Connecticut Flyers: My Norwalk experience today - beware

[Bill Armstrong]

call me. i'm in westport. have some good places for you. 203-904-8115.

 

[mcmmotorsports]

I'm using the know before you fly app and there seems to be a heliport in Norwalk I'm close to. Am I supposed to call them and tell them I'm flying at a park? Seems a little strict and unnecessary?

There are a LOT of heliports. I concern myself with airports. Those heliports, especially those on Route 7, don't have points of contact.

 

[VF88Nomad]

OK, sounds good. Thank you.

 

[looknow12]

I'm in Fairfield County also. Good to hear there are pilots nearby.

 

[RobbyD]

I took my P4 to Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk, CT. Lots of grassy park, a nice beach. It cost $25 just to park there for a day but it gets better. Soon after I lifted off from the park area behind the beach and headed over Long Island Sound for whale watching, a "lifeguard" came up to me and said that I could not "fly over the beach". I questioned that and he said it's a Norwalk rule. I said that I was over the Sound and not the beach and that there is nothing posted about any No Fly Zone. I said that I had to focus on flying not chatting with him. Soon thereafter a "supervisor" drove up in a golf cart and said "no flying here". I repeated what I told his associate and pressed "return to home". I don't want negativity or strife in my life. On the way out I called Norwalk Police. Sgt. Sherry said there is no such prohibition and lots of people fly in that park and over the sound. Said to use his name if that happened again and said that he'd go down there and get them straightened out. NICE.

As to the flight. My 1st over water and at an extended distance. I got 4400 feet max distance from me and I flew at 37 feet. Very strong signal all the way, video and RC. I wanted to be very cautious on my 1st over water at the longest distance from me I've done yet.

On the Return To Home: It was flawless. I set the RTH altitude at 100 feet just in case trees might be in the way. It returned perfectly and landed by itself within 6" of where it took off. Wind about 7 to 10 knots, from the sound to the beach.

My flight was cut short by the strife, but I'll be back Sunday for more Whale Watching. I flew about 12 minutes. The total distance flown was 2.8 miles. Took off with 98% battery and landed with 54%

This area is public with no actual restrictions, airspace or otherwise.

You can see the stats on this flight and look at the map on:


HealthyDrones.com - Innovative flight data analysis that matters

 

[RobbyD]

I just got my P4Pro and am now looking for places in Fairfield County to fly without getting harrassed AND while getting some nice footage of the cities. Any recommendations since you been flyer allot longer than I have....

Anyone out there try flying at Sherwood Island State Park? I remember seeing RC planes down there in the 70's.

 

[RobbyD]

Anyone ever fly down at Sherwood Island State Park?

 

[Bill Armstrong]

Anyone out there try flying at Sherwood Island State Park? I remember seeing RC planes down there in the 70's.

Sherwood Island is fine -- but the RV airfield there, ironically, is a problem unless one is a member of the "Country Squires" remote controlled airplane club AND a member of AMA. Last December, I went over there one cold morning and a guy was just packing up his model airplane. I set up my P3S and took off, whereupon her got out of his car and came back and asked, "Are you a member?" I said I'd like a membership application, and he stayed with me there to watch me. We were the only people in the entire 238-acre park. It's about 60 bucks to join their little club, and a similar amount to also join the AMA, all for the privilege of lifting off from their faux airstrip. I haven't joined. But there are lots of other wide open spaces in that state park, such as along the beach or other picnic areas, from which one could fly a kite or, presumably, a sUAV.

 

[RobbyD]

Sherwood Island is fine -- but the RV airfield there, ironically, is a problem unless one is a member of the "Country Squires" remote controlled airplane club AND a member of AMA. Last December, I went over there one cold morning and a guy was just packing up his model airplane. I set up my P3S and took off, whereupon her got out of his car and came back and asked, "Are you a member?" I said I'd like a membership application, and he stayed with me there to watch me. We were the only people in the entire 238-acre park. It's about 60 bucks to join their little club, and a similar amount to also join the AMA, all for the privilege of lifting off from their faux airstrip. I haven't joined. But there are lots of other wide open spaces in that state park, such as along the beach or other picnic areas, from which one could fly a kite or, presumably, a sUAV.

