Academy of Model Aeronautics

Last night 4 of us decided to go fly. I needed to get a test flight in on the Somebodys Original after the engine change. I almost lost it.

The parking lot we fly off of has a main entrance which is where we park our cars but there is a second drive in from the side street. After taking off and getting comfortable with the power available (WOW) from the like new OS 25 FSR it happened.

Steve Couch arrived and used the alternate entrance and stopped at the edge of the parking lot to watch. Then a woman drove in that entrance, went out on the grass to get by Steve. Steve honked at her and she stopped. He told her that I was flying and to please wait. She Said "I am late for a meeting" and away she went right under my model airplane. She passed about 30 feet from me while I kept the model high.

Thanks to Steve honking his horn, that got my attention, and then I kept an eye on her just in case she did exactly what she did. I would have been bad if I had not been watching her as I could have hit her windshield with a 40 ounce airplane going wide open. That was what I was testing and it goes like XXXX.

The next morning I was still shaking thinking that if Steve had not been there she would have just driven right into my flight path with no warning.

Clancy

Clancy-----my heart skipped a beat when I read your post. Civillians don't have any idea of what we're doing or that there are lines or that they could get hurt to be in the way. That's a big risk for all of us when we fly on parking lots or baseball fields. And of course if someone got hiy passing by the court would favor the pedestrian. It's a good thing your flying buddy honked.
You got lucky dude.
When me and Jan fly on ball fields we keep a close watch and a whistle. If someone is coming close we toot the whistle to alert the pilot of foot traffic.

Frank
That is a good idea!! Jack Sheeks is a retired Lt. from the Indianapolis Police Dept. I will suggest he bring his whistle.
Clancy

Clancy I didn't know you fly with Jack Sheeks. Don't tell anyone but he was always one on my c/l heroes. Back in the day it seemed like every month he had a new construction article and I liked the way he wrote and the attitude he showed for modeling. The (to me) radical designs he built were way cool. Even by todays standards those planes are cool.
I've always felt that heroes are at their best for me if I don't get to know them because then I don't witness any human behavior that would diminish their hero status. So I never approached him at the circle. Or Willie Nelson at a concert or Hulk Hogan at a WWE event.
Anyway-----use his whistle.
Do you have plans for the Brodak Fly-In?

Frank
Jack and I will be there. Look for us around the Junk Yard Wars area or near my U/Tronics banner.

Clancy

I'm looking forward to seeing you guys. I'll be camping across the street so I'll be around most of the day. I'm getting geeked up about a whole week of airplanes with a couple hundred of my closest friends.
I'll be there Monday afternoon.