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Overfly rights

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Phil - 18 May 2004 23:21 GMT
Considering buying 6 acres of land to fly off of.  Parking, runway,
pavilion has anybody delt with what is required to fly over adjacent
property?

Phil
Paul McIntosh - 18 May 2004 23:38 GMT
All you need is permission of the landowner.  You would also want recovery
permission!  This is a viable option for many flying sites in rural areas.
Best to incorporate as a club and get liability insurance so that when you
approach landowner, you look like you have done this before and know what
you are doing!

--
Paul McIntosh
http://www.rc-bearings.com
> Considering buying 6 acres of land to fly off of.  Parking, runway,
> pavilion has anybody delt with what is required to fly over adjacent
> property?
>
> Phil
Phil - 19 May 2004 00:29 GMT
A little more clarification.  We already lease the property have for years, we
want to buy it.  We already have the permission to overfly the adjacent
property, but currently since he is also to whom we pay rent, he holds both
pieces of property and if he were to sell a piece of the overfly area we could
just walk away, part of the lease agreement.   Has anybody been involved in
some type of sales agreement to which an over flight right of way has been
negotiated?  i.e. If he decides to decline over flight permission after the
sale.  I'm giving the simple version here.  Actually the owner is a group of
property owners, each owning a share of the acreage in the over flight area.

> All you need is permission of the landowner.  You would also want recovery
> permission!  This is a viable option for many flying sites in rural areas.
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> >
> > Phil
Dave Thompson - 19 May 2004 06:30 GMT
> A little more clarification.  We already lease the property have for years, we
> want to buy it.  We already have the permission to overfly the adjacent
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> sale.  I'm giving the simple version here.  Actually the owner is a group of
> property owners, each owning a share of the acreage in the over flight area.

If they want to sell, make it part of the sale and title covenants.  If you
can afford a good real estate lawyer, get it agreed that even if they sell
the current adjacent property, your overfly and recovery rights are
protected.

--
Dave Thompson
Paul McIntosh - 19 May 2004 07:42 GMT
Unless you can negotiate a long term overflight deal with the landowners, I
wouldn't buy the property.  Consult a land rights attorney.

--
Paul McIntosh
http://www.rc-bearings.com
> A little more clarification.  We already lease the property have for years, we
> want to buy it.  We already have the permission to overfly the adjacent
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
> > >
> > > Phil
AAAlias - 19 May 2004 17:33 GMT
> A little more clarification.  We already lease the property have for years, we
> want to buy it.  We already have the permission to overfly the adjacent
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> sale.  I'm giving the simple version here.  Actually the owner is a group of
> property owners, each owning a share of the acreage in the over flight area.

I'd be real nice to everyone involved. All it takes is a cheap scanner
and a Hitec channel selector. Your club would end immediatly.
JohnT. - 19 May 2004 17:56 GMT
FWIW, some property owners on the east coast are suing some full size
aerobatic fliers, claiming the airspace over their properties is
"theirs", and the pilots need to have permission.

The FAA had given the pilots authorization for their aerobatics box, but
the landowners didn't like the noise they claim was being generated.

Hopefully, this stupid suit will be defeated, but it will cost money!

John
Paul McIntosh - 19 May 2004 19:35 GMT
I side with the land owners since aerobatic flight at low level is
inherently dangerous.  Teh FAA can give them permission to do it, but the
FAA has no right so impose the increased risk on the landowners.

--
Paul McIntosh
http://www.rc-bearings.com
> FWIW, some property owners on the east coast are suing some full size
> aerobatic fliers, claiming the airspace over their properties is
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> John
Andy Asberry - 22 May 2004 04:33 GMT
>I side with the land owners since aerobatic flight at low level is
>inherently dangerous.  Teh FAA can give them permission to do it, but the
>FAA has no right so impose the increased risk on the landowners.

