[NSRCA-discussion] FW: Flying models at an active airport

[John Konneker]

I did the following research a year or so ago when the club I was flying at, about 30 miles from me, was thinking about having a sailplane contest...didn't happen though.  I now fly at a farmer's private grass strip that is closer.  What worried me about the airport is once when I was praticing I had landed to refuel.  All of a sudden some guy in a Lancair came down the centerline at about 50ft doing 200 knots.  I never even heard him coming until he was on me.  NOTAMS only help if they are checked.  I know what the FAR's say about them but I'm a pilot and I never checked them when I was just going to go out and smash bugs on a local flight.  
The closing of the public airport isn't a choice the city has.  If the airport has accepted federal funds they are legally forbidden from closing the airport to general aviation for a non full size aviation event.  
All this being said I believe it can be done successfully.  I know Todd has held his contest on airport property for many years and look how close Site 4 at Muncie is to the full size airport.
Good luck!
JLK> Subject: Flying models at an active airport> Date: Mon, 11 Dec 2006 19:08:37 -0600> > Here is what I found out:> > R/C flying at Ft Madison is noted in the "Airport & Facilities Directory".> It is not mandatory that a pilot check this publication before flying in to > Ft Madison nor will it be mentioned by the Flight Service Station briefer.> > Our 3 letter identifier for the airport is FSW. Runways are 8/26, grass, > 1200ft in length and 16/34, paved, 4,002 ft in length. To remind Mark the > runway number is the compass heading rounded up or down to the nearest 10 > degrees so 8/26 is compass heading 080 in one direction and 260 in the > opposite direction.> > What is the FAA's policy on models flying at an active airport?> 1- If the responsible parties (airport manager, airport commission, city > council, etc) says it's OK then it's OK with the FAA.> 2- If the responsible parties (airport manager, airport commission, city > council, etc) says it's not OK then it's not OK with the FAA and you can't > fly.> > What is the AMA's policy?> 1- they would like all "tenants" be informed of the activity and be made > aware of the rules and procedures that are followed by the model flyers. > Tenants means folks that rent hangars, the FBO, the line boys, anyone that > is involved in any activity at the airport.> 2- They would like to see the use of spotters, an aircraft frequency radio > present and monitored, all model planes landed immediately when a full size > plane is operating...that is taking off or landing.> The above from the AMA is recommended and not mandatory.> > What do we do if we want to have a fly-in, contest or other activity that > would require we close 8/26?> It would be wise to issue a NOTAM (Notices to Airmen). This is for > temporary occurrences or events in or around the airport...such as airport > construction, Navaid's being out of service and yes, unusual model airplane > activity.> In http://www.faa.gov/ATpubs/AIM/Chap2/aim0203.html#2-3-6, Chapter 2, part > 3-6 of the Airman Information Manual under "Other Markings", "Temporarily > Closed Runways and Taxiways" no specific dimension or even requirement is > noted.> So, as far as "X"ing the runway it doesn't look like we are required to do > it unless the airport decides or we decide we need it.> There is no known case of a model colliding with a full size aircraft except > for an RC plane that hit the Goodyear blimp in 1989. There have been a lot > of rumors and third hand stories but no recorded incident...ever! This > according to the AMA's FAA liaison.> > Hope this helps.> Let me know if I can check on anything further or you have any questions > about the above.> JLK> > _________________________________________________________________> View Athlete’s Collections with Live Search > http://sportmaps.live.com/index.html?source=hmemailtaglinenov06&FORM=MGAC01> 
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