Flying Field - Photos?

[ajroahkni]

Thermal flying fields - basically a large piece of land to launch/land/have sky to fly in, right? What do you guys look for in a thermal field? What are the prime indicators of a good site?

[John Gallagher]

You want it free of obstructions like trees, bushes, sports backstops. It should also be land that is well drained, although my club's field is government designated wetlands. The most important factor of all is that the land is available for use. Not good to just wander onto private property and setup your highstart.

[portfoxdesign]

I agree with John , some thing fairly flat so you can run out your winch/histart. Also with some space to land unless you like to dodge things.
I used to fly at a footy field, just long enough to run out my histart, but it had an advantage, there were some wetland just behind it, which produced some awsome thermals on the right day.
But if i'm looking for a field, ususally i look for space and fields around it that produce heat, eg open dirt, highways etc
Also no power lines and be careful od low aircraft ( near airfields ).

Hope that helps

PD

[Mchone, Jake]

Yes, NEVER fly near airfields! Especialy small ones...I am a pilot, and althow I like to fly low and slow around Berea, and fly with the local RCers a little(lmao..very fun to see them get there planes down quick, fast and in a hury..except for some of the thermalers and E pylon racers who try and and fly along with me..I enjoy that) but I dont injoy dodging a sailpane or 5 upon takeoff or Final.
Please take my advise...I know a few guys who would just hit them and act like they didnt even know.

[nuevo]

If you're looking for a thermal field. The ideal field, to me would be:
large open flat ground. Fairly smooth.
grass covered
no or few trees
moved on a fairly regular basis
no soccer goals
no pot-holes, rocks, etc.
Examples are: sod farm, city/county/state park, college campus

If you fly by yourself, you could probably set up on a park or college without attracting any attention. If you are part of a group, contact the grounds manager.

For private property, get the owner's permission.

[tempest411]

This was an incredible field for many years. But my club lost it last summer when the owner sold it to someone that actually wanted it for something other than an investment...stupid horses!

[Mchone, Jake]

WOW! Love that one!
Im a sucker for pritty green grass:p

[Doc Data]

Navy's Auxiliary field in Jacksonville...

http://www.mustangone.com/thermalriders/Aerial2_0303.jpg

Dave

[Mchone, Jake]

VERY VERY NICE:D:D
Bet ya'll get one hell of a lot of thermals off the 'auxiliary' runway!
(had any occurances of which I slpoke off in my last post?(3/12 @ 3:17) lol):p

[jgleigh]

CASA field in Rockville, MD.

[Mchone, Jake]

Nice...im getting jelous!
What are thows little brocken strips of cement or black-top(asfalt)?

[jgleigh]

It used to be a power field until they got thrown out because of noise ... now we fly thermal and electrics there. The blacktop is the old runways, still usable for small electric jobs.

[Mchone, Jake]

I feel there pain, man...E have been haveing some truble @ Madison. BUt they wont get far with it..There are way too many pilots and aircraft based there.
Looks like it was one hell of a long time ago, when they were shut down...

[Vince inTX.]

Here is a shot of 1/4 of the Houston Hawks flying field in Crosby Texas. The cars are parked in what is roughly the center of the field. The field totals roughly 85 to 100 acres. This field is part of a sod farm and is being harvested more agressively this year than last. This leaves 1 inch deep parrallel "Ruts". Not real comfortable to walk on all day but does not seem to hurt the planes.

Sorry about the wire in the pic.

Vince

[Vince inTX.]

another

[Mchone, Jake]

Tht was taken from an SS wasn't it! lol
Cant mistake that Big red wing and crosses!:D

[Vince inTX.]

yep

[nuevo]

SS?

[Mchone, Jake]

Slow Stick
(i.e. GWS)