Park Flying is dangerous - discuss

[Nige321]

I have been flying my T-rex 450 at local "common land".

Sieze

I work on Pensnett Est... WHich park are you on about, PM if you like...

Regards

Nige

[pxr5]

I don't often stick up for dog owners but.......

As the owner of a border collie who is extremely obedient and well trained I have two problems with her. One is the sea, she'll chase waves until she can hardly walk, the other is models, although I have trained her to avoid helis she will chase gliders and planks and no amount of calling will bring her back, she just goes deaf. Dogs have an instinct to chase things and unless they are trained otherwise they can't help it, how is the public going to know how dangerous models can be?

seriously i was thinking about this today and i reckon its only a matter of time before electric heli's are banned from public parks, just as im getting into the hobby too, typical. those head speeds are getting seriously fast now and with them so popular your gonna get some killjoy, this is the UK the land of killjoys.

[Sieze2]

Sieze

I work on Pensnett Est... WHich park are you on about, PM if you like...

Regards

Nige

From the pensnett Ind Est. you drive to the main traffic lights at Kingswinford its on the left before the lights, behind a community center building. You can't really see it from the road though. (there was a fire-work shop opposite)

[richieclarkie]

I fly my TREX 450 at a local park. My opinion is although people and dogs who walk past me can occasionally be a nuisance I would rather not upset them and risk losing my 450 flying site.

I did have an incident recently when a Woman was calling to me "excuse me, excuse me!" I was aware she was close so I moved the heli away to the other side and landed it. Next thing I know, instead of walking 10 meters round the back of me, she walked staight in front of me. I asked her if that was really necessary and couldn't she have walked behind me, but I don't think she possessed the necessary brain cells to comprehend my request. WTF!!!!!!!

Yes we are all bound to get silly situations with people, dogs, children, however it is possible to minimise risks and although I am the first to confont anyone I don't agree with in this case it's best left alone as heli flyers can collectively shoots ourselves in the foot by acting "well 'ard!" and disregarding other park users.

[antsis]

One of my clubs rents a field from the council. However as this is public land we cannot stop people walking across it.

I agree that the general public are either really ignorant of the dangers or just don't care. We have dirty great big signs warning them of the dangers, but they still persist in walking across when we're flying. In most cases, they apologise and walk around the edge of the field. But we have had instances where people have just waltzed onto the field and then given us serious verbal abuse when we've approached them. Our agreement with the council is tenuous as it is, so we strive to be polite all the time. Unfortunately any altercations with the public always seem to be bad for modelers.

As for flying in the local park. I wouldn't dream of it. Aside from the ignorant public, if you had an accident, I suspect you may not get the support from the BMFA you might expect.

[Sesame]

Park flying itself is obviously as dangerous as the pilot lets it get.

Personally I wouldnt fly unless the place was deserted. but then that probably down to my abilities rather than anything else. what the real problem is, is the general publics lack of understanding of how dangerous these models can be.

Our flight has a council installed dog walking path right along one side of the field, we have signs up telling people what is going on. and there is plenty of land the other side of the path, there is one lady I am thinking of that regularly on a sunday morning walks her dog and comes onto our field to throw a ball for her dog, every fliping sunday, even though she can see us even though I would imagine she can read(can't 100% sure on this one) but she refuses to stay off.

this is a field thats been used for years the path is a new addition, clever council.

[edarter]

flying on public ground is dangerous, no two ways about it. even if you have a spotter - what are they going to do ? unfortunately idiots don't walk round with plackards advertising the fact that they are, and an out of control animal will not heed your spotter any more than they will you or the owner.
I'm not sure your insurance covers you either, unless you specifically have permission to fly (as opposed to assuming you have permission), but I could be wrong on that one.
It's unfortunate because it wuld be a damn site more convenient, but a puplic place is just that - public, so you are goign to be dealing with people and animals that don't understand, or care about the dangers....until its too late.

Ed

[Steve]

Our flying site is pretty much completely exclusive to us with no access for the general public. It's also very open with loads of available sky to fly in. Our flying times are very restricted - only from 2pm on Sat and Sunday afternoons, till it gets dark.

The lack of Joe Bloggs is great, but also the restricted flying times means that everyone goes there at the same time (only about 12 people in the club), which means that you are never there alone - now that's good from a safety point of view in my opinion, but the lack of flying flexibility doesn't suit everybody.

We had an incident a few years ago, where a bloke started his plane, while kneeling in front of it in the usual way. The plane had a 90 2 stroke with a tuned pipe on it. The silly berk had forgotten to safely teather the model down, let go of it and it shot forward straight into his thighs. Made a bit of a bloody mess. What was good for him was that other people were there to (a) administer simple first aid, and (b) talk the ambulance into what would be a very difficult place to find if you didn't know where it was.

