Topside road location?

[Big Al]

I saw a place off Topside rd. on my way to my daughters swim meet that looked like it might make a good flying spot at least for belly landers. Got off Pellissippi and took a right and the place was down a ways on the left. It looked like a big open grass field by the lake w/ a walking trail around it and a picnic area. Anybody ever flown here?

Regards,
Alan

[Wash Out]

Sorry I couldn't get it to post the actual map for some reason I'm not sure but if this is the place you were talking about but I think it is too close to McGhee Tyson. If you click on the link and scroll down or zoom out you can see the airport.

[Big Al]

I think you are right. What are the regs about distance from an airport?

Regards,
Alan

[Wash Out]

I think as long as you stay under 500 ft you are "O.K." but it would scare me 

[Flying_fox]

I dont know any specific regulation governing that, but according to the full scale aviation sectional chart, in that  location  McGee Tysons controlled air space starts at the surface, so its probably not the best place to be.

[Wash Out]

Thats kinda what I figured 

[gittarpikk]

This is a very good location and I have done some investigating

One person (used to be a member of BCMA) told me that belonged to the City of Alcoa...and was possibly obtainable...and another told me it was Louisville...and he knew who to approach.. I have had experience in this  and aquired the first fields for the old Twin City Model Airplane club (circa 1970's) and the first field for BCMA as well as being the first person to approach the county and discussed the present county dump field.

It is a goal of mine to create a park fliers only club field in Blount County..

I will be following up on this as well as several other fields I know of in the BC area. I think since there is already a field in southwest Maryville tand a new one in East, that West or North West would be best locations

It was brought up by the informant that the airport is persnickity about the under 3 mile distance with the frequencies and would object....so best to find something outside that area...

[aston70]

Hey gittarpikk, how's the arm? Sorry for the off-topic....

[Kerbob]

Welcome to the forum Gittarpikk.  I know your arm was good enough to fly the PBF around last night!    It was good to meet you and glad you're assimilated by WestKnoxRC.

[gittarpikk]

Welcome to the forum Gittarpikk.  I know your arm was good enough to fly the PBF around last night!    It was good to meet you and glad you're assimilated by WestKnoxRC.

Hey thanks for letting me fly it....it was a blast...first time I;ve ever hovered..

I gotta built one, and am going to try my hand at designing a version of my own . May create a larger version of my Streak with 1mm or 2 mm depron or a cross of the two planes  I have a low kv motor $5.95 that might work great for this....

May even go with a center mounted motor (slot in wing) and a parkjet looking design.


The "arm" comment was what happened a couple months ago when I stupidly left plane on a table(not starting table that had wing chocks) and armed..and tried to flip transmitter over and flip a servo rev switch...accidentally hit throttle to WO and to stop it I dropped my uncovered arm onto prop thinking I was hitting the wing...laid it completely open . about 4 inch long and 1/2 inch deep. I used field first aid kit to get me stable and went home , cleaned it and used tape stiches... did a good job and no nerves or veins cut...real lucky.


Bought a new full compliment First aid for my car.......something EVERYONE should do flying any plane.

[gittarpikk]

Hey gittarpikk, how's the arm? Sorry for the off-topic....

didn't know I had reply till today.... arm is OK got a scar...but all is well. Thanks for the concern and help.

Had a blast at the KCRC indoor fly in .... Dan is tha' Man!  super cool micro planes and fly really well...Immaculate construction

Couple guys had some pizza box planes and were a blast to fly...and I really think it would be hard to hurt em....thanks to the EPP construction.  Everyone had a good time....and many guys would ask if you wanted to fly their plane....something you don;t see at the field much.

[Komet ME163]

I have flown at this location a few times, pZ wildcat and beast micro, no problems with airspace at tys. No problems from anybody.

[gittarpikk]

I have flown at this location a few times, pZ wildcat and beast micro, no problems with airspace at tys. No problems from anybody.

  I agree....actually I think the hills on the airport side are about 300 feet high ...and at 500 AG you would only be 200 feet above the actual terrain. Landings at TYS most always are on the NE-SW runways which puts only a very close-in downwind pattern anywhere near close to that site. most parkflyers are small and would have to been flown at less than 500 ' to be visible...unless you were flying a sailplane which would be the only light weigh plane that one would fly there that would venture anywhere close to those altitudes.

  Its a great "prevailing wind protected" site for true park fliers.

[Kerbob]

I know there are some AMA rules regarding flying around airports; and I'm sure some FAA ones as well.  Don't quote me, but I think its like a 3 mile restriction from AMA.  This field is 1.5miles from the airport as the crow flies.

[EricJ320]

I know there are some AMA rules regarding flying around airports; and I'm sure some FAA ones as well.  Don't quote me, but I think its like a 3 mile restriction from AMA.  This field is 1.5miles from the airport as the crow flies.

Actually the AMA just adopted the FAA Advisory Circular 91-57 as the rules it sets for their members.  Though an Advisory Circular is not regulatory in nature, it may as well be.  At the end of the day, if something went wrong, and you were found to be in violation of the AC, you will be held accountable. 

What's more important about this location, it lies within Class C airspace.   Within a 5 nautical mile ring of TYS Class C airspace extends from the surface up to 4,000 ft above the ground.  Technically, to operate any aircraft within that airspace you must have two way radio communication with air traffic control.  Even AC 91-57 advises you need to notify the tower if you will be operating within 3 miles even if it isn't within Class C airspace.  Just because you haven't had a problem doesn't mean it's ok, I'm fairly certain ATC or the FAA wouldn't be too happy about you flying at this site.

Now, having said all that, I don't think you would ever encounter a problem, or be run off by any official, especially if you only flew very small models.  I personally wouldn't fly there, and would advise against it just to be safe.  Keep in mind, this is all likely to change this summer when the FAA releases their Notice of Proposed Rule Making that will possibly change the guidelines in AC 91-57, and almost certainly will make them regulatory.  Pushing the limits, or violating, AC 91-57 won't help our cause in keeping the rules changes easy on us, and why so many people got very upset with Trappy and his NYC FPV video.