OMG I’m so DONE with flying in Parks!

[3dx]

Not sure what the regs are in other counties,but where we fly,,park flying is positively encouraged, the only concessions being that you must have either bmfa or some form of recognised model flying insurance and that LONE flying is not recommended.. We tend to fly 3 models maximum regardless whether it is a heli or aircraft and that everyone else acts as spotters- being a public park- Field end Road,, we've got dog walkers, cyclists, kids off the leash, etc to contend with,,,

Might not work for everyone but does work for us,

[PeteStewardson]

and thats the issue (bold) - in public places there is nothing like a mutual agreement for certain activities, either they are allowed or you would need to query the council for permission, same for every field you may find - get the owner to permit you accessing his land and to fly your heli ... so actually you could cut the story short ...

Actually in this country if it is public land you are allowed to fly off it unless there is a specific bylaw which forbids it on that land.

[Rich_H]

Hi,
I think the OP did absolutely everything within his power to ensure the safety of the children in question whilts aptly maintaining a controlled and therefore safe descent of his model. With respect I didn't alledge otherwise and it was clear from his post that this was the situation and I applaud him for that. please lets not think otherwise.

The obligation of safety is not sllit 50/50, neither the lady in question (labotamised at birth or not) or the children had complete knowledge of the potential danger, I know it is fairly obvious that this thing with fast turning blades is going to have a degree of danger but not to the same extent to the public as to you or I.

I'm not sure how talking responsibility for their actions or sheer stupidity is a factor here, surely this was just a case of naivety?

Once again, this is only MY opinion.

Rich

[Stuart]

Personally I think its horses for courses there are times when we get caught up in the "what if's" as apposed to having real data to make informed decisions. I can't judge people for flying in public parks provided they have permission + insurance be it the RCHA or BMFA and take good precautions to ensure the safety of them and others around them. Ideally fly in pairs at all times so one can be a lookout for any additional dangers.

I fly with permission on national trust land with our club and forever have dog's / kids and alike come by but I reckon I've got more danger walking back to the cars from kites and golf balls, dogs or the odd horse... There has been plenty of times we've landed to let dog's past or go high and away to reduce the risks but regardless we have to work with the environment we have around us and make sure that 'We' the flyers are doing everything possible to be safe.

There are simply in my view dangers in everything we do - granted the ideal position is be in a nice farmers field out of the way in the middle of no where but not everyone has that luxury. But again I've watched newbie's loose control and nearly plant there heli in a country lane (imagine if he hit a car - eeek!!) so to me no matter where you are in the local park with permission or out in the sticks it can just as easily go wrong.

'Fly Safe and Be Safe' is my motto.....

[LipolyGone]

Well come over to us for a free weekend fly mate were in the outskirts of Bath about 20 miles ish from bedminster. Come as my guest & see how you feel for it, no pressure. We have 3 or 4 who travel out from Bristol.

[Rich_H]

'Fly Safe and Be Safe' is my motto.....

I absolutely couldn't agree more, thanks for putting it so succinctly

Rich

[r4nd0m]

Actually in this country if it is public land you are allowed to fly off it unless there is a specific bylaw which forbids it on that land.

hm, interesting so a missing preventing bylaw automatically permits in public places in this country - thats news to me - good to know, thanks

[Sharpedge]

Well come over to us for a free weekend fly mate were in the outskirts of Bath about 20 miles ish from bedminster. Come as my guest & see how you feel for it, no pressure. We have 3 or 4 who travel out from Bristol.

Now that's more like it. Thanks rcslopesurfer I'm going to take you up on that offer, can you point me to a club website for directions? With a forum name like that I bet you are just the right person to teach me how to use my Radian Pro without that noisy thing on the front

[spudly]

I must admit I only fly a MCPX and my trex 250's at the moment and have avoided the bigger birds due to flying site issues. The only thing I will fly in the park (when it is its quiet) is my 120SR and MCPX and even then I'm very careful and uncomfortable with it. Not happy taking the trex250 there and have found some unused land for flying that (although I think I got some fields sorted from a local farmer which mean bigger birds here we come....(hmm that does not sound good does it ).

I personally think it is irresponsible to fly 450 helicopters and the like in parks. Kids are kids and are inquisitive. I'm a parent and I would be very unhappy to find someone flying a big heli in my park with my kids about (although my kids know the dangers). I'm also a dog owner and a dog does not understand the dangers. My dog needs space and has a right to enjoy the outdoors (its cat owners that let there cats roam anywhere and poop in my garden!).

What has concerned me is the amount of time I see forums advising newbies to buy big helis because they are stable and easier to learn on (yep I agree with this) but the problem is a percentage of these people buy them and take them to the park to 'learn to fly'. Incredibly dangerous. I really do sympathize with Sharpedge as I understand the problem and we all should have the right and space to fly safely.