The way I understand it, they are using noise as the basis of their
suit. Nothing to do with aerobatics. If successful, their suit would
ban_all_GA.
Matthew P. Cummings - 19 May 2004 00:46 GMT
> pavilion has anybody delt with what is required to fly over adjacent
> property?

Nobody owns airspace but you should consider how you will recover the
planes that don't make it back home, and that will happen eventually.

Were it mine I would be nice and explain the situation and invite them
over, helps to diffuse the noise issue as well.  Might even get a new
person flying in the end.
Bonehenge - 19 May 2004 01:43 GMT
>Nobody owns airspace but you should consider how you will recover the
>planes that don't make it back home, and that will happen eventually.

Without some cooperation with the landowner, you won't need the
airspace.  Models can easily be grounded by noise complaints, etc...

Models do not have a "right" to fly.  We generally lose pissing
contests.  Talking about overflight ahead of time is an excellent
idea.

Barry
Paul McIntosh - 19 May 2004 07:44 GMT
Tel that to the FAA and every major airport  and government.  The government
can enforce anything they want.

--
Paul McIntosh
http://www.rc-bearings.com

> > pavilion has anybody delt with what is required to fly over adjacent
> > property?
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> over, helps to diffuse the noise issue as well.  Might even get a new
> person flying in the end.
Doug McLaren - 19 May 2004 09:03 GMT
| Nobody owns airspace

Is that really true?

I know you can generally fly a full scale plane (you know, with a
pilot sitting in the plane?) just about anywhere (as long as you're
not flying in a controlled region -- near an airport, military base,
President's house, etc.)  Of course, you're expected to keep above
certain altitude unless you're taking off or landing. (1000 ft?  400
ft?  Dunno.)

I tend to doubt that applies to R/C planes, unless perhaps they're
above a certain altitude, which would be higher than most people spend
the majority of their flights at.

Noise issues can't be the only thing -- people do complain about
electrics (quiet) and gliders (almost completely silent.)  And then
there's the issue of retreiving lost planes, but it can be (unwisely)
ignored at first.

http://www.modelaircraft.org/templates/ama/PDF-files/526.pdf has some
thoughts on the matter.  Of course, the AMA does not dictate law, but
they seem to think that the law generally means that airspace is
owned.

Signature

Doug McLaren, dougmc@frenzy.com
"Not all chemicals are bad. Without chemicals such as hydrogen and
oxygen, for example, there would be no way to make water, a vital
ingredient in beer." -- Dave Barry

MJC - 19 May 2004 13:55 GMT
   Nobody owns the airspace, but that's not what will get the club
grounded. All the owner of the adjacent property has to do is to register a
hazard complaint against the club and they're done.
   Setting up a flying field that's small enough to require adjacent
overfly areas is risky business and your right to fly will ultimately have
nothing to do with YOUR ownership of the property, but with the people who
own the adjacent property.
   Personally, I wouldn't recommend obligating yourself (by buying) unless
you could get at least 25+ acres, and even then, you'd have to be sure that
it's generally rectangular in size and then map out your runways so you
don't have to overfly adjacent property. And even THEN, you still have the
problem of crashing off-property, so your neighbors are still going to
affect your daily operations.
   There's a club somewhere around Houston that bought their own 50 acre
flying site and I've heard that even they have to keep their neighbor happy.
If someone were to cause significant damage, or worse yet, hit someone on
the neighbors property, that club would be history (as a model flying site).

MJC

> > pavilion has anybody delt with what is required to fly over adjacent
> > property?
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> over, helps to diffuse the noise issue as well.  Might even get a new
> person flying in the end.
C.O.Jones - 19 May 2004 16:31 GMT
>     Nobody owns the airspace, but that's not what will get the club
> grounded. All the owner of the adjacent property has to do is to register a
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> If someone were to cause significant damage, or worse yet, hit someone on
> the neighbors property, that club would be history (as a model flying site).

