Local Farm Flying

[rcbobp]

I live near farm, privately owned, that is flat and has an area that is kept as short grass. In fact, on rare occassions, it is used as a strip for full scale/single engine planes. (There's a clipped wing Cub parked at one end for the last two weeks, now.) I'd like to approach the owner about the possibility of using it for my RC purposes. It's away from people/traffic and away from his horse fields. Are there any other things I should consider before approaching the owner? I fly on 2.4, so I don't think frequency interference should be an issue. In fact, the closest RC field is more than 10 miles from this spot. Thanks for your thoughts.

[SmoothFlying]

The only thing to probably do is be nice and humble. Not saying that you wont but being nice and friendly goes a million miles. The worst he could say is no. He could tell you no and ask if you wanted a ride in the cub.

[rcbobp]

Yes, being nice and polite was certainly on my agenda. I'm a heckuva nice guy...just ask me. I just was wondering if there were any other issues I should consider before I even think about approaching the owner. I do appreciate the suggestion. And if a ride in the Cub is all I get, I'm ahead of the game!

[3dAndrew]

here's another one. tell him that if he lets you fly there then you will give him free flying lessons.

[exeter_acres]

explain that you are covered with insurance via your AMA membership

[sweetpea]

Don't just tell him all this. Print out documents from the website and come with paperwork the gentleman can file. You could also offer to help out at the farm in someway to compensate for the use of the land.

[extra330ss]

It sounds like a good spot to fly. Just approach the owner, and tell him/her what you intend. I doubt you'll have much trouble flying there if there's fullscale stuff involved. Our club is getting pushed out of our field due to some devopement, but we're lucky enough to have a cool dude who's involved in the leadership of a local airport (I believe he owns it) who is very willing to let us fly there. The only thing about fullscale landing strips is that you will generally have to set up some kind of radio contact with the fullscale aircraft, or have a spotter in order to fly there. Exeter, good point on the ama thing. That can often be the deciding factor on "selling the pitch" to the field owners. anyway, kudos and good luck

-Extra

[rcbobp]

You raise a point that I hear conflicting answers on. Does AMA coverage extend to flying at a location that doesn't have some kind of AMA sanction, i.e. approved club site? As to how to approach the owner, all ideas are valid, and I appreciate them.

[exeter_acres]

http://www.modelaircraft.org/files/500-a.pdf


to my knowledge it extends to any time you are flying and following the safety code....
a quick call to Muncie will answer it though.

[phippsj]

	Quote: Originally Posted by rcbobp
	You raise a point that I hear conflicting answers on. Does AMA coverage extend to flying at a location that doesn't have some kind of AMA sanction, i.e. approved club site? As to how to approach the owner, all ideas are valid, and I appreciate them.

Yes, it does.

You might even think up an improvement project to offer him in exchange, rather than paying him anything. Try the flight lessons first before shoveling any manure out of his barn.

Good luck.

[extra330ss]

	Quote: Originally Posted by rcbobp
	You raise a point that I hear conflicting answers on. Does AMA coverage extend to flying at a location that doesn't have some kind of AMA sanction, i.e. approved club site? As to how to approach the owner, all ideas are valid, and I appreciate them.

they sure do, a guy at our club was flying at an industrial park, he crashed into a car (it just so happened to be the owner of the industrial park's wife) and the next day, she had the money to fix her car in hand, express from the ama.

[extra330ss]

	Quote: Originally Posted by phippsj
	Yes, it does. You might even think up an improvement project to offer him in exchange, rather than paying him anything. Try the flight lessons first before shoveling any manure out of his barn. Good luck.

hahahah, yea, never offer to help a farmer.... they put you to work

[BOSSIER_ROB]

Sam (sweatpea) has good advice. Bring documentation proving AMA coverage, briefly exlain to him what it is and let him kick the idea around and read up if he doesn't say yes right away. If he has a "what's in it for me" attitude, like mentioned, offer to teach him and maybe keep his grass strip mowed for him. If he's really open, maybe later on you could suggest getting the property sanctioned by AMA and start a club that'll bring him a little extra cash from membership dues. You never know. He might find a new hobby he enjoys out of this, if he doesn't already fly r/c. There is a chance that he might already fly r/c if he's the owner of the cub. You have nothing to lose by talking to him and asking.