Author Topic: Bummer! No Blacktop (Read 3144 times)

Dick Pacini · « **on:** November 12, 2009, 02:53:50 PM »

Boy, getting back into flying after a 35 year hiatus is nothing but an uphill battle. I am rediscovering the reasons why I had to quit back then when I moved to NH.

I can live without hobby shops now because of the web.

I can build a stooge, so I don't need a buddy.

But dang it, I can't find a piece of blacktop large enough to fly on. Not even considering begging the owner for permission to leave fuel stains in his parking lot, there just aren't any around that don't have lamp posts or parking curbs strategically placed to prevent my intrusion with a toy airplane.

I have found grass lots that are large enough, such as our community park. Of course, during the summer, all kinds of stuff is going on, so it would be iffy at best. Even if I hit it right on a day when nobody was in the park, I still have the issue of the grass. I just don't like grass runways. If I am going to stuff one in, I don't want to dig it out of the dirt in hopes of salvaging anything larger than a tailwheel. Black top to trash can is my motto.

I checked the AMA listings and none of the clubs in my area fly C/L, save one that is several hours away. Even then, they have a grass circle in a municipal park that is open to the public.

Without pavement, gone are the trike gear, wheel pants, skinny wheels and low slung contest grade aircraft.

Bummer.

Anyway, here is a list of my latest to return to the hobby/obsession of CLPA:

Purchased 4 new engines; Evo 36, Brodak 40, OS 46LA and a ST G51. My son is also returning my ST46 that I bought in 1975 and has only been run a few times, after sitting in the box for 25 years. I should be able to power whatever takes my fancy.

I have ordered 2 sets of plans to my own plane, Spirit of Saginaw.

I have ordered a set of plans (from Germany) for the Commodore.

I am considering obtaining a new Stiletto 660 kit.

I am planning on a G Nobler from UHP.

I am planning on a T-Rex.

I re-upped with the AMA and got my old number back.

I have sent in the membership fee to re-join PAMPA. (I was one of the charter members.)

So, moving along... .

john e. holliday · « **Reply #1 on:** November 12, 2009, 03:43:53 PM »

Do you have an industrial area in town some where. Sometimes lots of pavement, but may be a little rough. I fly off of grass as it is 70 miles to a paved circle. Also grass is a lot more forgiving at times.

ChrisSarnowski · « **Reply #2 on:** November 12, 2009, 04:39:09 PM »

I know what you mean about parking lots with lamp poles, curbs, and little curb islands all over the place. Capitalism really has trashed parking lots for control line flying, with stores open 7 days a week, and open late so you have light poles all over the parking lots.

I've noticed that church parking lots in my area generally don't have so many parking lot features. You might have to find one on the edge of town though.

Where are you? Maybe someone here could point you towards a place to fly that's closer.

-Chris

Matt Colan · « **Reply #3 on:** November 12, 2009, 04:47:48 PM »

Dick, why don't you make a 3 hour drive up to us to fly in my backyard. Yeah I know it is grass, but I keep it at golf course green kind of height, an Ares with low slung gear takes off just fine. We could always use a new flying buddy

Dick Pacini · « **Reply #4 on:** November 12, 2009, 05:07:05 PM »

Quote from: Matt Colan on November 12, 2009, 04:47:48 PM

Dick, why don't you make a 3 hour drive up to us to fly in my backyard. Yeah I know it is grass, but I keep it at golf course green kind of height, an Ares with low slung gear takes off just fine. We could always use a new flying buddy

Where are you? I am in Charlestown, on the Vermont border.

Matt Colan · « **Reply #5 on:** November 12, 2009, 05:09:41 PM »

I'm up in Swanton, WAAAAYYYYYY up by Canada and by Lake Champlain. I'm about a 1/2 hour north of Burlington the "big city" in Vermont.

John Castle · « **Reply #6 on:** November 12, 2009, 05:47:44 PM »

Check out the local airport. Often a lot of vacant asphalt there.

Bill Hummel · « **Reply #7 on:** November 13, 2009, 08:34:14 AM »

Hey, Dick, you're "just up the road" from Lee, MA. Outstanding flying site, grass but like a pool table! Also, home of a super old-fashioned hobby shop...that even sells c/l stunt fuel! Barn Speed Hobbies and our site would welcome you any time for a visit!

Perry Rose · « **Reply #8 on:** November 13, 2009, 01:54:06 PM »

If you want to move to Plainfield, CT there are several spots with black top that are flyable. I use the defunct Plainfield Greyhound Park parking lot. 80 acres of asphalt and no obstructions. Right off exit 87 of I-395.

