Can you fly radio control planes in parks?

[CIS121]

I thought you could as long as they were electric. I was out tonight and when packing up, some chap with a Rottweiler came out of a council security van and started taking photos of me. Luckily he was enough distance away that he wont have got my plate and I pretty quickly got away.

Was I actually in the wrong?

I don't think so but he obviously did.

[mybrainhurts]

It'll be down to local by laws...

Where were you...?

[The Hypno-Toad]

Even when I flew R/C planes back in the eighties we had to have special insurance and we flew off the army ranges on a Sunday when they weren't shooting. It was a constant cause of complaint that we didn't have our own site but we couldn't get one where anyone would grant us insurance cover or were the NIMBYs weren't up in arms.

Now okay, these were full monty, ethenol powered Pitts Specials, Helicopters, CAP10s and the like, (I had a Hi Boy 30) but I think the theory is generaly the same.

So if I were you, I wouldn't do it again. Find a mate with a nice large back garden.

[zagato]

Small electric craft are fine. There is a line in the sand somewhere though, as large (dangerous) fuel powered (noisey) craft are now banned in public areas. Mostly you need a club on private land with insurance.

[Simpo Two]

CIS121 said:

I was out tonight and when packing up, some chap with a Rottweiler came out of a council security van and started taking photos of me.

Strange but if you responded in kind and took photos of him, he'd probably get very upset! I'd have gone over and challenged the gutless wr.

[sheets tabuer]

Do councils have rottweilers?

Maybe he was out dogging?

[CIS121]

I was tempted to go over to him, but he was trying to photograph my number plate which was obscured by a large bollard and the way I reversed and drove of gave him no chance. This made me feel better.

He was a right pillock. Photographing the car.

Of all places it was Brooklands actually, on the old airfield in the centre!

[Marcellus]

Perhaps worth popping into the moddelling shop in Addlestone to get the facts as to what you can or can't do!!

[CIS121]

Marcellus said:

Perhaps worth popping into the moddelling shop in Addlestone to get the facts as to what you can or can't do!!

Good idea!

[Moose.]

If you are flying RC aircraft (helis or aeroplanes) it's a very good idea to have some kind of third party liability insurance. If you join the BMFA:

http://www.bmfa.org/

It's only £21 a year and for that you get a £5 million 3rd party liability insurance They can also put you in touch with local clubs if you want (although in no way do you have to join them).

[motormania]

I wouldn't risk using any kind of RC car, plane, heli, or boat in a public area.

Find a club, or private land to enjoy your hobby.

We unfortunately live in a US styled sue society and believe me, if your plane was to crash into someone, I wouldn't like to be in your shoes without insurance!

Personally I feel that all users of RC vehicles should have personal insurance when using their gear in public. All clubs should be covered so long as you are a paid up member.

Edited by motormania on Wednesday 8th August 14:01

[outlaw...]

there is no law against flying in parks unless they have passed a byelaw. insharance is not a legal must but proberly a good idear never the less.

thats said it proberly not a brite idear with the biger stuff.

[motormania]

outlaw... said:

thats said it proberly not a brite idear with the biger stuff.

Depending on what size you are talking about in terms of the 'bigger stuff' you do actually need, by law, a special licence to fly them and even then there are restrictions as to where you can fly.

[outlaw...]

motormania said:

outlaw... said:

thats said it proberly not a brite idear with the biger stuff.

Depending on what size you are talking about in terms of the 'bigger stuff' you do actually need, by law, a special licence to fly them and even then there are restrictions as to where you can fly.

i know but thats real real big stuff m8 and i mean real big

i forget the exact weight now as i aint got abig enougth van too carry one in.

you could fly a 1/3 scale gasser in a park and theres no law against it.


ok its wouldent be a brite idear at all but it aint ilegal
I fly at clubs not park im just pointing out that there aint no law against it.