Flying Fields

[Chris Salomon]

A bit of a survey here.

I have belonged to clubs in the past but my flying tends to be a snatched hour here and there so I tend to fly on a local sports field, when it isn't being used.  I hasten to add I only fly electric although there are one or two others that fly I.C. here.  It always concerns me that insurance would not be valid though, I suppose 'Park-fly',  by definition, would be ok as long as common sense was applied.

What I'd like to do is to set up a more formal arrangement with maybe a local landowner for the use of a flying site.  What I'd like to know from others is what kind of arrangement do they have with landowners to have the use of a field?

 I had heard that if any payment is made then the field becomes the subject of a Planning Application, one local club gives the farmer a hamper at Christmas which neatly side-steps that requirement.

Also, how do farmers view having a mown strip, what sort of compensation do they require for the loss of its use etc. etc.

[Tim Kearsley]

Chris,

I wish you more success than I've had!!  I sent out a lot of letters a couple of months ago to local farmers, asking if they would allow me to use a field for flying electric models from.  I emphasised that I was a member of the BMFA and had insurance, that I ONLY flew electric and that I was asking ONLY for myself, not on behalf of a club.  In every case I sent an s.a.e.  In EVERY case, if I got an answer at all, it was negative.  In some cases they simply didn't bother to reply.

I've been lucky in that I am probably going to take over a relationship with a local farmer from someone else but it was by sheer luck that I heard of this.  I personally would be VERY interested to hear how you get on and the very best of luck!

Cheers,

Tim.

[FlyinBrian]

On the only occasion I have done this (Many many years ago) I visited the farmer personally and explained my needs, I was very lucky and the first one I visited allowed me the use of a suitable field. I was hand launching so no mowing was needed.

No mention was made of payment but a bottle of something decent was given to the farmer a couple of times a year

[flytilbroke]

I have found that the personal approach is more appreciated. I have used farms for more than model flying and have seldom had a refusal. I did some homework as to the crop or what animals were there or nearby before asking. I admit only short term permission was sought at first, BUT from that more regular ongoing permission has been granted as trust builds up.

[christopher small]

I am a Farmer myself on the family farm,I also try to get in an hour or even 1/2 an hour flying whenever possible although I haven`t done much in the last 8 years,I have never bothered with a mown flying strip but it would be nice.I am hoping to join a local club this year for the first time.