[smuzz]

Is there an official policy - either from us or from the council - regarding motorcycles and quadbikes in that area?

I went down to the field from 3pm to 5pm yesterday (Sunday), because I really wanted to maiden a new aircraft before the holidays. Around 4:30pm, three motorcycles and a quadbike showed up, and proceeded to tear up and down the runway. I talked to the one who looked like "Dad" (some of the others were only little tykes on little bikes), and asked him to at least keep off the runway, and they mostly avoided it afterwards, but I didn't know what the rules were in regards to them being there in the first place.

Unless council have rules against it and are willing to enforce them, I can't see us doing much to keep the bikes out. The guy seemed genuinely surprised to find out that the mowed strips were runways.

Yes Andre - there is a Council policy regarding the use of quads, trikes and motor-bikes. Essentially, it's illegal and yet there's quite a number of incidents each year which frustrate us. Council rangers occasionally patrol (there were a couple watching our Xmas party event) but I think they know that their current level of commitment isn't enough to stop it completely.

Thanks anyway, for having a word to yesterday's visitors - it's about all we can do, in most cases.

Personally, I wouldn't like to see a "no fly alone" rule instituted. What Wayne said about safety holds at all times of course, but personally I do not believe it's dangerous enough to warrant a rule. SCUBA comes to mind as an example of something that should never be done without backup, but I just don't think flying RC planes is quite in that category. The pilot is looking at the plane the whole time (hopefully!), and the chances of flying directly into one's self are rather remote. Even then, the pilot would have to be extremely unfortunate to be incapacitated beyond the ability to call for help.

In some ways I'm more worried when there are lots of people present - for example that HK event at PEMAC a few weeks ago. An entire sideline was filled with human bodies, all the way along. Had any of those massive helis or hotliners lost control and flown to a particular side, they'd have chewed up somebody.

All good arguments!

Yesterday, the worst part was the heat. I went through 2L of water in 2h and I still felt thirsty. The covering looked like it had melted off the balsa frame.

Water is only useful up to a point - then you need to head home for a few beers!