy

RE: Flying RC while sitting down?
 

Perhaps by sitting, my damn knee's would stop shaking...

RE: Flying RC while sitting down?
 

I've just posted then re- read your original post (which is probably slightly bad form!!!). If you have problem back which causes this sort of thing them you need to work out what the right course of action for each of your recreational persuits should be. AND if you run out of time, so be it. Rest/play/rest/play sounds about right. IMHO we're only flying for 15 mins or so so you should be alright, perhaps a bit of help in the pits but we all do that, don't we...

RE: Flying RC while sitting down?
 

One of my students is a retired teacher who wears leg braces (Polio.) I noticed he would have the jitters early in the flying session, then calm down and fly well until we got to about 6 or 7 minutes. At that point his control would become erratic, and get worse. I finally figured out that was about his limit for standing - his legs would become rubbery.

I suggested he try one of the patio chairs we keep in the shelter. Instead, he brought a stool from home. With that stool supporting him, we've had training flights as long as 17 minutes duration, without him getting erratic.

I'm hoping he solos next spring, and keeps bringing out that stool.

Best wishes,
Dave Olson

RE: Flying RC while sitting down?
 

I don't have any problems standing, but I made a small bench to sit on on lazy days. If you want to make the trip, you can come and use it, I won't mind. Just lean it back against the tree when you're done.....:D

1/3 Scale Ferrari with custom built 12 cyl motor - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3NVJ4pEFuY&NR

RE: Flying RC while sitting down?
 

we have a bunch of chairs and tables at our field, if sitting is your thing, sit if you like to, stand if ya like to stand.
our members are a good lot so hogging a pin seems to never be a issue communication is the key it seems.
other than weekend days there is hardly any one out at our field sometimes 1 or 2 will show up if its nice in the afternoon.
we have a weather cam so its a easy check, and a wind gage connected to a phone to call, its handy for sure.
if it were a safety issue or due to over crowding then I could see a point in a reg. but we are a laid back bunch maybe its a CA thing seems a little over the top to tell people they can't sit if they need to.

I am a bit biased one of my son's is in a wheel chair and he will be sitting while flying.

if your club is on private land then just about any thing goes, but if your club is on public land or in a Nat. or state park its a good thing to check with the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) to see if a non sitting regulation is legal if someone has a legitimate reason to use a chair such as a person with polio or other reason then that person is entitled to facilitate his/her participation if sitting is part of that there may be regulations superseding your club rules and may be subject to civil or criminal penalties including revocation of club charter and use of public land.

something to think about

RE: Flying RC while sitting down?
 

My back bothers me after awhile so I sit while flying my airplane. It brings my attention back to my plane instead of thinking how much my back starts hurting. I get up to land when we have an interesting landing conditions. As for getting hit at the station it has happened but it hit my chair I lifted my legs up and kept flying. there was no way I would have dodged the strike if I had been standing because the plane came down pilot station during an aborted takeoff so I only had about 20 feet from where he started his takeoff roll to impact and was only about 5 or 6 feet away before the threat was noticed. Anything can happen good or bad just make sure if you use the chair it is strong enough not to collapse and is solid on the ground not to sink on you

RE: Flying RC while sitting down?
 

I know someone who flies sitting from time to time. Not handicapped......just LAZY! lol.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y26...c/IMG_0893.jpg