WOODSETTS ROAD FLYING FIELD. THE CENTRE OF OUR ACTIVITIES SINCE 1967.
EXCELLENT FACILITIES ON YOUR DOOR STEP, BUT NOT WITHOUT DRAWBACKS!
The location and size of our field restricts our activities and calls for some special thought. The size and nature of our models must be planned. Models must be able to operate safely within the rules, from the facilities we have available. There are housing estates within a few hundred yards. Where there are houses there are people who may not like the sound of model aircraft engines. Those who walk in the country, the woods, or visit conservation areas may have similar feelings. It is therefore within our interest to reduce noise levels in any way we can. Noise levels can be lowered by effective silencing. Running engines at lower RPM by using large diameter, course pitch propellers and buying engines that will cope with heavy loads, will reduce noise at source. However with the development of electric power many of the noise issues are solved. Once the model is airborne, fly within the designated areas. Be conscious of the effect wind strength and direction can blow your model off course and may be towards people and building like the Butterfly House. This should be avoided at all cost even if it means grounding your model before it causes trouble.
We also have to maintain our field by cutting the runways. The grass cutter rota is distributed early in the year so those members who volunteer can take it in turns to cut the runways once a week though the growing season. We have a email address of members@nasa.org to tell others, if, when it is your turn you are likely to be cutting the runways in normal flying times. Take advantage of the club house facilities, a cup of tea or coffee, a warm on those wintry days and always time for discussion. We have much to be grateful for and all worth protecting. Let us enjoy our sport together.
WITHOUT OUR FLYING FIELD THERE WOULD BE NO CLUB – HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED WHAT IT MIGHT BE LIKE?
Those who have been lucky enough to use the club facilities since they started model flying, have missed the expeditions to distant flying sites around the country. The journey is spent hoping that the weather will be good enough to fly, but on arrival all you can do is sit in the car watching the trees bending in the wind. The weather may be good, but leaving some vital spare part at home, or having some mishap with your model on the first flight, and, then having to face the thirty-mile journey home with nothing on your mind but the daunting task of repairs when you get there. There are those who need to fit wheels to their model boxes because their flying field requires a half mile walk from the car park to the pit area. Others need to telephone the airfield security gate and register their car days before arriving. Some clubs have to share their site with other activities, which may restrict model flying to a few weekends each year, negotiating some safety rules each time they fly. Herding sheep or cattle away from the landing strip can be time consuming, animals tend to be inconsiderate and too inquisitive. Some clubs use several sites in rotation making it impossible to provide club house facilities or mown runways.
None of this at NASA but there are rules. A copy of the safety map is available in the clubhouse.
