Which models are suitable to fly at Indoor Aviation venues ?
Can I fly my model at Indoor Aviation? The answer to that depends on three things:
1) What size is it and what speed does it fly at?
2) How much of a danger does it represent to other aircraft or spectators?
3) How well do you have it under control?
Indoor Aviation aims to be as relaxed as possible but there are some basic rules designed to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all.
It is easy to understand the restrictions if you understand the intent of Indoor Aviation. It is to provide an opportunity to practise the craft and science of indoor flight that require a specialised venue.
Nearly all model helicopters can be flown effectively in readily available spaces while aircraft of “park flier” size are too large and fast for indoor flight. Indoor Aviation was created to cater for delicate free flight aircraft, micro-class radio control and micro-class rotor craft where the emphasise is on small size or slow flight not aerobatic capacity.
There are no rigid rules and the safety officer, or in their absence another committee member, has absolute discretion on the day as to whether you may fly or not. This may involve restricting times to when no other aircraft are flying or a demonstration of flight proficiency.
For simplicity of assessment, and as a guideline, 1 cell LiPo power up to 350mAh or a 2 cell system using 160mAh cells is eligible. It is recognised that this is a crude test but with current technology and available commercial products it is judged simple enough and adequate. Most current micro systems are designed to maximise efficiency and flight time not speed or power. It is not the intention to stifle experimentation or alternative systems but larger electric systems or arrangements which maximise power availability can only be flown be at the Safety Officer’s discretion.
For now, other types of aircraft (e.g. the larger helicopters typically sold in shopping malls) cannot be flown at all unless a day has been specifically organised for them. It is possible in the future we may have a separate venue for different sizes of aircraft.
1) What size is it and what speed does it fly at?
2) How much of a danger does it represent to other aircraft or spectators?
3) How well do you have it under control?
Indoor Aviation aims to be as relaxed as possible but there are some basic rules designed to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all.
It is easy to understand the restrictions if you understand the intent of Indoor Aviation. It is to provide an opportunity to practise the craft and science of indoor flight that require a specialised venue.
Nearly all model helicopters can be flown effectively in readily available spaces while aircraft of “park flier” size are too large and fast for indoor flight. Indoor Aviation was created to cater for delicate free flight aircraft, micro-class radio control and micro-class rotor craft where the emphasise is on small size or slow flight not aerobatic capacity.
There are no rigid rules and the safety officer, or in their absence another committee member, has absolute discretion on the day as to whether you may fly or not. This may involve restricting times to when no other aircraft are flying or a demonstration of flight proficiency.
For simplicity of assessment, and as a guideline, 1 cell LiPo power up to 350mAh or a 2 cell system using 160mAh cells is eligible. It is recognised that this is a crude test but with current technology and available commercial products it is judged simple enough and adequate. Most current micro systems are designed to maximise efficiency and flight time not speed or power. It is not the intention to stifle experimentation or alternative systems but larger electric systems or arrangements which maximise power availability can only be flown be at the Safety Officer’s discretion.
For now, other types of aircraft (e.g. the larger helicopters typically sold in shopping malls) cannot be flown at all unless a day has been specifically organised for them. It is possible in the future we may have a separate venue for different sizes of aircraft.