We do need somewhere to fly and I agree its not easy for all of us to travel to clubs and spend large chunks of our weekend there when we have kids and wives to keep happy as well. I personally get very frustrated with this country and the lack of the ability to do any recreational activities and the lack of space the councils provide for activities. I like quadbikes, enduro, shooting. All these things are very difficult to do in this country because the do good brigade have ruined it for the masses. Its no wonder there's so much crime about when some of us struggle to fly our RC models and enjoy our hobbies.

[Rich_H]

Let’s get some facts straight here, I have BMFA membership and I do fly responsibly. You make it out that I actively seek out people in the park to fly into with my heli. I take every precaution and immediately stop flying if anyone comes too close or looks like they are going to cause trouble

Hi,

I apologise that you read the above into my post, It was not my intention to make it appear that you flew irresponsibly in any way and didn't doubt that you were a BMFA member with insurance for a second. As I said in another follow up post you acted sensibly and responsibly by bringing the model down in a safe manner whilst avoiding incident. this was to be applauded, it could have so easily ended up differently without any fault of yours.

I think it fair to say that you had already drawn your own conclusion with regard to the aspect of whether it's really sensible to fly in a public place, so in sense I was agreeing with you, however for slightly different reasons.

Out of it came the offer of a club - obviously I have no idea how local to you, but really a positive conclusion to the post.

Best,
Rich

[Zeeflyboy]

These topics are always very polarized....

I fall somewhere in the middle though. Flying a foam plane, even quite a large one, is a bit different to flying a heli in a park. Once you've got it on the ground, the danger is gone (no spinning blades etc) and being made of foam, the chances of serious injury should the worst happen are that much lower (though not, I concede, non-existant).... All that remains is for your pride and joy to be ripped apart by the overly enthusiastic dog, or broken by the little brats that were never taught better.

That said, if there are no by laws or restrictions you are perfectly within your rights to use the recreational area for your recreational activities, as long as you are mindfull not to impede others from enjoying the area as well.

You could reasonably expect others to exercise the same mindfulness in not impeding you in your activity, by keeping kids at least slightly under control or dogs from harassing you.

I've used the same example before, but would it be acceptable to allow a dog to run up and interfere with a game of football in the park? Burst the ball perhaps?

Unfortunately we don't live in such a world, so you just have to do your best to stay safe and out of the way.

[jasonf]

Having just very recently (last Wednesday!)joined a bmfa affiliated for the very first time i thought id add my thoughts.

Been looking to join a club for a while now after flying rc helis and planks for about 4 years now,for exactly the reasons listed above.
Was lucky i guess in that i never had a problem with accidents involving members of the public,dog walkers etc etc but felt it was only a matter of time.Used to actively avoid busy parks and fields but despite living in rural Gloucestershire it seemed that no matter where i flew people,walkers,dogs etc would randomly appear!

In the end got sick to death of charging batteries driving around for miles,and climbing fences onto someone else's land in order to get a quick flight in without the risk of hurting someone or getting disturbed and then often coming home with several fully charged packs where i just didn't feel comfortable about staying somewhere to long,or shouldn't have been in.

In my opinion joining my new club was one of the best decisions ive made in this hobby and my only regret is i didn't do it sooner.

The club im in seems very fixed wing orientated so im in the minority being a heli flyer although i do like my planks as well,but i don't mind,none of my friends are into this hobby so i was very much a solitary flyer which made it even more dangerous as i had no one to "keep an eye out" for me while i flew.

Joining this club really was a great for me as i was getting fed up tbh.(being an only flyer with nowhere to fly)

Now i can go fly pretty much when ever i fancy it in a very relaxed atmosphere around like-minded individuals and just get on with enjoying myself rather than worrying about causing damage to property or people etc and also not worry about some thieving git trying to steal my gear while i flew(this almost actually happened to me a couple of years ago).

Good to see that your going to take up rcslope surfers kind offer of checking out his club.

Do it, im almost certain you wont regret it and will enjoy the hobby a lot more.

Cheers
jason.

[Flying_Amp]

Good on Slopesurfer for inviting the OP to their site.. Hopefully a new member for said club. and all ends on a good note!

[LipolyGone]

Now that's more like it. Thanks rcslopesurfer I'm going to take you up on that offer, can you point me to a club website for directions? With a forum name like that I bet you are just the right person to teach me how to use my Radian Pro without that noisy thing on the front

Not done much silent flight for a few years since getting into helicopters.
Here's a link to the shop that fronts our flying site if you phone Pete tell him I've sent you if not pm me when your next available.


Ooops forgot linky Phoenix Model Aviation Ltd

[chazster]

Should be a few clubs in your area.

Which side of Bristol are you? Off the top of my head you have Gloucester Heli, which is less then 20 minutes front from Bradley Stoke, or Bath Heli which is the Brislington side of bristol with a few others scattered around.

Hope that helps.