Can I fly wherever I like?

[What_a_Chopper!]

Suffice to say that those notices on some areas that say 'no flying model aircraft' , can I legally fire up my heli and fly about wherever I want?

[Raptormadsteve]

Grey area mate you need to speak to local authority or landowner also reasurch clubs in the area. Also not allowed to fly nitro on public land unless its a flying club.. electric i fly at my local park with no problems. But the long and short is no you aint really supposed to technically speaking.
Regards Steve

[Thomas]

You need to join the BMFA to get third party insurance, if you fly on an area without permission then you will not be covered.

Common sence really, fly a Trex on the village green and no one will give a toss but powering up a nitro model would only be stupid but the locals would go ape too, on the other hand if you on a moor in the middle of no where, who is going to mind what you fly?

[Steve]

If there's a notice saying 'no flying', doesn't that suggest that there's been a problem in the past?

[LipolyGone]

Im sure Ive heard of a limit restriction set by the BMFA for what are deemed park fly type models & hence allowed to be flown without legislation but I am unsure what it is set too.
As has been pointed out this is a very grey area & you realy need to take great care where you fly. Even if you are a BMFA member & have the 3rd party liability insurance if you dont adhere to the ANO (air navigation order) your insurance will be worthless! You are solely responsible for your Helicopter & must ensure it doesnt endanger people or property, go take a look at this link for the BMFA's policy on safety it is very sound advice.
http://www.bmfa.org/safety.htm

Martin

[Disc]

Best bet is top join a Club

Club BMFA list is here:

http://www.bmfa.org/clubs/clist.php

Even a T-rex or 400 size hits a kid in a park I really wouldn't want to be the pilot thats for sure. Even a small 400 size could do some nasty damage.

Fly safe join a Club

[What_a_Chopper!]

Some really persuasive (in favour of being in a club field/insurance etc., but do I read between the lines that electric machines attract less attention?

[Disc]

Some really persuasive (in favour of being in a club field/insurance etc., but do I read between the lines that electric machines attract less attention?

Only because of the noise level of a nitro machine. Actually a well flown electric you'll hear that as well.

But really its irrevelvent to fly without insurance in a park or public area is just stupidity.

Even more so say for example you know of a Club that used a public open space and you think ah I'll just fly over there in the courner as soon as you switch on a 35mhz radio set there is a chance you could send a model out of control. Or you could be flying and they switch on hey presto a problem. A Park near house's and someone switchs on say medivac on 35mhz and the chance for a problem. Why risk it?

Remeber 35mhz trannys range is about 1.5 miles accross flat ground off a hill a bit more which is why Club's tend to be 2 1/2miles apart or share channels.

I have been bitten by electrics and again if they hit anyone wouldn't want to be the pilot by a long shot.

[rambo]

yes definitely, an IC is really a no no in a busy area......but an electric in a park would be much safer (as long as it isn't really crowded)

however, there is the problem of nearby clubs. if there is a club nearby, you could end up flying on someones frequency which would cause you both to crash, and if you are flying in a busy public area then.....well.......I think you know what could happen

[ChrisB]

I started flying my 600 in a park,although it was quiet there when i flew i felt uneasy with it being a 50 size bird

I went for a 450 because i am happier to fly this pretty much anywhere

[rambo]

yeh...size is also an issue....like you say, flying a trex 600 is more or less the same as a 50 sized IC.