New flyer without a clue about good places to fly in SGV. I'm in Monrovia, a few miles east of Pasadena, CA. Anyone out this way?
Gary
Gary
Places to fly in San Gabriel Valley?
- Thread starter phalcon51
- Start date
How about the Monrovia Mountain Park? Too many trees? How about the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area over by Azusa? Other places along the San Gabriel River in Irwindale? or up along the San Gabriel River in the San Gabriel Mountains?
Great Pumpkin,
First off, thanks for the suggestions.
Yeah, definitely too many trees in Monrovia Mountain Park, especially for a Noob like me. :lol:
I think Santa Fe Dam recreation area is too closely regulated and monitored as it's a fee-based site and part of the L.A. County Dept. of Parks and Recreation. You even need to get a special permit to do any filming and, even though it's not a lot different than making home movies, shooting video from my Phantom without a permit could be construed as a violation. I'd rather not take a chance, although it would be a nice spot to get some cool high altitude (400' or under, of course) shots from.
I could probably get away with flying up in Azusa Canyon or from Glendora Mountain Road though. However, if I ran into any problems that required an early landing offroad, retrieving the bird could be very difficult as it's quite rugged up there.
As I'm very new to this I'd like to find some large, flat open areas that are forgiving of mistakes. Once I develop some flying skill and confidence I would probably be willing to tackle some of the riskier areas.
My other concern regarding any of the canyon areas is the possibility of causing a fire with a hard crash and shorted electrical components. I know it's a very slim chance that it would happen, but I still wouldn't want to have something like that on my conscience, let alone the legal ramifications. It sometimes makes me wish I lived in the Midwest with all the wide open farm land in the spring and summer and snow in the winter.
Gary
First off, thanks for the suggestions.
Yeah, definitely too many trees in Monrovia Mountain Park, especially for a Noob like me. :lol:
I think Santa Fe Dam recreation area is too closely regulated and monitored as it's a fee-based site and part of the L.A. County Dept. of Parks and Recreation. You even need to get a special permit to do any filming and, even though it's not a lot different than making home movies, shooting video from my Phantom without a permit could be construed as a violation. I'd rather not take a chance, although it would be a nice spot to get some cool high altitude (400' or under, of course) shots from.
I could probably get away with flying up in Azusa Canyon or from Glendora Mountain Road though. However, if I ran into any problems that required an early landing offroad, retrieving the bird could be very difficult as it's quite rugged up there.
As I'm very new to this I'd like to find some large, flat open areas that are forgiving of mistakes. Once I develop some flying skill and confidence I would probably be willing to tackle some of the riskier areas.
My other concern regarding any of the canyon areas is the possibility of causing a fire with a hard crash and shorted electrical components. I know it's a very slim chance that it would happen, but I still wouldn't want to have something like that on my conscience, let alone the legal ramifications. It sometimes makes me wish I lived in the Midwest with all the wide open farm land in the spring and summer and snow in the winter.
Gary
Your safety concerns are all valid. I started out by flying in some big commercial parking lots on weekends, and on a high school soccer field, also on weekends. You could fight the ghastly I-210 traffic out to Upland near some of the big open spaces between the freeway and the mountain front. I've driven the 210 the last three weekends and saw some interesting looking space in Azusa north of the 210 and north of the beer brewery, but not in the big gravel pit. Lots of flying space in Antelope Valley and the Mojave Desert, of course, but they are a long way from Monrovia to go just to fly a couple of batteries worth of time. Chino Hills? Puente Hills? Brookside Park in Pasadena?
Yeah, I was thinking of checking out Brookside Park. I know they've allowed gliders and park flyers in the past, but I haven't been by there in a long time. Maybe next weekend.
I'd prefer someplace grassy as opposed to an empty parking lot or the like. They're too **** solid when you screw up a landing!
Gary
I'd prefer someplace grassy as opposed to an empty parking lot or the like. They're too **** solid when you screw up a landing!
Gary
My first flight was in a field with fairly high, but dead, grass, so I understand your worry about a hard crash when starting out. I wish I could show you how easy it is to land gently. For starters, just don't fly high or far, and bring her in and down SLOWLY. You could also have a friend with you to hand catch, but again, come in and down SLOWLY. Good luck and continue to worry about flying safely and responsibly.
I live in azusa i just go the Phantom 4 i need to learn to fly it now haha dose anyone know if i can fly it in the Azusa High field also is there any groups i can join to learn thanks all
I'm new too, just got the P3 std. I have flown in santa Fe dam towards the west side of the empty field. Didn't have any problems so far. I am looking for other places to fly.
I need my NFZ Restriction removed if anyone knows where and how in california email me at [email protected]
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