I know of people who live locally and fly RC models, but they go to any number of clubs that are much further away, simply so that they can fly on any day of the week because it suits their shift pattern or whatever. That's their choice.

I like our flying field.

Slightly off topic, but it's the other side of the coin.

[p4ddy]

[quote=richieclarkie;90424]I fly my TREX 450 at a local park.
quote]



Where's that then?
I take my trex 450S to work with me & i'm in christchurch every thursday morning but i've not seen anywhere i could possibly make a stop & have a quick fly. I'm a driver & so i'm allways looking out for good fields or parks.

[pchristy]

Thirty-odd years ago, when I'd just started flying helis, I was practising on some local playing fields. Acres and acres of short mown grass, and not another person in sight!

I was flying an early Morley - built from plans, before he started doing kits - fixed pitch, no gyro, aero engine and 4 channel radio! I'd just about got to the stage where I could fly circuits, and was practising "circuits and bumps".

Suddenly, out of nowhere, this small but ferocious dog appears, and starts leaping up trying to grab the heli as I came in to land!

I opened up, and went round, but when I returned the d**n dog was still there!

Another circuit, and yes, it was STILL there!

By this time fuel was getting low, as was my nervous energy level! As I launched into yet another circuit, a little old lady appeared behind me, and started prodding me with ner umbrella, telling me to get my infernal machine away from her dog! (At least, I think that's what she said!)

By this time, the fuel situation was getting desperate! (Fixed pitch, no chance to auto!) so I flew away slowly, luring the dog up the field. When I'd gone a suitable distance, I turned the heli around, and did the fastest circuit and approach I'd ever done, and slammed the thing down seconds before the engine quit! As I ran over to the machine to stop the blades before the dog came back, the little old lady continued to prod me with her umbrella, and give me an ear-bashing for "attacking her dog"!

When I'd made the model safe, I pointed out to her the park rules at the entrance, which made no mention of model flying, but DID say that "Dogs must be kept on leads at all times!", and that if she didn't remove herself and her infernal hound pronto, I would report her to the police and park authorities!

She wasn't impressed, but scarpered pdq, and I never saw her again!

But I no longer ic powered models in public places. This island is just TOO overcrowded!!!

--
Pete

[Ashley Davis]

ALL my flying is done on public ground......the club I run operates on a public recreation ground, yes we have dogs, yes we have members of the public.

However, safety can be implemented on any site, public or not. We occasionally get a dog run after a plane / heli. Usually some low runs up and down the field (with dog in hot pursuit) will wear it out.....or a safety marshal will retrieve said hound and return to it's owner (plus short education session on safety of their pet). Mostly owners are apologetic for losing control of the dog and glad of it's safe return once we have explained a few safety aspects. We have signage about model flying at the field and are there with council permission and BMFA approval. It just needs sensible fliers.

Having said that we very occasionally get these total wallies who think it's really smart to wander straight through the pits / landing strip and under flying models because "they have a right to do so"........some people are just plain stupid and too pig ignorant to be taught anything. Our field is all electric models.....not that that makes much difference from a safety perspective.

[p4ddy]

Hi Ash, i managed to join heliaddict at last How would i become a member of your club? i assume i'll need BMFA insurance. I like the thought of nitro (flight times) but electric will allow flying more often.

[Sieze2]

I didn't realise there were clubs that run in public areas ! I just assumed all clubs were on farmland for example.

There is a flying club nearby. They are about a 2 minute drive from my house. However they do not allow helicopters only planes. Apparently the two do not mix well...or something ?! Its a real shame, as there is about 5 rugby pitches. I was surprised, and pointed out that a heli needs alot less sky than a plane, but they just said "no one like heli's". I guess it because heli's are more manoverable, and more skillfull to fly

I flew my heli on some farmland today....loved every second. It was nice to know dogs are not a problem. Having all the space I could want is a real bonus too.

The BMFA site is rubbish. When you select a county it gives you a list of clubs, but I have no idea where they are in relation to my home. In addition most don't have web sites or phone numbers. I don't know why they even bother . I know they suggest ringing, so i'll give them a bell.

[Ashley Davis]

How would i become a member of your club?

Drop me an email via the club website: www.silentfliers.co.uk

[mattydred]

i have permision to fly at a football training ground. if the footballers arnt using it then i can. no dogs allowed on the field cuz owners were letting them shi te all over the field and they dont clean it up, kids are supposed to play on there for fuks sake.
i can honestly say i clean up every time after my german sheppard.

i tell any1 straight if they come onto my local flying field with a dog - fek off