Please be careful around R/C fields...

[justin.schoeman]

Hi all,

Please don't take this the wrong way, but we had another problem with a microlight at our R/C field yesterday.

Please remember when you are flying near an RC field, that even though your A/C is a lot bigger, R/C aircraft are a lot faster! The pilots are also looking directly at their models, and with the faster models cannot even look ahead by much. This means that if you are in their flight path, the R/C pilot will not see you until it is too late. Being hit by 3kg of wood and metal at 250kph+ is sure to ruin your day

Remember that R/C fields are restricted airspace (0-1000' AGL, 1nm radius). If you see one, please steer well clear.

In this case, a spectator noticed that the microlight was going to cross our pattern, and called out a warning. The flying pilots landed, and stayed grounded for 20 minutes while waiting for the x x x x x to move on, despite many attempts to wave him off.

To the pilot of ZU-AJP, it is really inconsiderate to ground an entire club just so that you can do circuits at an illegal airstrip.

Thanks,
-justin
.

[gertcoetzee]

Remember that R/C fields are restricted airspace (0-1000' AGL, 1nm radius).

I can find no R/C (field) restrictions on aviation maps, and have never noticed any NOTAMs in this regard.

Is there a list of "approved" R/C fields? If so, approved by whom and published where?

Here in the Western Cape, apart from the well known one north of Durbanville I have noticed one southwest of Paarl mountain, and one in the D200.

Is it possible that the Microlight you saw was not aware that R/C aircraft operated in the area?

[Morph]

I had the same problems when I was flying RC up in Bapsfontein. The problem with R/C aircraft is they are so small the pilot of the microlight might not even see them. Additionally a jet powered model is too fast for him to be able to react properly.

As a member of Aeroclub, and since you do use the air for your sport I would highly recommend that each club have a Radio, so you can
a) hear what traffic is in your area, and
b) Be able to communicate with the offending aircraft and tell him he is about to have a 1/4 scale pits up his arse in a few seconds if he does not leave

[justin.schoeman]

>I can find no R/C field with restrictions on aviation maps, and have never noticed any >NOTAMs in this regard.
>
>Is there a list of "approved" R/C fields? If so, approved by whom and published where?

All listed in your AIC's...

>Is it possible that the Microlight you saw was not aware that R/C aircraft operated in the >area?

Only if he was blind - he was repeatedly overflying tarred and painted runways - difficult to miss!

-justin

[justin.schoeman]

I had the same problems when I was flying RC up in Bapsfontein. The problem with R/C aircraft is they are so small the pilot of the microlight might not even see them. Additionally a jet powered model is too fast for him to be able to react properly.

As a member of Aeroclub, and since you do use the air for your sport I would highly recommend that each club have a Radio, so you can
a) hear what traffic is in your area, and
b) Be able to communicate with the offending aircraft and tell him he is about to have a 1/4 scale pits up his arse in a few seconds if he does not leave

That would make sense, but then each R/C club would:
1) have to acquire a radio
2) have to acquire a radio station licence (and callsign)
3) have to have licensed radio operators available at all times.

All in all, a logistical nightmare, especially if you consider that the airspace is a published no-fly zone already...

-justin

[DieselFan]

Hmm so what happens at Panorama airfield? The two are VERY close to each other less than 1nm

[justin.schoeman]

Hmm so what happens at Panorama airfield? The two are VERY close to each other less than 1nm

Congratulations to the CAA on another stuff-up. This should never have been allowed to happen. I suppose if local procedures are in place to ensure that R/C and microlight traffic never mix, it should still be OK... I have heard of situations where this has been done.

-justin

[cobra]

Hi all,

Please don't take this the wrong way, but we had another problem with a microlight at our R/C field yesterday.
.

It will help if the RC field could be named for future refers

[justin.schoeman]

The club in question is 'White Hills Radio Flyers'.

For those of you interested, the AIC is:
http://www.caa.co.za/resource%20center/AIC'S/17.3.pdf

-justin

[cobra]

The club in question is 'White Hills Radio Flyers'.

For those of you interested, the AIC is:

http://www.caa.co.za/resource%20center/AIC'S/17.3.pdf

-justin

Excellent Thanks

[Frootbat]

Hmm so what happens at Panorama airfield? The two are VERY close to each other less than 1nm

No problems ever....Live & let live...We know that the Kammakazi's are dangerous...Ons gaan soek nie k*k daar nie.

[Thunderboy]

There has been some mention of putting R/C airfields on our maps I read somewhere the other day just cant remember where,

but untill then, if we do not know of the R/C fields I think we have right of way especially if they are faster, we are bigger they can see us first and get out of our way

Landing at a field that is exclusively for R/C A/C is a different story of course

[justin.schoeman]

There has been some mention of putting R/C airfields on our maps I read somewhere the other day just cant remember where,

but untill then, if we do not know of the R/C fields I think we have right of way especially if they are faster, we are bigger they can see us first and get out of our way

Landing at a field that is exclusively for R/C A/C is a different story of course

1) As I mentioned - it is difficult to see other A/C, as you are looking at a small piece of sky, and scanning rapidly across - depending on the model, it is often impossible to look ahead.

2) Not knowing where the RC fields are is no excuse at all. It is _your_ responsibility to read _all_ the AIC's.

-justin

[Morph]

but untill then, if we do not know of the R/C fields I think we have right of way especially if they are faster, we are bigger they can see us first and get out of our way

Thunderboy, this is not possible. When flying R/C you can't afford to take your eyes off the plane as you might loose sight of it. So unless you have a very good peripheral vision, or you have other spotters on the ground the R/C pilot is at the disadvantage.

[Blue Angel]

Hi all,

I am a r/c pilot myself and never thought it would be such a problem, Feel free to visit the following link it might help.

http://www.samaa.org.za/asp/club_regist ... ovince.asp