Flying field size vs Plane vs Pilot, maybe funds?

[hghost]

My issue was back many years ago and still today
is a place to fly . There are schools and some small parks
in my area .

I found an out of the way field that is grown up and muddy. I have
searched for the owner ( which is a land company ) that seemingly
changes places every time I try and locate anyone who can direct me
to them. In our area allot of land is owned by land companies that no one
seems to know who they are. This location has been there all my life, the area
as grown up and some housing development near by, but still an empty lot.

Seems people on 4 wheeler's have been using it as they have created
paths around it and then down through the wooded area that surrounds the field.
So after many calls and searching business after business to get someone who
will not act like it is a National secret, I have given up trying to locate them and since
the area is basically hid from view, I will ( when it drys up ) give the place
a go. I have lived right down the road from it all my life . So unless someone
invites me off the land ( it is not posted and no signs etc etc) I will use it
to fly my Cub and other planes if I purchase them.

Right up the road is a small Park used for family gatherings and some community
events. It use to be years ago a place they showed horses and had horse related events
an outdoor arena as it were. Now it is a place people walk, it has a small area with
children's swings and slides and very large basketball courts and a paved
walking path around the Park . It has some large tree's here and there but it seems to
have enough open space to fly the Cub, about the size of a baseball field perhaps in size.

The reason I make this post is just how large a field should one fly in ? I know depending
on the pilot and the winds and the plane of course that would play the greatest factor. However
as the Cub in it's size seems to be very controllable even in a smaller area ( I would think?)
But should the field be based on the planes wing size,the planes power plant, or the Pilots
abilities etc etc ?

Reason I ask is with the wind issue in my area, I am looking for a place to fly ( not an experienced
pilot at all )that would allow me a little piece of mind and less frustration. The large muddy and
over grown field I mentioned is very large area but tall grass, some small brush and surrounded
by trees on all sides and a large hillside also one one side that seems to block
allot of wind, but only worn down paths created by 4 wheeler's some would be smooth but right now
very muddy.Has a huge mud hole in the center of the places and allot of grass and a trail around the
edge of it all. Take off and landings would be an issue, flying would not , I do not think. And if had
a place to take off from that was not muddy a very large plane would have no issues in the area.Well
as long as you stay away from the trees surrounding the place of course. About a Football field in length
perhaps and on one side it is wide like a football field, but narrower on the other, but still wide enough .

The much smaller Park is not as long and is far narrower than the other. With some buildings on one
side and some much closer tree line.Very, very tall tree's. My guess maybe 3 to 400 feet long open area but
probably only 75 to 100 feet in width and in one place maybe narrower ( because of trees and basketball
courts and a couple light posts and on one side blocked by tree's but is the major interstate)It is sort
of an egg shape.Wider on one end than the other.But well took care of , groomed grassy area that
has like a bowl shape area in the middle ( where the old Horse arena would be ) sets lower than the other
area. Almost like a Nascar banked oval nice place to run RC off road cars like my buggies, and all grass.
Nice place to land and even stand in center to fly the Cub.But a small area perhaps for a novice flyer ?
But flat up on top with that walking path that is asphalt like a runway...going down one whole side.
Beautiful place but smaller.

Now I am looking at a T 28 Trojan , which is or maybe 51" ( 1400 mm) wing span.As I have reviewed the
plane with the ability to fly in some pretty strong winds with some stability . Of course in order for
that to happen the larger model does best. They do have smaller versions in the 30" ( 800 mm ) and
any where in between. I also see where many beginners and novice pilots fly them with little issues
other than pilot error which happens to everyone at some point novice and experienced alike. I have also looked
at an A 1 Skyraider which is a much slower flying plane but again come in multiple sizes . Both the
T 28 and A 1 also come in a 63" ( 1600 mm ) size . Retracts, flaps, ailerons that sort of set up on
both planes .( retract seems to be issue on landings especially on the T 28) but again mostly
pilot error and rough landings.

So is the field making the choice of plane of does the plane choose the field to most Pilots
in the RC world. Many Park fliers and many small planes like the Champ in size, backyard type
planes but weather condition dependent seems to be what most are buying, simply because of the
lack of flying area's and many who do not want to join a local club or do not have a club .
( which btw I have called the local club here also trying to check on their venue and after
3 months still no response from anyone. And it is located in a Landfill with locked gates and
the public can not enter ).

So....weather ?, location ?, funds? , just what is the answer to the field vs plane vs Pilot , thought ?