Dick Pacini · « **Reply #9 on:** November 13, 2009, 03:23:48 PM »

Quote from: Bill Hummel on November 13, 2009, 08:34:14 AM

Hey, Dick, you're "just up the road" from Lee, MA. Outstanding flying site, grass but like a pool table! Also, home of a super old-fashioned hobby shop...that even sells c/l stunt fuel! Barn Speed Hobbies and our site would welcome you any time for a visit!

Just checked the distance. Looks like a couple of hours for my Hemi to chew on. Checked the Barn Speed Hobbies. WOW! I can't remember the last time I saw such an assortment. That alone would be worth a trip. I drive to CT a few times a year, so Lee wouldn't be too bad.

Is your flying site affiliated with an AMA Club? It sounds great.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #10 on:** November 13, 2009, 03:42:36 PM »

Yea, we fly at a local county airport or at a local warehouse district. Some of us fly at a mattress factory and some at the local county airport. We got permission at the airport from the owner. Pretty cool, though flying between hangers can be interesting when the wind blows.

Dick Pacini · « **Reply #11 on:** November 13, 2009, 03:54:40 PM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on November 13, 2009, 03:42:36 PM

Yea, we fly at a local county airport or at a local warehouse district. Some of us fly at a mattress factory and some at the local county airport. We got permission at the airport from the owner. Pretty cool, though flying between hangers can be interesting when the wind blows.

What is the name of your AMA Club?

Randy Powell · « **Reply #12 on:** November 13, 2009, 03:58:36 PM »

Dick,

the NorthWest Skyraiders.

http://www.nwskyraiders.com/

If you look on the website, you'll see a bunch of maps to all the flying sites in the area. While that won't help you much for flying since you are on the other side of the country, it might give you an idea of where to look.

Dick Pacini · « **Reply #13 on:** November 13, 2009, 04:04:27 PM »

I'm confused a bit. How can your club be on the other side of the US and your flying site is in Lee?

Randy Powell · « **Reply #14 on:** November 13, 2009, 07:31:52 PM »

Bill Hummel is in Lee. I'm in Seattle.

Matt Colan · « **Reply #15 on:** November 13, 2009, 07:38:52 PM »

And Matt is at the end of the World

Randy Powell · « **Reply #16 on:** November 14, 2009, 12:53:01 AM »

Matt,

Where I live isn't the end of the world ... but I can see it from here.

Matt Colan · « **Reply #17 on:** November 14, 2009, 06:29:26 AM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on November 14, 2009, 12:53:01 AM

Matt,

Where I live isn't the end of the world ... but I can see it from here.

I meant I was at the end of the world, but I see your point in being able to see the end, a large body of water, that correct?

Dick Pacini · « **Reply #18 on:** November 15, 2009, 08:35:48 AM »

Quote from: Matt Colan on November 14, 2009, 06:29:26 AM

I meant I was at the end of the world, but I see your point in being able to see the end, a large body of water, that correct?

Being at the end of the world is better than having people say," If they were going to give the earth an enema, they would plug it in here."

W.D. Roland · « **Reply #19 on:** November 15, 2009, 10:13:16 AM »

Quote from Dick
{Boy, getting back into flying after a 35 year hiatus is nothing but an uphill battle.}

34 years for me.
For awhile I was convinced the laws of physics had changed

nothing seemed to work

It is getting better now......

If you have to do grass check out the modern wheels. Very light weight.
Might want to go up on wheel O.D. so you can get some flying in.

For some reason I prefer grass for R/C flying ,all my stuff is tail draggers.

David

Peter Ferguson · « **Reply #20 on:** November 15, 2009, 11:02:51 AM »

What Randy was implying was that out here in the NW we have had success getting permission to fly at local airports. They like the aviation recreation aspect of the hobby, many full scale pilots flew models at one time or another and it gives the Airport board something to crow about in regard to doing something for the community . We currently fly at 5 airports in WA. Make it clear that you are not R/C and emphasize safety and noise control (mufflers, thongs, fire extinguisher, first aid etc)

Randy Powell · « **Reply #21 on:** November 15, 2009, 01:29:13 PM »

Matt,

>>I meant I was at the end of the world, but I see your point in being able to see the end, a large body of water, that correct?<<

I must be getting old. The comment was a paraphrased quote from a movie. "Well, it's not the end fo the world, but you can see if from here".

Matt Colan · « **Reply #22 on:** November 15, 2009, 03:23:51 PM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on November 15, 2009, 01:29:13 PM

Matt,

>>I meant I was at the end of the world, but I see your point in being able to see the end, a large body of water, that correct?<<

I must be getting old. The comment was a paraphrased quote from a movie. "Well, it's not the end fo the world, but you can see if from here".

Oh, well now I know that quote, it rings a bell. You remember what movie it was from, I know I've heard it before?

Author Topic: Bummer! No Blacktop (Read 3144 times)

ChrisSarnowski