Why don’t some of us fly models with IC engines?

ian1954 Thu Feb 07, 2013 11:08 am

Why don’t some of us fly models with IC engines?

It is evident that from some parties there is a subdued animosity to those that do not run engines to their fullest and at every opportunity.

In the 60’s and 70’s this would not have been the case and aeromodelling was a popular and widespread pastime.

I have several theories on the demise of this hobby and how the demise accelerated:-

1. The invention of home gaming machines – Sinclair ZX Spectrum, Commodore Vic20 and 64, Atari 400 and 800 through to the beasts of the present day.
2. The increase in TV channels and introduction of 24 hour viewing.
3. The removal of craft workshops in schools – woodwork and metal work.
4. The rise of Health and Safety for the sake of it.
5. The vast increase in bureaucrats, bureaucratic nonsense together with unproductive jobsworths.
6. The replacement of common sense, courtesy and politeness with enforceable written rules and byelaws.

(Yes, I can be what is known as “an angry old man”)

The “byelaws” are specific to certain areas and classifications of land. I live in a London Borough ( City suburb ) and this Borough is perhaps amongst the greenest in London.

There are three classifications:-

1. Commons:-

Barnes Reservoir
Beaufort Court Playground
Beveree, Hampton
Buccleuch Gardens
Church Road Playground, Teddington
Gothic Gardens (part)
Cholmondely Walk
Ham Lands (part)
Ham Village Green (part)
Hampton Nursery Lands, District Park
Hampton Nursery Lands, Five Acre Park
Hampton Nursery Lands, One Acre Park
Holly Hedge Field
Holly Road Garden of Rest
Hounslow Heath Open Space
King Georges Field. Ham
Melancholy Walk, Ham
Midhurst Gardens, Richmond (part)
Mortlake Green
Mortlake Terrace Gardens
Palewell Fields
Petersham Copse
Petersham Lodge Grounds
Queen Elizabeth Field, Ham
Russels Allotments
Sandy Lane Playground
St. Albans, Hampton
Suffolk Road Recreation Ground
Tangier Green
Tapestry Court, Mortlake
The Avenues, Ham
The Avenues, Petersham
Broom Road Playground
Grove Gardens
Church Road Playground, Teddington
Queen Elizabeth Walk, Barnes
Hatherop Road Playing Field
Heathfield
Kneller Gardens
Moormead
Palewell Fields
Tangier Green

2. Pleasure grounds and open spaces

Bell Hill Recreation Ground
Bridge Gardens
Broom Road Playground
Cambourne Path
Cambridge Gardens
Carlisle Park
Castelnau Recreation Ground
Crane Park
Devonshire Lodge
Fulwell Park
Garrick Lawn
Gothic Gardens (part)
Grove Gardens
Grove Road Pleasure Ground
Ham Lands (part)
Ham Village Green (part)
Hampton Hill Recreation Ground
Hatherop Road Playing Field
Heathfield
Kew Green
Kew Meadows Open Space & Path
Kneller Gardens
Lonsdale Road Plantation
Manor Gardens,Teddington
Manor Road Recreation Ground
Mears Walk
Midhurst Gardens, Richmond (part)
Moormead and Bandy Close
Murray Park
North Sheen Park
Old deer Park
Orleans Gardens
Pest House Common
Petersham Common
Queen Elizabeth Walk, Barnes
Radnor House Gardens
Raleigh Gardens
Richmond Green
Riverdale Gardens
Riverside Drive Open Space
Terrace Field
Terrace Gardens, Hampton
Terrace Gardens, Richmond
Terrace Walk
Town Hall Gardens, Richmond
Twickenham Green
Udney Hall Gardens
Vine Road Recreation Ground
Wades Lane Recreation Ground
Westerley Ware
Worple Way Open Space
York House Gardens

3. Royal Park (has its own Police!), 10 sq. Miles.

Byelaws are here but I have extracted the relevant ones.

http://www.richmond.gov.uk/pdf-bye-laws-2.pdf

BYE-LAWS
RELATING TO COMMONS IN THE BOROUGH

24. A person shall not on the common,
(1) release any power driven model aircraft for flight or control the flight of such an aircraft or,
(2) cause any power driven model aircraft to take off or land on the common.
25. For the purposes of bye-law 24 the expression "model aircraft" means an aircraft which either weighs not more than five kilograms without its fuel or is for the time being exempted (as a model aircraft) from the provisions
of the Air Navigation Orders and the expression "power driven" means driven by the combustion of petrol vapour or other combustible vapour or other combustible substances.
26. Every person who shall offend against any of these bye laws shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds.

BYE-LAWS
RELATING TO PLEASURE GROUNDS AND OPEN SPACES IN THE
BOROUGH

23. A person shall not in the ground except as provided by bye law 24 hereof
(1) release any power driven aircraft for flight or control the flight of such an aircraft;
(11) cause any power-driven model aircraft to take off or land in the ground.

