Flying

We have two runways, shaded work tables, and safety fencing to make flying as enjoyable as possible. 

We are happy to assist anyone in learning to fly RC planes.  Instructors and training planes are available to pilot wanabees. We use two transmitters that are connected wirelessly so that the trainer can take control of the plane if the student gets into trouble.  We will make recommendations to those interested in buying their own planes. 

Saturday mornings often find us honing our aerial combat (dog fights), glider competition and landing-closest-to-target skills and more!

During the Winter season, we are planning on some fun flying events for both novice and experienced pilots. These Fun Fly Days will be on the second Saturday of the month starting at 10 AM.

2/23/2024

Greetings Flyers!

Message concerning FAA remote ID requirements at the Ranch.

as of 8/30/2023

Model Aviators,

This is an update on recent FAA actions and FRIA status.  I’m sending it to all club members, so everyone has the data.

Ed Brumfield and I compiled all the information for our application and Ed filed for FRIA status for our field through Flite Test as the sponsoring CBO.  The FAA has started releasing approval information and status for FRIA applications.  This week, we learned that we were denied our FRIA status.  As best we can tell, because we are on private property and a private club.  It seems that many clubs in our situation have also been denied.  Both Casa Grande RC Club and our friends at AZ City Flyers have been approved.

Implications

There is a lot of noise from our local antagonist.  As I’ve said before, please ignore him.  Most importantly, our field is not in jeopardy.  We can still fly there in accordance with FAA guidelines with a remote ID module installed.  This will be effective September 16th , 2023. There are several modules that have been approved by the FAA and will be available before the deadline.   Both Horizon Hobbies (a Spectrum module) and Flite Test are in the mix as well as others.  Horizon Hobbies is taking pre-orders now for the Spektrum SkyID Remote Module SPMA 9500 (cost is $99.99 with a $30 discount for pre-orders).  I talked to Flite Test today and they are gearing up for orders soon for their remote ID broadcast module called the Flite Test EZ ID (cost is  $109.99).  As with any major change requiring new hardware, I’m sure there will be some supply chain hick-ups along the way.  Both modules are small and can be easily moved from one plane to another.

Additional ID module information:

Horizon Hobby:  Spektrum SkyID Remote ID Module | Horizon Hobby

Flite Test: Press Release: Flite Test EZ Remote Identification | Flite Test,   Flite Test

Closing Summary

As much as I hate to say it, we were denied our FRIA status at Robson Ranch.  Again, our airfield is not in jeopardy.  However, this does mean that you MUST have a remote ID module installed in the aircraft as of September 16th, 2023 at Robson Ranch.   Modules will be available from Spectrum (Horizon Hobbies) and from Flight Test.  If you wish to fly without a module, I highly recommend joining the club at Arizona City (the AZ City Flyers).  Please contact Lon Lyford directly at 520-705-0235 for membership details.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email me directly.

Henry Morgan

Flight Director

503-860-1211
nagrom.henry@gmail.com 

March 29, 2022 - Note from Flight Director

A quick reminder that AMA membership is now required to fly at our airfield effective April 15th.    We are adding your AMA info to the main club membership roster.  I have found that I can verify your membership on the AMA website with your membership and last name.  If not done so yet, please email me your membership number.  

A good thing to do is obtain an FAA registration for your aircraft.  Simply go to the FAA website and register under the "I fly under The Exception for Recreational Flyers" tab.  The cost is $5 and one registration covers all your planes.  The FAA considers all UAS craft drones. 

 The link is:  FAADroneZone

It will soon be required to pass the safety test as well.  You can do so through the AMA website.  They have a short training bit with the questions mixed.  Should take you 20 minutes or so to complete.   Hey, I got 100% right, can't be that hard!   The link is: 

The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) | THE RECREATIONAL UAS SAFETY TEST (TRUST) TEST by AMA (modelaircraft.org)

General Safety Notes

Our airfield has been over flown by full scale planes.  Remember, they have the right of way.  Even if they are in the wrong, they still have the right of way.  You must get your plane down if you see them in our airspace.  I have added a white X at the end of each runway to signify that these are closed runways.  Even so, you must yield the right of way to full scale aircraft.  

We will be adding a couple of fire extinguishers,a  metal bucket, and some trash bags at the field to use in crashes.  Crashes can cause battery or motor fires and sometimes you just need to bag up a plane.  

Comments or suggestions, please let me know. 

Regards,

Henry Morgan, Flying Director

Cell: 503-860-1211

AMA# 1208284