The model store owner toll me you are not suppose to flying gas powered model(electric O.K.) in the public area such as school field or park. If you get caught, you will be fine $500 plus any damages you might cause. The best place to fly is to go to the RC park with AMA regulated field. Is that true?

I went ahead and bought a AMA membership. I was at the flying field last weekend. This person was flying without AMA membership who was using my frequency spot. Should I just ask him to leave the field?

Chris

Each place has it rules in place for a reason. He might have his card or is in the proses of getting one.

1) It is a violation of the AMA rules to allow non-members to use an AMA facility. This can jeopardize the clubs AMA charter. Yes, you should ask them kindly to post their AMA card on the frequency board. If they don't have one you should ask them kindly to leave. Not fun, but it must be done. Besides, if you can afford a plane or heli then you should be able to afford a ~$48 annual insurance policy! There really are no valid reasons to not join the AMA.

2) You should check with your City/County park dept and verify if there are any regulations prohibiting RC aircraft. Most likely there are not. In addition, if you are an AMA member then you are insured to fly where you wish. As long as you have permission from the landowner be it private or public land. So, check with your local govt agencies but I think your model store owner is full of it!! Sounds like he wanted to sell you an electric.

I can ask the person to leave. I was afraid he might be pissed off and turn on his transmitter on the way out while I was flying my helicopter.

Chris

You didn't say where you are - in quite a few places the club fields are actually located on public land, some on park land. The two closest club fields to me are both on "public land", on one the county owns the land (I believe technically it is park land) but lets the club control and maintain it. The other is on a public, city owned and maintained airport - again, the public agencies have given use of the property to the club to use, but it's still public land.

There are others around I know are located on public use county owned parkland which have areas that are commonly used for flying.

Your county or city might have regulations prohibiting the use of anything but electric aircraft, but his statements aren't universally true. Best thing to do is call your parks department and find out for sure, then use common sense to decide where to fly (club fields are usually your best bet anyway).

I fly in El Monte, California 91731. There is one big AMA flying field, Whittier Narrow park nearby.

Chris