[NSRCA-discussion] Full Scale Airport

[Bob Kane]

I did that once . . .   the site was a former Naval Air Station with two beautiful runways configured as a "V" with the opening of the V facint North. Spent months working with the airport board to get permission and agreee on the operating procedures. We flew off the west leg of the V and it was closed to full scale aircraft, the other runway remained operational. The NOTAM's were filed, I had charts of all the fixed and rotary aircraft landing approaches, and even purchased an aircraft band scanner to monitor traffic, although radio contact was not a requirement to use the airport. Our flight area was well clear of the published approaches. We also stopped flying if an aircraft used the other runway.

Two things happened to spoil the event, the first was a local helicopter pilot who felt he owned the place and made up his own landing approach by flying over to see what we were doing. We saw him coming and instructed the pilot to get out of the way with help from spotter. After landing the helicopter pilot came out to mix it up because he claimed he was almost hit by a model aircraft (not true), and what were we doing on "his" airport (it is owned/operated by the local municipality). One of the competitors was more versed in full scale operations and pointed out his failure to follow airport procedures.

The second was a Canadian registered Thorp which appeared out of nowhere over the tree line behind us, made blistering pass right down the runway, almost took the antenna off of Verne Koester's radio, then dissapeared over the horizon.

I would not do it again unless the airport was closed to full scale traffic. You would be in a no-win situation if anything happens.


Bob Kane
getterflash at yahoo.com



----- Original Message ----
From: Ed Deaver <divesplat at yahoo.com>
To: NSRCA Mailing List <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2008 5:42:58 AM
Subject: [NSRCA-discussion] Full Scale Airport


I have been put in a difficult situation here in Lubbock and am interested in some of your valued opinions.
 
Scenario:
Our club field (now) is a small airport in Abernathy, 20 miles North of Lubbock.  The city will not close the airport for model events.  The club may not support a contest at the city field (not the club "home" field.)
 
My question is;
 
How do you feel about competing at a site, requiring you to immediately land as soon as a full scale plane is on final?
 
I don't think there is much full scale traffic, but it only takes one incident/hard landing or interuption to that burner flight you have been looking for all summer, to make the contest unenjoyable.
 
Thank you for your input.
 
Ed


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