flying legalities

[melvinsarmy]

My friend asked me if I'm going to need to fly my helicopter in specific flying fields. I never thought of that question. Are there any legal issues concerning where you fly your helicopter? Obviously I'm not going to be buzzing down the streets here in downtown Jersey City, but I'm just wondering if John Law will have anything to say if he sees me in a random open space. I saw one heli flying in a big empty parking lot by a busy road, didn't seem to be any problem. I know I can't fly at Liberty State Park because nothing R/C is allowed in there, not even Toys R Us type monster trucks. But, that's because of security issues with the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

I'm looking for a flying field and/or club in northern New Jersey, but until I find one I'll just probably be trying big power line and street light free spaces. Anything I need to know about this?

[ThBrtmn]

I dont know the area but if you can find a school with a soccer field that doesnt have a problem with you flying then you should be ok. To fly at club fields you will need to get an AMA membership which is 58$ a year. This has an insurance on it that covers mishaps as long as you are flying safe at a sanctioned field but also only works secondary to homeowners insurance. AMA has the market on this insurance so we have to have them to fly at events as well. You can go onto the AMA site to find a club in your area that is sanctioned too...
http://modelaircraft.org/templates/ama/

As far as the law...they usually think its cool...if your not in a RC restricted area or flying in a tight spot that might endanger others.

[DanW]

Also just a note you don't have to be at a sanctioned field to be covered as long as you are not operating the heli in reckless manner. But as Bart said it is a secondary insurance if you have homeowners. If you don't have homeowners such as renting then it would act as your primary.

Thanks
Dan