Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Air Models / February 2004

Most fields are owned/operated by clubs. Most require an AMA license to fly
due mainly to insurance concerns. Find who operates the field, usually on
the sign, and call them...

As the other poster said, you probably need to be an AMA member.

The AMA card does say license, but it's not a license like your
driver's license.  Basically it just means you're an AMA member, and
the important thing here is that it provides insurance, and that's
what the club is mostly worried about.

You don't need an AMA card to fly anywhere, unless the owners of the
property require it (and the club probably does.)  As for insurance,
if you have a homeonwer's or renter's policy, that probably covers
your flying as well (but ask to be sure) but many (most?) clubs will
only accept AMA insurance.

That's so no two people use the same frequency at the same time.  It's
important.  You should also make sure you don't fly within 3 miles or
so from this club (like if you find a park or something) without
making some sort of arrangements with people there so you don't
accidently use the same frequencies as them.

If there's not a frequency board like that, always go up to any other
fliers near you and ask what frequency they're on BEFORE you turn on.
And if a new guy shows up, tell him what frequency you're on.
(If you're flying at a park, other guys may show up as well and fly.)

It's not really a license as you think of one, but what you're
probably looking for is here --

  http://www.ama-dist-8.org/Membership/index.php
  https://www.modelaircraft.org/templates/ama/trialmemberapp.aspx

You didn't forget.  It's in the Subject. :)

Most cities don't prohibit electric planes in their parks, so assuming
you're not in one of the cities that do, you can probably fly it at a
local park.  You'll need a large park, and it needs to be just about
empty -- even a small electric plane can hurt somebody badly if it
hits them.  Never fly it anywhere near people, and not over people
either.

As mentioned earlier, don't fly at a park within 3 miles of that club
unless you've made arrangements with them.  Many clubs are actively
hostile to making those sorts of arrangements, so it's probably best
to either fly with them (being an AMA member) or more than 3 miles
away from them.

You might want to go to the club when people are flying and talk to
them about it.  Most clubs are busiest on sundays, with saturday being
the second busiest day.  Most of the people are pretty friendly, but
you might need to walk up to somebody and introduce yourself first.
Bring your plane, though they probably can't let you fly until you
join the AMA.

Some people like to dismiss the small park fliers as `toys' or `not
worth their time'.  There's some truth to that, as they're usually
simple to fly and sometimes aren't much fun for more experienced
pilots, but they're often great for learning, especially if you don't
have somebody to show you the ropes.  And don't underestimate the
benfits of being able to fly almost anywhere, and not needing a box of
tools to fly!

Dunno. Probly means you havce to join the club.

Oh forgot to mention that this

Chances are its on 27Mhz. Wait till you fnd someone flying ther and ask
them.