A sad day for 'Kambah Field'

[lobstermash]

It's been some weeks since I've been to Kambah Field. For those who fly RC in Canberra, you'll likely have flown at this iconic spot, which has a convenient unfenced couple of netball courts in between several soccer fields. This spot is so special because there's a landing approach for every wind, plus awesome thermals above it in the warmer months. The field is so iconic, it made it into the internationally renowned and available 'Phoenix' flight simulator.

There hasn't been a ban on flying put in place, however the thing that made this place so special - the landing strip - has been fenced. The RC competition car people have moved there, repainting the tarmac with a track and sticking a 3 foot cyclone fence around it. There is also a modified shipping container that's a viewing platform, which blocks a significant amount of the view from one side of the tarmac to the other.

Kambah was the best place to get used to a plane's landing characteristics before deciding whether to try it on a cricket pitch. It was also great for the days when your buddies are busy, because there was always someone else flying there if the weather was even slightly amenable.

 

[glydr]

Almost every time I stopped there to fly there would be someone else there!

At its prime some years ago there was the 2 cell combat competition where foam gws style warbirds with 2s Lipos max would dive at a streamer towed by a supercub. A touch or cut earnt a star on your bird.

Ahh, good times, good times.

 

[glydr]

Only 3ft? That should be no problem, the local airport fence is about 10ft.

 

[earthsciteach]

That is a shame. Do you think a conversation with the people who put up the fence would do any good?

 

[lobstermash]

Don't think so. A few weeks ago, before the fence was put up, it might have helped. Because we're just a random, rag-tag bunch of guys that fly there, our use of the field was probably largely unknown. There's a lhs very close to there that's going to be seriously affected by this too - people often walk from the field to the store for spares.

 

[Mode2]

Hi

I've been flying at Kambah for about 11 years now. We still get up to 20 regular flyers there on a good morning, plus people who just drop in from time to time.

The first I heard about this, was about 3 weeks ago when the line markings for the new track appeared, then the following week, 2 containers arrived and were installed. The fence framework was put up last weekend and is about 4.5 feet high to the top rail. I believe that steel mesh will be installed this coming weekend.

I had a fly on Monday and found it very unnerving during take-offs and landings over the fence. You don’t notice how much a change in wind speed can affect your glide path, until your trying to land over the top of a fence. The fact that fence is so close to the edge, means that you can’t really get the wheels on the ground until you are about halfway across the bitumen.
I’m really disappointed with the way this was done and the apparent lack of and requirement for public consolation.

I made enquiries to ACT gov last week and received the reply below on Friday(I have removed the sender details from this post). I spoke with the this contact and he was more than happy to discuss the agreement. What struck me was his insistence that they consulted widely, when clearly they had not taken the time to understand how the community as a whole used that space, not just the organised sport bodies.

I also contacted ACTPLA , seeking details of what was planned, however they had no development application lodged for the site, so as far as I can tell, the specific details about fencing and the container/viewing platforms may not have required any formal approval
Cheers Rod

From ACT Gov – Sports and Recreation
Thank you for your inquiry relating to the use of Kambah No. 3 District Playing Field. The old bitumen netball courts (not used for net ball for over 30 years) have been licensed to the ACT Model Car Racing Club. The group have approval to use the area with conditions including compliance with the noise regulations, insurance cover, litter removal etc. There are also special conditions such as litter responsibility, not operating on the same day as the annual Highland Gathering, etc.
The issuing of a licence does not necessitate a full consultation process, but Sport and Recreation Services did consult with the sporting groups that use the ground (being Capital Football and Athletics) and they did not object.
Once the ACTMCRC have completed the set up of their track, including marking out of their track and erecting a low perimeter fence, we will look to do some minor landscaping such as tree planting to soften the look of the area. The area will remain public open space.
This licence may be terminated by any party giving the other party six (6) months notice in writing, or such earlier termination as agreed by the parties in writing. The current licence expires on 30 June 2022.
Sport and Recreation Services has worked with the ACTMCRC as a recreation group, to support their activity at the Kambah ground.
I trust this information addresses your concerns.
Regards,

Some pics.

The fence goes all the way around the bitumen and containters.


A local. Shows the height of the new fence!

 

[Mode2]

BTW - I did try and contact the RC car club via their email contact on their website the week the containers were installed. To date, I have not received a response. Some of the locals and flyers have also tried to talk to them about their plans, but they have been very closed. I haven't had a chance to meet them or have direct discussions with them.

From what I can tell, these guys don't seem to care about the impact they have had or will have. It seems to be case of "Thanks very much, we're here and bad luck to everyone else".

 

[lobstermash]

Tree planting??? I know people who fly there that can't keep out of the trees already!

I'm impressed that you still tried to land on the strip.