I want to fly, and I want the best possibility without being disappointed so fast that it drives me
away as it did many years ago. I spent allot of months building planes to see them gone in seconds
and no flight time at all....the new technology and foam design changes the game but with the lighter
design also comes the weather condition issues. In my case it is already the beginning of June and not
one flight .I do not want to see my plane carried into the forest by winds or drove into the mud
faster than it got in the air because of the wind, or get mounted in the tall, tall pines and watch it
be used as a wind sock for future generations . No I simply want to enjoy the dream to reality.

Sorry for the long drawn out post, but had to explain and have to much time on my hands.

Your thoughts ?

[hghost]

Seems no one replied to this thread, guess no one knew what to say.

Most have no issues with a place to fly...in my area I can not get a hold of anyone
from the local flying club. It is gated and every call I make none are returned.

The one field I found has grown up and is a swamp due to all the rain, plus i can not
get anyone to give me permission to use it although it belongs to a land company
no one there has returned calls either.

The small park near my home is nice, but has people in and out and do not wish to harm
anyone with an accident or whatever.

SO like days of old, seems this hobby i have always loved and wanted to get good at
is still that a dream and a want.

I even ordered a Heli just to have something to fly at my home....appears to be the only thing
that will get flown everything else will be a decoration. Seems building planes is all I
will ever get accomplished, which I love to do btw, but still wish a flight would get to take
place while I am able .

Tired of wind, tired of rain and now nice and tired of having no decent place to fly and even far
more disappointed in people who do this stuff, but will not even return calls so others can enjoy
it as well.

Maybe my local shopping malls parking lot at midnight will make a good flying field ? I doubt it
they would whine and complain I am sure. SO.....

Heli world...looks like you are my last hurrah.

[flydiver]

Like flying in wind, flying in a small space is hugely dependent on the pilot and plane combined. If you are going to fly in a very small space you need a very small, light plane to start...and NO WIND AT ALL! This is pretty much the same as the micro helicopter. I could maybe fly a Cub inside of a baseball diamond but it wouldn't be any fun at all.
The 'swamp' may not be too bad if you get something like an Easy Star, hand launch it, and try not to land it in water. It's a belly lander so is fine with that kind of stuff.
Once you get some flying chops you will get a better feel for what you can and can't do, along with plane limitations.

Early on I had a slow stick. It is slow. I got confident about my flying ability and thought I could fly it in the street out front. Why bother to travel to the field? Take off in the street, fly over the houses, land in the street...right?
In 15 seconds I knew it was a very bad decision. I lost the plane in a backyard and it took me over a day to find it. Neighbors look at you funny when you knock on their door and ask to look in their back yard when they don't know you.

FWIW, sometimes it's better to ask for forgiveness....

[hghost]

Like many Noobies ( tho i am old ,a noob child I am )and ranting gets in the blood. The places to fly are still the same issues.However the smaller park has given me many relaxing and enjoyable flights with my Champ and a few attempts with smaller war-birds ( a mistake at this noob time)

Still awaiting the Cub maiden ( rain -rain go away so i can fly her today ) I watch days , i am busy,seem gorgeous but maybe to windy, grass still wet, sun shining BUT ...moments in time...those are my thoughts.

So on occasion even in wet grass and mud , i been flying the Champ more and more..catching it instead of landing it works well. The large field I intended to fly at the start, Chest high grass, mud, mud MUD....water holes...snakes ? perhaps. But no flying.

I have spent allot once again to get everything ( I think i need) to get back into this Hobby and actually fly ( so far the Champ is the Only one i can keep in the air )
But i still love putting them together and setting them up and Dreaming.

In my old age, My intent is to fly, fly and fly some more, everyday the sun is shining and the wind is not howling. But my To-do List has gotten in the way as much as the weather it appears. List almost done, weather not so much.

I put allot of funds into this Hobby, and have been reading and studying and asking and seeking the in's and out's of all the info I can obtain.I want to make those dollars worth every penny and maintain the equipment as it should be. To some this Hobby may be an occasion chance when it's convenient, I want it to become not just a hobby, but part of my daily routine. I am old, am retired, limited, not getting any younger and living this Dream has been a Dream.( bad health may be my end any day, was there once already )
Want to enjoy every second doing what i always wanted to do..why I guess i complain to much to.

Would much rather set and fly for a few hours a day and relax while I am able and hopefully be able to pass it along ( many come and ask and talk while I am so far ) Plus family would be nice to pass it to ( have a daughter - so far she likes watching , not doing -----and did buy her a Champ and named it after her Thanks to that idea from Crazy horse ) maybe she will get interested , maybe not.She loves those Off Road buggies that's for sure.

