New KC area flying site

[Dave_Trible]

For quite a few years I've flown at a soccer field/city park near my work.  In the past I could use the field a good portion of the time.  In recent times many more activities there have made it nearly impossible to fly there-even weekdays as now the neiboring schools are bringing gym classes to the park hourly.  I was having to drive 70 miles to Topeka to get a couple flights in.  We are talking a metro area with 3/4 million people in it and no place to fly.
I went on a search mission and after a lot of 'no' I got a yes.  In a very large ( several square miles) industrial area in Overland Park Kansas I found this field where I can fly anytime I want, not around everyone else.  It's a simply grass area and I needed to buy a new mower to mow it but it will serve the purpose well.  They plan a new building here next year so I'll be looking again but I think getting a toe-hold in this area and letting people see it will help find another spot in this huge area.  The area leasing company rejected me here but  once a business owns the property the leasing company can pound sand.  
I was out mowing yesterday and was hit up for the non-cash bribe for the help getting the field.  Seems this guy has property with a lot of trees and needs a gas- powered pole saw...... Guess I'm shopping for pole saws but very glad to have an any-time place near home to fly.  All are welcome.  I'll even let you push the mower once in a while.....

Dave

[john e. holliday]

Dave,  I have the rider that I bought for mowing when I was mowing the circles up north and at Shawnee Park.   Was mowing for a church until they decided I didn't need to be paid.   Also did you ever check to see how far it is the Fleming Park in Lees Summit?   I know it is about 30 miles one way for me.   Jim Piscetto was out mowing the field during the F2D contest there.  I know the Minor lads fly out there as well as Rob Hein.   Just wonder how many CL guys we have in KC area that fly just for fun.   I have one granddaughter that is showing some interest again, just for fun flying.

[Dave_Trible]

John that rider would be nice but do you have a trailer to haul it?  I can fly a 5 second lap but I sure can't mow one.  It should get a lot easier now I've cut through the deep thatch that was never cut before.  Got it down to 1 1/4".  Made a couple flights and had no problems.
I've not gone over to Flemming.  I'd bet it takes as long going east through KC than it does going twice as far west to Topeka.  Might check it out but the idea that I can fly now within 10 minutes of home.... Will make a lot of short flying sessions where before I wouldn't even attempt it.  Charlie Reeves grand kids live near here ( and he is coming to fly at Thanksgiving) so there are a few who'll use the site.

Dave

[john e. holliday]

Yes, I have a trailer that I haul it on.   

[Dave_Trible]

Sounds great.  It's mowed for this week but maybe next week or two.  Come fly Monday if you can.  I should be out there quite a while.  Call me and I'll guide you in.

[Jim Kraft]

Glad you found a place to fly. I use to have a place at a greyhound practice track about a 1/2 mile from my house, but they recently plowed it up and planted oats in there. I have to drive 26 miles one way to the Salina Ks. R/C field where there is a control line field also. It is all most all hiway to get there so its not to bad. Andrew Hathaway lives over there so we get to fly together often.

I don't know where you guys live, but I grew up just down the street from Roseland  school on Clark Drive till I was 10 years old. My folks moved back there in the 60's, and I use to fly at the school yard that was all concrete when we would visit them. After looking at the satelite view it  looks like the school has expanded and not much room to fly now.

[Randy Cuberly]

I Dave,
I'm glad you managed to get a flying site.  It's a sad state of affairs when a place like KC won't support a CL Flying site.  I grew up there first in the Northeast side and flew at Northeast High school...big paved area...right across from Northeast Hobby shop...moved over to the far west side (almost in Kansas) and lived with my grandparents through High School at Westport HS and flew mostly in KC Kansas at City Park...belonged to the KC Flying Eagles...Nice site at City Park with donuts for circles etc.  Also there was a site at Swope park for a lot of years...all grass but a nice big area and the City mowed it for us regularly.
Too bad it's come to this.  You and DOC should move out to Tucson and fly with us here...one of the best sites around and provided and mostly maintained by the City.
Contest there today and tomorrow actually...Burt Brokaw set a new Record in AMA Profile Carrier there today.  OT and Classic flown today with PAMPA classes tomorrow.  Great weather so far 70's to 80's and 2-3 mph winds...Stunt heaven.

Bob Whitely won Classic and Lou Wolgast was second with Leroy Black in third.  I'm not going to elucidate any further than that because I would probably screw something up and make everybody mad at me.  Turn out for classic was surprisingly light...OT better.

Pampa classes will be better tomorrow...Igor Panchenko and another very nice gentleman from Ukraine (whose name escapes my 73 year old brain at the moment) are here an will fly tomorrow.

Hey Doc...Hope you're well and can make VSC again this year.

Again glad to hear you were successful in obtaining a flying site.

Randy Cuberly

[Dave_Trible]

Thank you Randy.  I'm sure you miss the winters here.  That would be a good place to retire to and fly year round.  Maybe.....My sis is migrating to Vegas to retire and that also appeals.  It's just so far to Muncie.  Hope the flying goes well there tomorrow.  Let us know.

Dave

[Darwin Ulledahl]

Dave that looks good. You'll have to give me coordinates so I can determine Jim and my distance. I've been wanting to break out my roundy-round control line tether self propelled mower that can cut a circle while we cook hamburgers or wax our planes waiting for a fresh runway. Kinda like a crop circle will appear if you close your eyes long enough Give me a call or email let me know when you plan some flying sessions. Jim and I need some flight time.

Darwin

[Dave_Trible]

Hi Darwin!  The site is basically at 99th and Commerce Pkwy., two blocks west of 99th and Lackman Rd., just a short clip off 435& W. 95th.  Work tomorrow but call me Monday.  Bonus points for mowers!

Dave