The fence is a big issue, as the posts are concreted in and would take some removing should the ACTMCRC decide to move on. It's interesting to note that their previous facility (out the front of the derelict Fun Factory) did not require fencing.

 

[glydr]

Haven't been over to have a look, so thanks for the photos.

A great shame!

 

[lobstermash]

Just sent my own letter. Not that it'll do any good, but at least pointed out the potential impact on Nitrodude and the international significance of the place as a flying field (Phoenix). There's too much fence up for it to stop progressing, but I don't see why they need a fence all the way around when the trip hazard is only the bike path...

 

[Brian fred carr]

What a bummer for you guys...it seems the southern hemisphere hierarchy have a problem with the rc flying community.what with Bruce (rcmodelreviews) being ousted from his flying field because he was having fun. Hope you find somewhere new to fly soon

 

[colorex]

Dang... don't you hate it when they do stuff like this...

 

[glydr]

I imagine they want to stop stray balls, dogs, children, etc from running onto the track.

Pen (keyboard?) pushers in TAMS wouldn't be sympathetic to our cause, after all, you all go and fly at that place on the highway, don't you?

(That is usually the first question I get asked when I speak to a passer by while parkflying!)

As bad as it is I don't think it is worth making a load of noise about. I don't fancy drawing too much attention to parkflying else we could risk those nasty signs which prohibit any RC aircraft.

 

[lobstermash]

If they haven't banned golf in public spaces after all these years, they're not going to ban rc aircraft until someone crashes into a government building and does some serious damage.

Don't worry Andre, we've got a million public spaces to fly in here. None have a landing strip anywhere near as good Kambah, but we'll make do.

 

[colorex]

Don't worry Andre, we've got a million public spaces to fly in here. None have a landing strip anywhere near as good Kambah, but we'll make do.

You take this way better than I do...

 

[SteveOBHave]

Boo - that's a bit rubbish. I'm just using a playing field in Goulburn at the moment during the weekends (not much area in central Sydney) but the field gets cut in half every winter with rugby posts. Also end of season though so we should get our astroturf cricket pitch landing strip back soon

 

[lobstermash]

Rugby posts shouldn't stop you, Steve! Pylon racing and limbo!

We'll have to meet up at Goulburn at some stage. It's daytrip distance for us. In fact some people commute from Goulburn to Canberra.

We're very lucky in Canberra, because unlike most of Australia, rc flying is allowed in public spaces. This includes public sporting ovals, parks and nature reserves. In other states, most turn a blind eye if you're not too noisy or obnoxious or damaging to their property, but I have heard of people being reported for flying in public spaces and copping big fines.

 

[Mode2]

Hi Glydr
Pen (keyboard?) pushers in TAMS wouldn't be sympathetic to our cause, after all, you all go and fly at that place on the highway, don't you? - was their first response!

One interesting point in my discussion with Sports and Rec, they mentioned that there several 'fallow' ovals with cricket pitches that might be adapted for RC plane use. They offered to provide the same assistance to us they do the car guys. I have only ever tried to take from a cement pitch once with a tail dragger and it was a complete disaster (ground looped all over the place when the wheels clipped the grass verge).

So this got me thinking about other flying locations where groups of Canberra flyers meet. What other Canberra locations are popular with park flyers?

Are any suitable for EDF ROG operation?

 

[SteveOBHave]

Rugby posts shouldn't stop you, Steve! Pylon racing and limbo!

We'll have to meet up at Goulburn at some stage. It's daytrip distance for us. In fact some people commute from Goulburn to Canberra.

We're very lucky in Canberra, because unlike most of Australia, rc flying is allowed in public spaces. This includes public sporting ovals, parks and nature reserves. In other states, most turn a blind eye if you're not too noisy or obnoxious or damaging to their property, but I have heard of people being reported for flying in public spaces and copping big fines.

Sounds like a pretty good plan - I'll keep the public spaces thing in mind with flying in the city, I've been trying to find a good park to have a casual blat around.

 

[lobstermash]

If the wind's favourable the baseball (No. 2) oval is OK for EDF ROG. At the school next to Marist in Mawson, there's also an unfenced paved area, but takeoff and approach is limited.

Glydr and I use cricket pitches, but landings are about only about 50% on the pitch because it's hard, especially when there's a cross wind.

I think there's a good field up in Stab- sorry, Charnwood, but I haven't been up there. Glydr and I usually fly at Fadden Primary school, which is a tiny oval with a cricket pitch. Location is convenient. I also fly at the Wanniassa playing fields a bit. We're also into slope soaring, for which there are numerous good hills about the place.

But as I've probably already said, Kambah seems to be unique in terms of space and possible landing approaches. Building a big concrete or bitumen area like it would be very costly, let alone the issues of finding a similar amount of space.