Please be careful around R/C fields...

[Smiley]

Hello manne

As a current pilot of both microlights and RC we did the following at our RC club.

We submitted the exact co-ordinates of our RC airfield and that was send to SAMAA(South African Model Aircraft Association). Then SAMAA approves the position of your airfield. Without them approving this, you are actually operating an illegal RC airfield.

Once approved they work hand in hand with CAA, and your RC airfield is mentioned in the notums as a “no fly zone”.

[Thunderboy]

Thanks Blue Angel

I know of 2 around me that are not listed or in the AIC's run off farms on the weekend,

If they stay below 500' AGL it would be safe for them and us, do they go higher?

[Blue Angel]

Hi Thunderboy,

The thing is, you never know if the r/c pilot is in training, reason is that these little aircraft can go so high that you can not see them anymore and they will still have 100% reception.I do not say that this is the case, but I have seen some guys who feels comfy the higher they go.

Blue Angel.

[cobra]

Find hereby a Easyplan user data file with the Radio Control Airfields in Gauteng taken for the AIC.

1) backup your user_points.dat file (in easyplan directory)
2) click on the link below
3) copy the content
4) open the user_points.dat file (in easyplan directory) with the txt editor and paste the content at the end of the file on a new line
5) save the user_points.dat file

http://www.eltanin.co.za/zukyk/rc.dat

Indicated as airfields with prefix RC. Spoke to Stephen at Easyplan, they will investigate the implementation of the SA RC airfields as part of the database.

PS supplied as info only.

[DieselFan]

Hi Thunderboy,

The thing is, you never know if the r/c pilot is in training, reason is that these little aircraft can go so high that you can not see them anymore and they will still have 100% reception.I do not say that this is the case, but I have seen some guys who feels comfy the higher they go.

Blue Angel.

Is there a license to get?

[gertcoetzee]

Forgive my French but f@k does Kortbroek know about this! Can you imagine that! All the smokkeling in the Western Cape and now these mini fields as well. A haven for tik drops, and all other drops known to man. It is sowaar unsafe to fly below 1000 ft all over Kaap die Goeie F@k. See the picture, and

http://www.zu-dve.com/rcfields.kmz (right click and save as)

for the Google File.

(Although I think I was accurate in typing in the coordinates, if you zoom in with Google you will see the coordinates were not correct in all instances)



Seriously, the great thing about this forum. Learn something every day!

[Rudolph]

Judstin

I refer to your comments regarding the so called incident yesterday. I was the pilot of microlight ZU-AJP.
I understand what will happen if a R/C aircraft fly into me. "I WILL BE DEAD" That is why I make 100% sure that there is no aircraft in the air before I turn into the circuit. It looked from above that the people on the ground was busy removing all equipment. Our circuit hight is ave 300" agl. I was flying at 650" agl. (5450 QNH 1015). I also want to bring under your attention that that airstrip exist for the last 15 years and is a official training stip for Centurion flying school. Mr. Flu Momberg is the CEO of the school. I think it is important to arrange a meeting between the different parties to solve the problem. Please contact me Rudolph Viljoen at 0832544131 or Flu Momberg at 082 666 2000 to discuss above.
I am sure we be able to solve problem.
Rudolph

[Eggbeater]

Hi All

This is quite an interesting situation, a r/c field also being used for microlights. When training at Rhino Park we had a similar situation with the r/c field located very close to the Rhino runways and I was taught to avoid the r/c field if there were any cars parked there. Difficult in this case though.

I have also heard of an r/c field near Vereeniging being used for gyros and, presumably, microlights as well so there is another potential problem.

To address the problem, and I am not picking on the r/c guys, is it not possible for the r/c guys to place an indicator (say a white bed sheet) on the ground near the wind sock when they are operating. Speaking for myself, one of the first things I do when approaching an airfield is look out for the windsock and a largish white rectangle would be visible from a long way off warning me to be careful and, if possible, to avoid the area entirely.

[Rudolph]

Hi all

Yes I agree. There is many ways to kill a cat. In situations like this the R/C club can possible have a hand radio on the ground to talk to the pilot and discuss possible problems. It must be there to help each other.

[John Young]

I am sure we be able to solve problem.

Agreed. I have seen good co-existence at two different airfields.

Make all trike circuits to the east or west as applicable and set a minimum fly over height (agl).

However, having said that, recognise that larger & faster r/c models “use” a relatively huge amount of airspace.

A little bit of “poaching” invariably takes place from both sides. One good mutually-beneficial way of earning respect is to use trikes to locate “downed” models (often where they should not have been in the first place). Makes for a tasty beer accompanied by a good laugh.

Have fun – fly safe.

Regards
John ZU-CIB

[justin.schoeman]

Judstin

I refer to your comments regarding the so called incident yesterday. I was the pilot of microlight ZU-AJP.
I understand what will happen if a R/C aircraft fly into me. "I WILL BE DEAD" That is why I make 100% sure that there is no aircraft in the air before I turn into the circuit. It looked from above that the people on the ground was busy removing all equipment. Our circuit hight is ave 300" agl. I was flying at 650" agl. (5450 QNH 1015). I also want to bring under your attention that that airstrip exist for the last 15 years and is a official training stip for Centurion flying school. Mr. Flu Momberg is the CEO of the school. I think it is important to arrange a meeting between the different parties to solve the problem. Please contact me Rudolph Viljoen at 0832544131 or Flu Momberg at 082 666 2000 to discuss above.
I am sure we be able to solve problem.
Rudolph

OK - there was one aircraft in the circuit when you first approached. The pilot landed to wait until you were out of the airspace. While you were doing circuits there were 3 pilots waiting to get airborn, and out of consideration for your safety, everybody waited until it was clear you were not coming back for another circuit.

I am aware that the strip has been there for a while. If it pre-exists WHRF, then I have no idea why the CAA registered WHRF. Generally, the microlights pose no problems, as the pilots are aware of us, and remain on the other side of the road. In the 3 years I have been flying there, this is the first time that a microlight has flown directly through our pattern.

I agree that something must be done, and I will chat to our club rep about contacting Mr Momberg to get safety procedures in place.

Thanks for your feedback,
Justin