Can I fly there?

[900ss]

Stupid question time from a newbie

My house backs onto a large public playing field ....
I’ve used my petrol r/c car/nitro cars on there many times n no ones said nowt or complained.
Now seriously thinking of buying a heli, be it nitro or elec powered, but I’m not sure where I stand with those.
Am I allowed to fly a heli on a public playing field?
Can I get nicked for it/ have my stuff confiscated by the ol bill?
As I have two small elec helis already (twister/venom) but consider them of no concern due to size?
At what point would size matter? If that’s the right way to put it lol.

Forgot to add n sort of along the same lines, but I don’t know why I keep thinking of this ...
Can you legit fly a heli from a beech front out over the sea?
i.e Bogna Regis etc ?

[Steve]

Go to a recognised and established club. You'll never fly a heli without lessons.

As for flying it where you like - make sure you get BMFA insurance first, but even then when you've got that, it's better if you fly at a registered club site.

[Fixer]

Why would you want to risk dumping your Heli in the sea?
You must have the landowner’s permission and BMFA cover.

[900ss]

Go to a recognised and established club. - make sure you get BMFA insurance first.

Cheers
How is the premium worked out on a heli?
Is it an age/CC thing as in car insurance?

Why would you want to risk dumping your Heli in the sea?

I wouldn’t
I just like the idea of flying over the sea
Not saying its practical at all, more is/would it be legit to do it?

[stumpy]

flyin a nitro heli in a public park will attract unwanted attention and is not a good idea (especially for a novice)
go with the bmfa insurance. the advice is free and sound. 5m third party cover for £26 sounds like value to me

[900ss]

So …
As nasty as it sounds n so to get this right
£26 for 5m … minutes/ months? Would cover me if I killed someone with my heli?

Anyone one want someone bumped off (poor joke I know )

[Raptorite]

I think in order to fly in a public place, you need to adhere to the BMFA's display and competition flying rules. In which case you need to be BMFA "B" certificate qualified and have things like a frequency scanner running at the location for at least 30 minutes before the flight and for the entire duration of the flight. There are a whole series of other rules and regulations you also need to adhere to.

If the land is private, then that is a different proposition altogether, as long as you have the owners permission and you have the necessary BMFA insurance, you can fly there with no problems, although flying in solitude is not a good idea from a safety point of view, never mind the fact that you will end up going though a long and tortuous path in learning to fly model helicopters.

In your situation, by far the best bet is to seek out a local club and fly with them, for one thing you will get lots of help and will pick it up far quicker and another big thing is it is in a secure and safe environment.

You can find a list of clubs in your area on the BMFA web site at www.bmfa.org

Cheers,
Pete.

[Kwickkwack]

So …
As nasty as it sounds n so to get this right
£26 for 5m … minutes/ months? Would cover me if I killed someone with my heli?

Anyone one want someone bumped off (poor joke I know )

I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong., but by joining the BMFA, your £26.00 will give you £5.000,000.00 third party insurance cover for a period of 12months, Dont take any chances, Join a club, and get the benefit of other peoples experience as well, it will be cheaper in the long run

[Thomas]

Has anyone used the BMFA insurance or do they wriggle of of claims like the BPA (parachute assocation) do?

[Smoothound]

If you fly at sanctioned clubs then I reckon you are OK.


For people who fly at sites with the local landowners permission are probably on very shakey ground should the worst come to the worst knowing how insurance companies work

We have had this discussion about Mill Hill on numerous occaisions and although its a sanctioned glider site there are a multitude of pathways running through under the flightline that are in regular use that would make an insurance company shit themselves should they actually view the site. Add to that the fact that many fliers there are now using electric powered models which aren't sanctioned there it becomes a minefield if you should need your cover for any reason

[robgt]

I know you weren't serious , but it's worth mentioning...
If you kill someone with a heli/plane, you'll end up in gaol.
A famous french RC plane pilots plane glitched and went out of control at a public show (I don't recall his name or the details, maybe someone else does?).
The plane flew into the crowd and killed 2 (I think) people and injured others. He was gaoled for manslaughter.
You have to be very careful and the BFMA have strict (but sensible) rules for the protection of all in this hobby.
Joining a club is the best bet all round
The best thing about a club is you are very much less likely to have a frequency clash as clubs tend to be away from areas where other people might happen to turn on their Tx, and have frequency control in place - if that happens on your channel, you can kiss your heli goodbye
Cheers,
Rob

[Smoothound]

Sooner we get Spread Spectrum here the better, no need for frequency control if there is no room on the band you can't turn on it's that simple. I've already ordered a DX7 for my flying up the hill because of the complete twats that seem to be attracted there now

[Steve]

What's a DX7?

[Smoothound]

7 Channel Tx from Horizon Hobby in the US, it's basically a JR set.


http://www.runryder.com/helicopter/t298150p1/