Whoo! ST Forum - Flying model aircraft may pose danger

[Sunstorm]

Saw this in ST forums. Holland road flyers better start finding your MP to protect your field now!

Flying model aircraft may pose danger

I WISH to highlight the danger of flying petrol-powered model aircraft on the state land along Holland Road North between Blackmore Drive (where Methodist Girls' School is) and Brizay Park.
This piece of land is large and well-maintained. Nearby residents frequent the place, especially in the morning and evening, to enjoy a walk or exercise.

A group of model aircraft enthusiasts use this land for their flying activities. They regularly park illegally along Holland Road North while enjoying their hobby.

Some of these aircraft are powered by flammable fuel. The flying is nice, for both controllers and spectators. However, I am deeply concerned about the safety not only of these fans, but also passers-by, vehicles along this stretch of Holland Road North and houses nearby.

The aircraft controllers fly them in various patterns and speeds, similar to what we see in movies and TV programmes. Should the aircraft accidentally collide and explode, the consequence could be serious.

Holland Road North has got busier, and is often used by heavy vehicles serving the construction sites nearby. Illegal parking escalates the danger of using this stretch of road.

I urge the authorities to take appropriate action to prevent a serious accident.

Goh Kia Seng
Straits Times Forum Page 13th of September

[johndyl]

oh boy... these may affect other areas too........

[ebpwu]

i guess with the recent police turn out and forum writer old holland road will now be a hot spot for authoritities frequent the place...

[CCx4]

The writer probably stays in the big houses there and is pissed with the noisy engines. He probably is the same one who called the cops too when they visited as reported by another bro here.

They have some bargaining power, the residents staying in this area. Even the garment has to watch how they handle the case.

Pray hard all bros who fly here. It may be one piece of land which will see a sign board up soon.

[membina]

this guy is primarily concerned about nitro equipment. maybe using electric may appease that fellow somewhat.

[johndyl]

actually... come to think of it..

a flyer is more likely to accidentally "kill" or injure a fellow flyer than a passerby or spectator. most of the incidents that occured have all involved flyers only

[Sunstorm]

Really? In what sense? About killing fellow flyers that is.

[johndyl]

Really? In what sense? About killing fellow flyers that is.

well firstly we are always there..so exposure is already mulitples higher than any spectator or passerby

secondly when we are flying, we normally only look at ur own planes or helis... so situation awareness is really v v low... if a flyer beside u were to crash his heli/plane towards us... we will be the last to know. and i am sure we have all witnessed our share of pilots zooming their planes under our helis or planes etc. not that it is on purpose, but sometimes, it just happens.

3rdly, we are usually much closer to the action(well mostly helis because planes can go really FAR)... so if anything were to happen, it will hit us first.


on a side note, newer flyers really need the guidance of the more experienced guys to have proper safety when flying these 'toys'. gungho doesnt pay in RC flying, u'll only end up paying

[X34]

Hmm...didn't realise there are "petrol-powered aircraft" flying in that vicinity.

The writer sounds like a very selfish person, he should consider avoiding that place whilst others are enjoying their aircraft. He is really duh! He is attempting to stop people from flying so that he can enjoy that place. It is state land, he can go somewhere else.

I will go there on Saturday morning to run-in my engines without muffler if they stop flying there.

[Sobakawa]

Writer is a main shareholder of New E*on L*ne company...

[mave]

Parking issues:
Personally, I feel that the location of the parking is the greatest problem.
In one direction, the cars are coming down a hill and will usually pick up speed and from the other direction(coming from the school end), the cars are approaching a S-bent. And with the fliers cars park there, it create a choking point.

So, maybe the fliers there may consider leaving some gaps between park cars so that moving vehicles coming from either direction can make use of the gap to give way to the vehicles coming from the opposite direction.

Taking care of the place:
From my observation, I also notice that some fliers have the habbits of putting their equipments and planes on the sidewalk, this create inconvenient and safety hazard to joggers who need to side-steps away from the pavement to avoid hitting the equipments left lying on the ground.
On the walkway, the pedestrians have the right of way, so there is no point arguing when the joggers do accidentally step on your expensive equipment.


