RC planes, where the hell do you fly them?!

[-Z-]

Having been bought a nice 2 channel foam rc plane by my wonderful wife and found it quite fun and easy so I ordered a 3 channel one that can do loops and stuff.

I have a problem in deciding where to fly the things! I've been going to Hainault forest but politely got told that remote control anythings are not allowed (no signs, but fair enough).

Found another large flat open area 5 mins away in Epping Forest with a sign from the corporation of london saying 'Beware model planes being flown' so a good start, but there was another sign saying you must have a permit or risk a £200 fine!

To sum up, does anyone know how to get a permit? Searched google but nothing concrete, seems that you might have to join a flying club and pass tests etc, which:

a) seems a lot of hassle just to mess about with a £100 electric foam plane

b) I simply dont have time for, its just something to mess about with!

Any advice?

[SlipStream77]

Your nearest model shop will put you in touch with your local flying club(s). They will provide you with some training and probably the required permit as well. Crucially however, becoming a member IIRC will usually also provide you with the necessary insurance to fly model aircraft.

It might sound odd, but you must have insurance to fly model aircraft.

HTH

[M-J-B]

SlipStream77 said:

It might sound odd, but you must have insurance to fly model aircraft.HTH

People have been killed by model aircraft.

Go to www.bmfa.org and search your local club.

They'll be able to help you learn to fly your new model with most of it remaining in one piece and if you join the BMFA you'll have the necessary insurance to cover you whilst flying should you decapitate someone by accident!

Also depending on the transmitter used, if there's anyone flying locally on the same channel and you fly, both models could well end up in kit form once the signals mix and if he finds you, you may also end up as a kit!

It's an interesting hobby and many years ago I took it very seriously, to include flying for manufacturers at shows and the like. Now I have a big enough garden to fly a model I just can't be arsed!

That said, an electric helicopter with current technology sounds quite interesting and might be purchased shortly

[pokethepope]

I fly mine (cheapy electric like yours) on a school playing field that my mates house backs onto (ie. thats my access, not open to public). Do you have a large village green, common or public playing field near you? I know serious flyers will get on your back about not having proper insurance, but a 1kg foam electric flown every once in a while is not worth having it.

[Viper_Larry]

I either fly mine over the field next to the house, from the front garden, over at the local Rugby Club traing pitches (one day the Press Secretary wondered over and siad he was happy for me to fly there) or a school field in the nearest town which has the best landing and the caretaker was happy for us to fly there.

Many open spaces should be sufficient, it's just getting one where you can land properly!

[Emsman]

On the village green opposite the pub.

My Mate flew his new one yesterday- ninja from flying wings due for release shortly.
Jesus it moves- vertical for about 300 feet until you virtually loose sight of it.

I only fly small(ish) leccy models there- miniums, parkzone sukhoi, couple of scratch builts.

Big nitro engines jobs only in a friendly farmers field.

[Quick silver]

Re; Where to fly & Insurance:

Firstly, you have the right to fly your model on common ground & park area's, providing that they are not privately owned, anywhere else & you will need the landowners permission.....don't let anyone tell you any different.

I'm lucky enough to have a farmer friend that has given permission to fly & shoot on his land.....but failing that I never have problems at weekends on Industrial Estates or from public footpaths over hills & mountains near to where I live in North Wales.

Insurance, you do not legally have to have insurance, however, if you join a club, the rules there will almost certainly include insurance & usually a test to confirm your flying competance as there are strict national club rules for this too.

Insurance is something that you should seriously consider & by joining the BMFA for a mere £22 you will automatically be covered 3rd party up to £5 million for a 12 month period........hardly worth squabbling over is it!

BMFA: http://www.bmfa.org/about/join.html

[-Z-]

Thanks for all the good advice chaps, Hobbyzone Super Cub LP has been delivered and looking forward to flying it!

Quick silver said:

===Re; Where to fly & Insurance:===

Firstly, you have the right to fly your model on common ground & park area's, providing that they are not privately owned, anywhere else & you will need the landowners permission.....don't let anyone tell you any different.

I'm lucky enough to have a farmer friend that has given permission to fly & shoot on his land.....but failing that I never have problems at weekends on Industrial Estates or from public footpaths over hills & mountains near to where I live in North Wales.

Insurance, you do not legally have to have insurance, however, if you join a club, the rules there will almost certainly include insurance & usually a test to confirm your flying competance as there are strict national club rules for this too.

Insurance is something that you should seriously consider & by joining the BMFA for a mere £22 you will automatically be covered 3rd party up to £5 million for a 12 month period........hardly worth squabbling over is it!

BMFA: http://www.bmfa.org/about/join.html

Good advice there, definitely makes sense when its that cheap. Can you point me to any further info on what your saying about a right to fly on common or park land? Just because I got kicked off at hainault forest when I was flying only in the furthest corner of an absolutely massive wide open space!

Edited by -Z- on Monday 10th August 22:59

[B16JUS]

there is a place in tilbury just by the go kart track that fly them and also in leigh on sea the road by the station that leads to two tree island they fly them there too.

J

[DIW35]

-Z- said:

Can you point me to any further info on what your saying about a right to fly on common or park land? Just because I got kicked off at hainault forest when I was flying only in the furthest corner of an absolutely massive wide open space!

I think you may find that the ability to fly on common or park land is just a generalisation, as many local councils will have bye-laws in place prohibiting such activities. Also, Hainault forest possibly doesn't come under either category if it is owned by the forestry commission.