24. where any part of the ground known as the Old Deer Park has, by a notice conspicuously exhibited in the ground, been set apart by the Council for the flying of power-driven model aircraft
(1) no person shall in any other part of the ground
(a) release any power-driven model aircraft for flight or control the flight of
such an aircraft; or
(b) without reasonable excuse cause any power-driven model aircraft to take off or land, in such other part of the ground.
(11) no person shall fly a power-driven model aircraft in any such part of the ground so set apart,
unless---
(a) the aircraft is attached to a control line and kept under effective control;
(b) the noise emitted by the aircraft gives a noise measurement of not more than 82dB (A)at a distance of seven metres from the aircraft measured by the equipment described, and by the method set out, in the Code of Practice issued in pursuance of approval given by the control of noise(Code of Practice on noise from Model Aircraft) Order 1981;
(c) the aircraft is fitted with an effectual silencer or similar device except in
relation to an aircraft to which the fitting of a silencer or similar device is
not practicable.
26. Every person who shall offend against any of these bye laws shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds.
27. Every person who shall infringe any bye law for the regulation of the ground may be removed there from by any officer of the Council, or by any constable, in any one of the several cases hereinafter specified,
that is to say---
(1) Where the infraction of the bye law is committed within the view of such officer or constable, and the name and residence of the person infringing the bye law are unknown to and cannot be readily ascertained by such officer or constable;
(11) Where the infraction of the bye law is committed within the view of such officer or constable, and from the nature of such infraction, or from any other fact of which such officer or constable may have knowledge, or of which he may be credibly informed, there may be reasonable ground for belief that the continuance in the ground of the person infringing the bye law may result in another infraction of the bye law, or that the removal of
such person from the ground is otherwise necessary as a security for the proper use and regulation thereof.

Details for the Royal Park can be seen here:-

http://rpff.org/home/the-field

So back to:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=TtIVNoQixns

John Goddard Fri Feb 08, 2013 9:42 am

Hmmm
I was over Hackney Marshes before the Summer
Talking to an Old Boy.
He looked over towards London's biggest car park
It was the East Marsh since before The Doomsday but
Was now tarmaced over/ 20 soccer pitches size.
He said "can't imagine Hampstead Heath or Richmond
Park being 'regenerated' for a sports event, can you?"

No one I talked to here wanted the Olympics or
Supported it We got it nevertheless

I'm not sure the views of the majority of locals are
Taken into account Ian.
Regardless of where one finds oneself.
Sad

ian1954 Fri Feb 08, 2013 9:54 am

The "Olympics" drove me nuts - The Park had limited access during the pedal pushing events, roads closed, buses stopped running. There were even restrictions on taking the dog to the Park!

Motorbiking to work with lanes dedicated to "Olympic" traffic made detours a necessity!

John Goddard Fri Feb 08, 2013 10:12 am

We had a 10.5 month year last year Ian we had to shut up shop for the 7 weeks.
Genius in a recession!
It's only cos my Partner is a star with dough we stayed afloat.
By co incidence I was sat in Lee Bridge Road from Whipps Cross to Clapton yesterday
afternoon at least 1 in every 4 shops is closed/The Olympics didn't do them
any favours.
Sad

GallopingGhostler Mon Feb 13, 2023 12:02 pm

Reading your post of 10 years ago, @ian1954 reminds me of how western civilization has become with rules for every single "cotton picking thing" as they say in the deep US south. Doh!

You are correct, even simple rules of courtesy and manners, that were taught in homes and schools are a thing of the past. Shocked

Example, a child in a parochial school in Toronto was expelled from school by discussing his Biblical position opposing transgenderism during a classroom discussion. The school officials had local policemen escort him off campus. The child is not a bully or threat to students. Sad

Use a Rubber Band powered model and be sent to jail can seem to predominate in large city parks. I remember even in the 1980's that Long Beach, California parks had signs warning against flying any kind of model airplane. Fortunately I now live in a small rural city, but the local oligarchs are doing their darndest to pass more restrictive laws, like lights not shining upward to disturb the aliens, I guess. Got all the business owners in an uproar. None of the signs throughout the city are a problem to traffic, aircraft, nor aliens.

This is from the new International Building Standards, which doesn't allow the home owner any rights, everything is permitted except items like painting. Licensed professionals are required for nearly everything else. Used to be that a home owner could get a permit. If let's say, he failed inspection a 3rd time, then the city would tell him that they wouldn't inspect again unless he hired a professional. Times are changing.

Makes me wonder what happened to focusing on murderers, rapists, and thieves. Shame on you wicked home owner for not hiring a plumber to replace your sink spigot valve faucet washers. Mad

Hope you and your better half are doing well post Covid, ditto with @John Goddard. Smile

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