<div id="post_message_16237304">I recently came across a nice piece of land that I could possibly be getting so I can build a field to fly from instead of my gravel road. Since Ive never been to an actual field, I was wondering how big I need to make the runway and what structures need to be built. Also, since its an old field that no longer gets planted, its full of small brush and large stemmed weeds. Wolud it be ok to just work the ground real good, smooth it, and apply ground clear to keep it just dirt or do I need to seed it with grass? Any ideas and/or pics of active fields would be appreciated. The field is approx. 12 acres so I dont think space is a problem. Just ready to get off the gravel. thanx in advance for any help.</div>

Our field is packed dirt with low-trimmed grass. Minimal mowed section would be 20 x 100 to 30 x 150 or so depending on your model size. After that, as long as you can clear. 350 ft without trees would satisfy me . . . and I'd still probably smack one. Our field is about 3,000 x 2,000. Spoils 'ya.

Doing all of that work just for yourself is going to be a huge undertaking. Runways have to be really smooth, which in your case means a couple of full days of heavy equipment work and a load or two of sand minimum. You'll also need to grass it and maintain it. If you don't pack the dirt well enough after moving it around you'll have to regrade everything in a year or two. Alternately, there is a club about 35 miles from you in Pine Bluff. You could probably pay for your membership and travel expenses there for 10 years or longer for what it will cost you to do the initial work on your private field. Of course, if you're thinking about starting a club locally, then more power to ya.

As for doing the dirt work, Not so much a problem as I have access to the equipment needed for that. Im not really looking to start a club necessarily, but I would like to stir up some interest in the hobby around here. Over time, if it turns into a club, then so be it. I not trying to spend a fortune on it either. maybe a workstation and some shade and thats it. I was just looking for some Ideas on What some clubs use so I could have an idea of what you guys use to stay safe while getting ready and tuning and such. I must confess, Im not the safest when it comes to these topics. I fly alone, therefore Im starting without a partner and dont have a second set of eyes to alert me of changes that could be problematic. I was also wondering about size just in case I do generrate some interest then I would be able to accomidate other flyers. I know about how much area I need for landing and takeoffs but since Im not around other flyers, I dont know if Im using more or less space than the average flyer. Its just a thought for now. I still havent made up my mind yet.

BTW, where did you find the club in PB? Ive done searches before and I dont recall ever seeing that one. The closest thing that I remember is over an hour away in Little Rock. I would like to check it out so if you could pm me a link Id appreciate it. Thanx.

another thing to check out is to make sure there are no home, neighbors livestock, ect in the over fly area, you get one person that your flying over thier 100,000.00 prize horse and all that work is for nothing.

and the size of the runway is dictated by the size of models you will be flying, if its park flyers then a small field is fine, but if your flying 1/4 or 1/3 scale you will need 400-600 foot runway at a minimum.

i have maintained my own field at one time and it was a huge amount of work for 1 person, would not do that again

This is our field surface which is rolled earth (hardpan) which can make a fine flying surface and relatively light on maintenance.

We use an old golf course roller with a tow hitch which holds fifty gallons of water for weight. After rains we try to drag and roll the field. Our drags are simple homade affairs. The more this drag and rolling happens the harder the surface becomes and its more difficult for the weeds to come back.

Our runway length is defiinately overkill with the longest one being 900 feet. For conventional glow powered aircraft I would consider an absolute minimum of 300 feet with clear approachs. And be more comfortable with 400 feet for flight training.

John

abaser,

Check these threads out:

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_98...tm.htm#9854398

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_97...tm.htm#9797758

To find the clubs go the AMA website www.modelaircraft.org and there is a club finder there.

I don't want to discourage anyone from taking on a project that they want to do, but I do like to give a guy a head's up on what he's getting himself into when I can. Building a flying field is much more than just dragging out a flat place with a box blade. It'll start there, but you have to remember that just one divot or rock sticking up can rip out a landing gear or cartwheel your plane on takeoff. You have to get the ground very smooth and flat, then pack it in so it stays that way. If you have experience building roads you can probably handle it. Then you'll have to maintain your surface, either by mowing or killing weeds. That's a couple hours of labor a week to maintain a 300 foot runway after you get it built. Do you really have that kind of time to devote to the hobby and still have time to enjoy flying?

Thanx for the replies guys. Unfortunately, Ive decided that its not a good plan. I realized I hadnt thought this through good enough before posting, but then again glad I did. As an earlier post mentions, there is in fact a horse stable just outside of where I would be flying. Heaven knows what would happen if I lost control and hit one of them. I guess the hope of getting a better area for takeoffs and landings got me excited. As far as my area, you cant beat it. just hate flying off of the gravel, getting in the air is a real challenge and landings can be brutal, especially with a taildragger. Oh well, maybe next spring, i can talk a farmer into leaving a slightly larger road beside the field in front of my house. Thanx again for the inputs.

I think you can find field recommendations and layouts at the AMA web site.