So after finally getting to fly some...I consider the post on this subject again.

Flying Field size,vs Plane, vs Pilot, or maybe funds ?

Well any place can be flown in with the appropriate Plane and Pilot

The right place and the right plane , can make a good Pilot

The wrong place, the wrong Plane, can cause even a good Pilot a bad one or a bad Pilot worse

research what you want to do...as it was once written long ago..what builder goes to build and does not
consider the cost First ?

In my complaining and ranting and hunger to fly, with this years howling winds and rain, i was allowing myself to
get frustrated and inpatient . I spent a few dollars on larger planes , thinking "larger Plane fly through high winds "

larger plane can have larger crash and even in Larger field when rain come and wind blow , plane still not fly !!

So after a few dollars spent ( way to much ) I enjoy the builds and the set ups, but now gathering Dust on my ceiling
Beautiful to look at...but again looks are not what i Dreamed of ( enough of those years already).

I decided to try this smaller Park, My thought again, smaller park, smaller planes ? Yay....Not so much, a few more
dollars a few smaller planes, harder to fly, still rain, still wind blow, still no fly.

I bought the Champ and the Cub ( the actual first planes I bought at the beginning of the year )

My yard tho not large I had to send the Champ up and up and away...into a tree..a ladder and long pole later, got it
down and No damage runs great excited, amazed.

Now small Park, many flights later, having real Fun and patiently waiting to fly Cub when dries up eventually.

Plans made, Sun shine, to busy, late evening, rain falls, next day grass wet. wind blows.........Still SMILING
and waiting.

summer almost gone, still occasional Champ flights, amazingly some 3 hours long...making plans, Cub is set and ready
just need to charge batteries night before, watch weather forecast ( always wrong)...Cub still waiting.

Not frustrated, no ranting, just simple Life of a simple man still Dreaming and still waiting...but this I know....

This year or next year whatever..I will Fly them all at some point...crash, destruction, funds ? No matter, I will have
fun and enjoy it....and do it all over again, cause now i know I can

Whatever Field small or large , I have a plane for that...and a pilot who will....right or wrong...and still enjoy it.

So Field, Pilot,Plane, and less funds...having a Great time.

Even these days , a few flights , but even if all i am doing is reading articles and watching video's
just trying to be a sponge and soak it all in, I still am enjoying it , just the same.

My Thanks to all on this forum....your articles and posts are a joy to read.

[Crazy Horse]

Hi hghost!

Good to see you having a rant again. Now, let me lift your spirits for you. I have not flown my beloved aircraft for well over a year due to ongoing problems with a broken bone in my hand and a knee op. The hand will have rather limited movement if it recovers and I may have to have the screw that was put in to hold the bone together removed again! Despondent? Me? Crazy Horse? Never! Like your good self, I am reading stuff on the forum, removing the dust from the wings sitting on my wall rack, mending bits and pieces, sorting and cutting decals. We more mature chaps have patience and know that certain days are absolute diamonds whilst others are not so good. I too am a simple man of simple tastes and dreams. Enjoy every day with your lovely daughter, when she sees the joy that flying gives to her Dad she will get hooked. Meanwhile she can spend time with you racing the buggies.

As for gaining knowledge, be a sponge old chap. I learn something new every day, especially from those younger than myself who see the world in a different way. Every day is a school day my friend!

You mention your age a few times. I am well into my sixties but in my head I am about thirty and usually act about eight. Age means nothing, state of mind means everything. Remember, if you think you can or think you can't, then you are probably right. Like Picasso, as soon a someone tells me I can't do something, I immediately attempt it.

Happy flying.

[renard80]

Yep, patience is essential, although an occasional explosion of expletives can help enormously.

Take these past few days. The Fates have tested my patience to the limit. Boss Lady Wife took herself away for a four-day jolly, leaving me free. Weather forecast: "gentle" winds. That was the word, gentle. But each day, I looked out in frustration as the treetops swished furiously!

Decided to risk it one day and had a buttock-clenching five minutes, struggling to get her back from a very high flyaway. So much for gentle winds . . .

At least there was the evening calm, that magical time when the wind eases for about an hour. But each evening I went to the field I found football matches in progress, so too dangerous to fly.