Thank you for your response. Have a new P4 that hasn't flown, yet. Used to have a 3DR Iris with a GoPro that I dumped in the water.

 

[rfandy]

I’m thinking of Calf Pasture Beach this weekend. 5 x heliports in AirMap with contact numbers. Has anyone in past tried notifying them?

 

[Bill Armstrong]

Don't think it it's necessary to notify the heliports on this part of the map. Some of these are "carryover" listings from previous usages. One or more of these are for hospitals, one is for a company (Norden) that does not use a helicopter at this location. My guidance: see and avoid. I have not been in contact with any of these heliports.

 

[athearnsd45]

Watch out for the CT state parks - they do have anti-drone rules in place. One could argue with them if you're only overflying and not taking off/landing on their property, but chances are you'll be fighting a ticket. My town of Cheshire also prohibits drones and R/C aircraft in their parks and schools.

 

[TopDown]

We should have a Flight meet-up for any and all flyers in the Norwalk area. I'd recommend Veteran's Park as it's pretty wide open. As an FAA certified Pilot I'm trying to get a new Drone Photography/Mapping/Inspections business off the ground and enjoy any additional flying time I can get in!

 

[Bill Armstrong]

Good idea. I may try to be there around 10 am on Saturday (4/28) for a little proficiency run if anyone else is interested.

 

[gingerbloke]

Many people who work in the public service have a simple motto : "We're not happy unless you're not happy."

 

[Apexkingjusto]

My wedding is coming up at calf pasture, really hope this isn’t the case.

Keep a boat in Norwalk, I assume no issues there? Curious about launching off buildings rooftop lounge too.

Unfortunately a lot of the race tracks no longer allow them in paddocks, but curious if anyone has experience up at Lime Rock.

 

[Uncle Stumpy]

I call these authority obsessed ignoramuses "Barneys" as from the Andy Griffith show.

Worse. At least Barney had ONE bullet.

 

[lmmavrick]

Here's an UPDATE:

The Parks & Rec "chief", Mike somebody called me and screamed at me ! He said "FLYING OBJECTS are not permitted" per ordinance

Actually the ordinance says:

§ 74-8

Playing ball; exchanging flying objects; kicking objects; dogs; fires.

[Amended 7-14-1981]

A.

No person while at Calf Pasture Beach shall play hardball or softball, throw or otherwise exchange any flying object or projectile, kick or hit any ball or other object on the beach proper or in the water within 300 feet of the shore.



B.

No dogs shall be allowed on the beach, except seeing-eye dogs.



C.

No fires shall be lit in city parks except in designated areas.

(Emphasis added by me)

Note: BEACH PROPER.

Note: EXCHANGE (as with throwing or hitting (badminton etc)

He said "Norwalk Police (that told me it IS OK to fly there) don't know what they are talking about"

I did not and was not intending one flying on/over the BEACH "PROPER".

So while I think I'm OK there, I don't want to rock a drone boat when there are other places I can fly. The less battles "we" engage in, the better.

I disagree . in situations like this it's more important to stand your ground and keep your rights or you will lose them permanently . you really need to go back start your flying and if /when they come back put them in their places and don't allow them to push their fake false ideals on anybody . when we as a group of flyers always allow those to impose their views on us with out warrant we will lose our rights to fly period. wish i was around there !

 

[WV. Rootman]

I disagree . in situations like this it's more important to stand your ground and keep your rights or you will lose them permanently . you really need to go back start your flying and if /when they come back put them in their places and don't allow them to push their fake false ideals on anybody . when we as a group of flyers always allow those to impose their views on us with out warrant we will lose our rights to fly period. wish i was around there !

They wish you were around also. LOL