New Place to Fly

[Gabe]

Well, it seems like the neighbors around the park I fly at are a little cranky about me flying there. I think someone actually called the cops because last time I flew there was a sheriff sitting in the parking lot with his door open scoping out the action.

I did my research and its a $500 fine for landing a "model aircraft" in a public park, according to the municipal code. Aside from the fact that I believe that to be a complete infringement on my right to have fun, I did some more research and found out that the park I fly at was actually deeded to the surrounding private community in the mid 80's. Ergo, the municipal code section regarding public parks does not apply.

Needless to say, I don't want to be "that guy" that's pissing off the surrounding neighbors (even though the hundreds of people that use the park daily enjoy the air show), so I scoped out my complex this week.

I've decided to fly over an open lake/pond with a nice little fountain in the middle that shoots up about 25-30' in the air. There's a long strip of road that goes between some apartment buildings that I'm using for a runway. The pond is probably an acre or an acre and a half in size, plus I have all the surrounding open area above the apartments. I'll post some pics later today. The only downfall is if a lipo puffs or something malfunctions.

Long story short, check your muni code!

[BTCat]

Yep, the code here prohibits RC models, land, water or air, from operating in parks. However we have HUGE open areas in some of the parks that no one cares about. When I get to fly, I go to one of these or to one of the other open fields near here. The police are always at one of them, but only because it is a great hiding spot to catch speeders ;D. No one has ever said anything to me. I do shut down any time someone comes into the area. I won't fly if there is anyone using the field. I'm not sure what the fine is or even if they would fine for the field, but I don't want to find out ;D

BTW, Watch out for the water landings

[akent]

Kersploosh!
My backyard is Lake Travis!
My land part used to be 100%, in other words, there was no lake, so I had infinite land!

Now, the lake is there! No land even on the shore, enough to fly with.

So, if anyone wants to fly over water, come on down here! We can fly in my back yard! But my boats aren't running yet, so you might have to swim after the thing for a while...

[akent]

May 13, 2010 20:54:36 GMT -6 BTCat said:

Yep, the code here prohibites RC models, land, water or air, from operating in parks. However we have HUGE open areas in some of the parks that no one cares about. When I get to fly, I go to one of these or to one of the other open fields near here. The police are always at one of them, but only because it is a great hiding spot to catch speeders ;D. No one has ever said anything to me. I do shut down any time someone comes into the area. I won't fly if there is anyone using the field. I'm not sure what the fine is or even if they would fine for the field, but I don't want to find out ;D

BTW, Watch out for the water landings

Me thinks that Nitro is one of the main problems with old rules. They are nasty, loud and annoying.

[19000rpm]

Good points guys. Cities normally have CYA rules and it pays to know what they are.

I try to avoid water hazards. If the plane is going to quit it WILL do it over water. A few years ago I was flying a plane over the edge of a pond and it quit. I mean the very edge of the pond. It ended up drowning in a few inches of water not a foot from shore.

[Gabe]

Hmmm...never thought of the nitro aspect. I would guess that combined with the hazard of nailing someone with your plank or bird would be cause for the law.

I'm a pond flyer now- plain and simple. Still won't fly the heli's there though. I'll take my chances at the park, they're quiet enough.