Just on a side note.  When I was considering building a flying site on my
property I did some calculations.  I figured a 400 foot runway with all
flying off either end and to one side with the pits on the other side.
Through tests it was determined that a typical modeler could see a typical
model well enough to control it to a range of about 1/4 mile.  Drawn out we
have a rough semi circle representing a 1/4 mile overflight off each end and
to one side of the 400 foot runway.  Consideration was given for approaches
and departures straying to the pit side of center and we calculated some 83
acres were needed to make this happen.  And that is if the property is
shaped perfectly to the needs of flying.  Just food for thought.

And BTW, my eyes are 20/10.  I have reports of my models overflying my house
and barn some 3/8 mile away.  The horses don't seem to mind but for safety
sake, I'm looking at another 100 acres and will move the flying field this
winter.

Chuck
Lyman Slack - 19 May 2004 12:29 GMT
It's called permission -- in writing :-)

Cheers --  \__________Lyman Slack_________/
                 \______AMA6430 IMAA1564___/
                   \____Flying Gators R/C______/
                     \__Gainesville FL _________/
  Visit my Web Site at: http://www.LymanSlack.com

> Considering buying 6 acres of land to fly off of.  Parking, runway,
> pavilion has anybody delt with what is required to fly over adjacent
> property?
>
> Phil
Bill - 19 May 2004 17:13 GMT
The old "Nobody owns the air" argument doesn't apply here. The adjacent
property owners CAN prevent you from flying over their property. They can
certainly prevent you from recovering a plane on their property also. A
video of flying activities with sound goes a long way in a court room. You
might want to use AMA's flying field assistance program. We got a lot of
useful information from them. Dealing with a single land owner would be a
lot easier than dealing with a group.
Good Luck
Bill

> Considering buying 6 acres of land to fly off of.  Parking, runway,
> pavilion has anybody delt with what is required to fly over adjacent
> property?
>
> Phil
quietguy - 20 May 2004 01:38 GMT
Some other things to consider.  What are the future possible uses of the
adjoining land?

Raising deer?  Certainly wouldn't want bloody planes buzzing around them

Raising sheep?  Wouldn't want planes buzzing around at lambing time.

Operating a cattle stud?  Who is going to be the brave person who fronts a
bloody big bull to retrieve their plane?

Breeding dogs?  MMmmm they may not appreciate strangers on 'their' property

Growing veges or flowers?  Owners might not want people stomping over their
crops

Kids riding horses or bikes?  I wouldn't want planes over the top of my kids

Kids operating remote control cars?  Mmmm could be some problems there, and
you can't shoo them away from their own land

I guess there are many other options - the point is the owners of adjoining
land have the right to use their land (as the law may allow) as they see fit
- and if it interfers with your flying then bad luck, for you.

David

> The old "Nobody owns the air" argument doesn't apply here. The adjacent
> property owners CAN prevent you from flying over their property. They can
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> >
> > Phil
Doug McLaren - 20 May 2004 17:47 GMT
| Raising deer?  Certainly wouldn't want bloody planes buzzing around them

The deer that frequent out field don't seem to care, unless you get
within 30 or so feet of them.

| Operating a cattle stud?  Who is going to be the brave person who fronts a
| bloody big bull to retrieve their plane?

Retrieving a lost plane is really a different issue than flying
overhead.  It doesn't happen often (hopefully) and you may even be
willing to consider the plane `lost'.  Perhaps the land owner would be
happy if he got to keep anything lost over his property?  (Or could
sell it back to you?  Best to negotiate that sort of thing first
though.)

People do lose things in other people's property all the time.  Ever
accidently thrown a frisbee or ball in somebody else's yard?
Technically I guess it's tresspassing even if you don't retrieve it,
but hopefully your neighbors aren't so uncool.

Of course, a ball can break a window, but a plane could do more damage
than that, and that's the real concern.

| Breeding dogs?  MMmmm they may not appreciate strangers on 'their' property

Really, you should get permission from the land owner before
retrieving your plane.  If there's a problem, the land owner should
retrieve it for you.