Anyway, my point here is that if we would to exercise a bit of thought and consideration for others, we would make this a much enjoyable and sustainable hobby. If we can be smart enough to make those heli tic-tocs in the sky and build those nice planes that defies gravity, I don't think it will be difficult for us to spare a thought for others. What do you guys think?

i guess with the recent police turn out and forum writer old holland road will now be a hot spot for authoritities frequent the place...

[Yves]

Hi Guys,
I personally fly there...it’s actually the only place I’d been flying for the past year.

for me the biggest issue is the parking....Its true that when u have lots of cars along the road its very inconvenient and unfortunately i don't think leaving some gaps between park cars will solve the problem......

For the safety issue.
I know few flying fields (Punggol, Bk Batok, tuas, woodlands) and for me OHR is the safest one......no road in front, not lots of people working or running around the field, big space...... and in an event of a crash the bird will most properly fall in the middle of the field....

As for Mr. GOH on his 'aircraft accidentally collide and explode' issue, I think he been watching to much the 'national geography channel' the past few days......and will be please to teach him how nitro engine work and how safe the technology is these days….

Yves

[ebpwu]

I guess the next nearest alternative is to go to the bbafc flying club at bukit batok, since there are also news that old holland road has already been sold to a private developer recently. The place will eventually be closed up too.

Still, a few small electric park flyers wouldn't create much 'real' noise that can upset the residents there.

[johndyl]

I guess the next nearest alternative is to go to the bbafc flying club at bukit batok, since there are also news that old holland road has already been sold to a private developer recently. The place will eventually be closed up too.

Still, a few small electric park flyers wouldn't create much 'real' noise that can upset the residents there.

bbafc need membership to fly there hor.. and the pl is not that big... so cant cater to a large exodus of flyers

[Sunstorm]

Latest Comments - can someone defend us

Comments:

I refer to the letter on ‘Flying model aircraft may pose danger’ posted on 13th Sept. I also have known the model aircraft flying frequently around the mentioned area for a long while. I am also very concern about such activity in the area. First, I am aware that one needs licensing to fly such models. I thought one of the points about licensing is to regulate. But if one can fly in any urbanised areas, then what is the purpose of licensing flying model aircraft? I also agree that the enthusiasts should not park their vehicles illegally there. Second, I am aware that the mentioned Holland area has frequent low flying light aircraft as well as helicopters. Would the unregulated model aircraft in any way interfere with the flying of other aircraft? I am worried about my built up neighbourhood when we are sitting at home or at school, should any accidents of falling aircraft landed on our surrounding buildings. I think public safety is paramount over individual hobbies.
Posted by: awujanto at Thu Sep 13 12:18:35 SGT 2007


nagstraits, I think it's just his favourite illegal parking slot ... which has been taken over by those hobbyists.
Posted by: Lobo1976 at Thu Sep 13 12:18:13 SGT 2007


Perhaps the writer could not enjoy model aircraft flying hobby.. may be he can't afford it..!! so out of jeolousy he has written a letter asking the 'authorities' to look into it. He is trying to project as though he found out a serious security threat (which our security officers failed to do it!!). Must be a clown..!!
Posted by: nagstraits at Thu Sep 13 12:06:57 SGT 2007


I agree with Mr. Goh on this issue. Firstly the cars are parked illegally and on the weekends the line of cars may stretch from the entrance to Brizay Park all the way to just outside MGS. That's the entire stretch of blackmore road! Secondly, these flyers also leave behind an unsightly mess of rubbish (spare parts, drink cans, fuel cans, unfinished food). Thirdly, they hog the entire width of the pavement with their foldable chairs, planes, equipment & give nasty stares at joggers who utilise the footpath. A very indecent bunch of people! Posted by: alphaoasis at Thu Sep 13 10:27:50 SGT 2007