Finally, the ideal opportunity! Driving past the field last evening, I saw that for once it was not being used! Raced home, grabbed the plane (this is why I keep my batteries fully charged), went to put it into the car - and my niece, her husband and son arrived. "Surprise, surprise, we happened to be down this way and decided to call in."

You try making polite small-talk for two hours as, through the window, you can see all is dead calm as dusk draws steadily closer.

Ah well, hg and CH, at least we oldies have more opportunities than the poor souls who are still wage slaves.

[hghost]

CH- Renard....Thanks again for your words of wisdom . I am learning patience if nothing else is accomplished, that alone is worth it's weight in gold.

CH I pray all is healing up well and you will soon be out and about soon flying your Cub,

Renard, that is how it's been here, Sun shine winds blow, wind stops , it rains...making plans is useless
but it has allowed me to get the needful things done here I am able to do.

I just been learning to be content....why I came back to this post, maybe other reading it who get frustrated see they are
not alone and other FEEL their pain and their joy.

Good to know we have friends all over the place, that can relate.

Thank You , Your friend across the Big Blue.

[toff]

"In my head I am about thirty and usually act about eight..." LOL, my Lord CH! Guilty as charged as well M'lud! ( Although the missus says age 4 in my case... )
Renard, yep, wholeheartedly agree with you regarding the UK's silly weather. The sun is shining, the sky is clear, and the tops of the trees are touching the ground...

HG..."In my complaining and ranting and hunger to fly, with this years howling winds and rain, i was allowing myself to
get frustrated and inpatient . I spent a few dollars on larger planes , thinking "larger Plane fly through high winds "

larger plane can have larger crash and even in Larger field when rain come and wind blow , plane still not fly !!"

I can totally empathise with this, having done this route myself - Bigger? Better!!....erm, nope. d**n you, Mother nature! You win again...

"This year or next year whatever..I will Fly them all at some point...crash, destruction, funds ? No matter, I will have
fun and enjoy it....and do it all over again, cause now i know I can" ........... And that is the breakthrough! Now you know you can! Took me 22 years, but got here in the end!


Not sure if you would be interested, but what about building your own out of depron, blucor foam, or dollar tree foam? You can make them to your own size, and some are very easy to fly ( Blackrats EF2000 on RCGROUPS is really easy to build and fly....cheap too!). Cheap to repair as well. And, it can fly in windy conditions as well. Not TOO windy, obviously, but more than a standard SC would cope with.

Regarding places to fly...could you give us a location (zip code/ town) and we'll do a google earth search for flying sites. Then you can say yea or nay! Baseball, football and sports fields in general are good, Farming land ( with permission, naturally..), Moor/ scrubland, also, the outer edges of industrial areas are quite good on an evening. These tend to be next to wasteland, waiting to be developed.

Oh, and as a post scriptum...rant away! I do it all the time ( usually at beer 'o clock , and not always on here.. ) I admit I'm not proud of it , but, hey ho, It keeps me entertained, and hopefully you lot as well......

Oh, and as a PPS, something Yorkshire has that no-one else in the world has....The Idle working mens club! www.idleworkingmensclub.co.uk/ Based in Idle, Bradford ( one of the better areas.. ) I have nothing to do with it, just thought it was a great name.

[hghost]

Toff I live in the beautiful Mountains of Almost Heaven WV in the states . There are many places to fly, just getting that permission and not having crowds are the issues. In fact there is a flying club in our local Land-Fill, Gated and Locked. Many calls to them, No responses from them. So I have two places I try and fly the one Small Park is a Community place for people who live right in this neighborhood, it is like 2 minutes up the road.....the other place is an empty lot that is owned by a Land Company, No Response from them either on permission, but it is like a swamp and all grown up. Many school yards and things most are fenced in and gated and the ones that are not are usually being used by sports teams things like that, Plus now school is back in session here.

So the Small Park has been my flying field and it's very nice .

The weather is the issue here, even when it does not rain, the winds howl the grass is wet and , trying to land in wet grass ...Not so good. Why I been flying the little Champ so much. But I am learning with it and doing great ( I think )

I was Looking into buying foam and building my own ( cheap ) My idea was to get good enough at what I have with these foamies I bought and then moving up to all these Balsa Planes I still have in boxes from years past ( love the build ).And to my Very Old and beautiful J 3 Cub I built long ago, ( the one I crashed and the only one still together enough to repair ) bad experiences years ago , why I stopped trying and am now many years later trying to get back at it.

I have an arsenal of planes, just not an arsenal of ability to fly them all...Yet. Lol

But Thanks for the input....always in need of great ideas .