You could negotiate a $20 (or whatever) fee for every plane retrieved
from the land owner's property.  They might find that makes up for the
inconvenience :)

| Kids riding horses or bikes?  I wouldn't want planes over the top of my kids

Flying over people is a bad idea in any event, be they kids or adults,
friendly or hostile.

| Kids operating remote control cars?  Mmmm could be some problems there, and
| you can't shoo them away from their own land

The only problems I see are the ones regarding flying over people.
Unless they're using 27 mhz and so are you, or they're (illegally)
using 72 mhz equipment ...

| I guess there are many other options - the point is the owners of adjoining
| land have the right to use their land (as the law may allow) as they see fit
| - and if it interfers with your flying then bad luck, for you.

Invite them to join your club for free.  Provide them with a plane if
you're so inclined, or let them fly yours (on a buddy box) ...

Signature

Doug McLaren, dougmc@frenzy.com
`Do not look into laser with remaining eye' -WPI laser lab

C.O.Jones - 20 May 2004 18:33 GMT
> Kids riding horses or bikes?  I wouldn't want planes over the top of my kids

Horses can be tricky.  The best horse can suddenly spook for the strangest
of reasons.  When in the herd they seem to tolerate and get use to the noise
rather quickly.  But under rider something like a model can suddenly turn a
nice trail ride into a harrowing and deadly experience.  To see how they
would respond was one of the reasons I let a field go in on my property.
And because of that is one of the reasons I'm going to move the field a bit
further away.
The Natural Philosopher - 20 May 2004 02:08 GMT
> The old "Nobody owns the air" argument doesn't apply here. The adjacent
> property owners CAN prevent you from flying over their property. They can
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> Good Luck
> Bill

To paraphrase an old schoolmatser I once had..

"anyone has teh right to overfly anyone elses property, and they have
the right to take a 12 gauge to the model if it does"

>>Considering buying 6 acres of land to fly off of.  Parking, runway,
>>pavilion has anybody delt with what is required to fly over adjacent
>>property?
>>
>>Phil
Six_O'Clock_High - 20 May 2004 06:25 GMT
SNIP

> To paraphrase an old schoolmatser I once had..
>
> "anyone has teh right to overfly anyone elses property, and they have
> the right to take a 12 gauge to the model if it does"

SNIP

Please try that and let us know what color your prison cloths are.
The Natural Philosopher - 21 May 2004 10:08 GMT
> SNIP
>
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Please try that and let us know what color your prison cloths are.

Huh? Its been done...

You are allowed to shoot game over your own prpoperty. 'Sorry ossifer, I
thought it was a pigeon'
Six_O'Clock_High - 20 May 2004 06:29 GMT
Others (Dave Thompson's remarks are on target) have given you good advice,
however make sure that you have enough 'buffer' room in the over flight NOT
to get noise complaints in the future.  Be a real PITA if you had to shut
down operations because some little old lady complained to the authorities
enough times about those noisy little toy airplanes...

Remember, you need the overfly and recovery rights AND enough buffer area to
protect the sound.  If that is not available, consider not purchasing it.

> Considering buying 6 acres of land to fly off of.  Parking, runway,
> pavilion has anybody delt with what is required to fly over adjacent
> property?
>
> Phil
pcoopy - 20 May 2004 14:41 GMT
Phil,
Just a note about your own personal flying field: I had my own in
VA...30+ acres with plenty of over fly.  At first I flew with more
vigor and frequency than a honeymooner, but after a while I missed
flying with the folks at the club field.  Eventually I only used it
occasionally to test a model and even then it usually needed mowing
first. I would not invest in that much real property again for that
purpose.

Phil AMA609

> Considering buying 6 acres of land to fly off of.  Parking, runway,
> pavilion has anybody delt with what is required to fly over adjacent
> property?
>
> Phil
 
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