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Question about interaction with RC fixed wing

Dbez1

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Just out of curiosity, what is the protocol when I take my drone to an RC park? Although I don’t need to go anywhere to fly, it’s a nice change of pace(after the pandemic). I’ve been there twice now but so far, no other people have been there. If others are there flying, do I need to wait until they’re done or do multiple pilots fly simultaneously? Thanks in advance.
 
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Just out of curiosity, what is the protocol when I take my drone to an RC park? Although I don’t need to go anywhere to fly, it’s a nice change of pace(after the pandemic). I’ve been there twice now but so far, no other people have been there. If others are there flying, do I need to wait until they’re done or do multiple pilots fly simultaneously? Thanks in advance.
Good question, I fly fixed wing as well...at my club several planes are flying at any given time and the pilots know to watch for the other aircraft and I would think that as long as you make yourself known to the other pilots and they are aware of you all should be well...great opportunity for some aircraft in flight pics...be smart fly safe...hope this was helpful
 
Good question, I fly fixed wing as well...at my club several planes are flying at any given time and the pilots know to watch for the other aircraft and I would think that as long as you make yourself known to the other pilots and they are aware of you all should be well...great opportunity for some aircraft in flight pics...be smart fly safe...hope this was helpful
Definitely helpful! Many thanks. I’m wondering if that’s a pretty standard thing.
 
I try not to invade the area they are flying in and hope they will do the same with me. One of my fixed wing flying clubs actually started in a city park that allows flying. This park is big and has flight rules of staying clear of people, games, and traffic plus if park workers are present, that area is off limits. Most folks are fairly good with interacting each other. Only a few incidents, one being an FPV drone that drifted into our flight pattern. Asking him to please stay clear of us worked w/o any tempers going off. Also told him if we are out flying and he can't find a spot, he would be welcome to join in and fly with us. What I do like about the park and my Mavic is showing the public that walk by. Many are curious and I'm more open to them in a public area. It's a good place to give a positive view to the hobby.
 
Back when I started flying in the 80's we had to ensure what frequency the other flyers were on. There was also protocol to follow, but that being said all members were very friendly and easy
to talk to.
 
So the fixed wing guys are ok with drones?

well, yes and no. My RC field has a square maybe 20ft x 20ft that is for quad flying. Kind of useless. When I fly my fixed wing RC there can be as many a 5 others flying at the same time but if I fly my drone people complain. But they don’t complain when some pilot is flying 3D taking up the whole runway. Nice field but very unfriendly towards drones.
 
Well that sux...most club fields have rules that prohibit flying in the landing/take off pattern(over the runway)...once you take off you fly in the designated flying area, both fixed wing and drone, quads, helos...sorry to hear you have drone HATERS in your club...be smart fly safe
 
It's a little different between a public park that allows RC flying as compared to standard club flying fields which are membership based! The state closed down our club fields due to the stay at home order. At all of my club sites, you have to be a club member (or guest), & you need to have proof of being an AMA member. At the park you share with baseball & soccer players along with other interests people have including the public walking, biking and what not.


Here is a (before the virus) video one of my fields.

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At my main club site we all trade off. We prefer pilots fly together when possible. But there is a dedicated spot for drones and helos. If the crowds are light, you can fly a drone or helo off the main runway. Higher speed fixed wing aircraft vs a slow moving drone isn't usually a great match. We want our members to feel comfortable with in regard to type aircraft and types of flying when occupying the same airspace. Depending on the pilot, I fly 3D with some turbine pilots that I'm (and others are) used to flying with. Pylon fliers are the most difficult to deal with if you are not flying a similar speed and pattern but we have a few racing drone guys that move at quite high speeds. Many are fine with mixed flying.

I also fly off an active runway and we are under a bit more regulation on FPV drone flight. As long as you stay aware of full sized aircraft landing and give way, fixed wing pilots are fine. At that site they kind of frown on something like a Mavic flying in a area that full sized aircraft are preparing to land.
 
It's a little different between a public park that allows RC flying as compared to standard club flying fields which are membership based! The state closed down our club fields due to the stay at home order. At all of my club sites, you have to be a club member (or guest), & you need to have proof of being an AMA member. At the park you share with baseball & soccer players along with other interests people have including the public walking, biking and what not.


Here is a (before the virus) video one of my fields.

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

At my main club site we all trade off. We prefer pilots fly together when possible. But there is a dedicated spot for drones and helos. If the crowds are light, you can fly a drone or helo off the main runway. Higher speed fixed wing aircraft vs a slow moving drone isn't usually a great match. We want our members to feel comfortable with in regard to type aircraft and types of flying when occupying the same airspace. Depending on the pilot, I fly 3D with some turbine pilots that I'm (and others are) used to flying with. Pylon fliers are the most difficult to deal with if you are not flying a similar speed and pattern but we have a few racing drone guys that move at quite high speeds. Many are fine with mixed flying.

I also fly off an active runway and we are under a bit more regulation on FPV drone flight. As long as you stay aware of full sized aircraft landing and give way, fixed wing pilots are fine. At that site they kind of frown on something like a Mavic flying in a area that full sized aircraft are preparing to land.
Fixed wingers feel slighted (rightfully so) as they have been lumped into the Drone category. It doesn’t really mean anything, it’s just a play on words.
I fly in public parks and as Droner Dave posted, it’s common to rub elbows with other enthusiasts, bikers, walkers, joggers, ball players, and fellow rc flyers. So we all get along and play nicely in the sandbox.
When I travel to NC, I fly at a AMA club field. I looked up the club on line, and sent an email to ask permission to fly my Drone there, which is granted each time I go there. The majority of the 50 some members are fixed wingers, and one day when I went there approximately 20 members were flying fixed wing aircraft. They invited me to fly with them and we all enjoyed our day of flying together. Droners / Fixed Wingers can play in the same sandbox with some common sense rules.
Don’t Worry, Be Happy.
Blue Skys and Happy trails
 
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And some fields require AMA membership for liability purposes.
 
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Take it as an opportunity to meet and socialize with them. Agree on who flies what/where and have FUN!

I flying "planks" (fixed wing) and helo and multirotors are the local park and we just talk it out :)
 

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