FF15 Question Thread

Rob D

Member
Camp site size

I posted earlier if anyone knew actual size of the camping spots but i guess it was overlooked i don't see a response unless i overlooked it. :confused: Im just curious what size tent to buy. Don't want to buy one two big. :cool:

Thanks
R :cool: b
 

Fasted2629

Member
Last year i dont think there was a specific size it was here is your site is this going to be enough room. It was basically just sid by side by side until they needed to start a new row. I know i had a 8x10 tent and a 10x10 popup and my explorer behind it and i was not cramped. Just bring what you will be comfortable in and hope your neighbor doesnt snore to loud. LOL
 

AustinFurey

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I posted earlier if anyone knew actual size of the camping spots but i guess it was overlooked i don't see a response unless i overlooked it. :confused: Im just curious what size tent to buy. Don't want to buy one two big. :cool:

Thanks
R :cool: b

Last year the campsite sizes were 20x50 which proved to be ample room.
We haven't blocked it all out yet but it will be similar for 2015 :)
 

AustinFurey

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Question: Will the field be rolled and will the grass be cut any shorter this year?

The airstrip is rolled regularly just as maintenance for full scale airplanes using the runway.
It can certainly be cut a little shorter this year without harming the grass. :)
 

sconner

Member
There is one "Area" with many plugs, with probably an 8' table. I haven't gotten the latest on the power situation, but in past discussions getting an industrial generator and hiring an electrician for the setup and maintenance has been tossed around, as has improved local cell service, but no idea what will/will not be implemented.

As far as how, it's pretty much an "AC power provided here" setup. you bring your charger, find an empty plug charge, then you take your charger. Last year we had HEAUGE issues with people abandoning their charger for the day, leaving it plugged in (sometimes with a battery, sometimes not) consuming both table and outlet space and tripping breakers (just because it's not charging the battery doesn't mean the power supply isn't drawing considerable power). fortunately the breaker made for a regular "time to clean up" notice. Whenever it tripped, everyone in the tent who was charging got called over and if you weren't in earshot of the tent, you got unplugged.

This year we hope to NOT repeat the breaker games, and have better posted rules (One more thing I'm going to try to slip this into the "festival etiquette" PSA), but not positive how we're going to manage/police the charging area.




USE YOU OWN.

(I'm not mad, just emphasizing -- FT will only be providing power, and unless you know the person REALY WELL, don't use their charger.)

Well, last year I left my charger at the table for others to use, as it seemed that is what folks were doing. Obviously, I was one of the "offenders". HA! I was just trying to be friendly and sharing my charger for those who might not have one or need to charge extra batteries. I also used other peoples chargers when I had more than one battery to charge. I've taken note of the concerns and will remove my charger from the table when I'm not using it this year. Thanks for all you guys did in corralling us hoodlums!

Steve
 

Craftydan

Hostage Taker of Quads
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Steve,

I'm not trying to be mean or be the charger Nazi -- If I came off that way, I apologize -- but last year we did have someone come in and plug in one of their batteries on someone else's charger, frying the distribution board and ruining the battery that was already plugged in. The guy who plugged in without permission walked away with his battery unscathed.

That was the extreme example -- again the biggest headache was tripping relays. Hopefully that won't be as big of a problem this year, but I'd hate for ANYONE to come back to their charger ready to put juice back on their pack to fly, only to find someone had "borrowed" it, set it up wrong and broken it. Your charger might be smart enough to be fool-proof, but not all are . . . and fools can be more clever than we imagine.

I'm all for sharing, and I do applaud your spirit, but for some of the things being shared we're recommending the owner share their experience in running it too. Things like chargers and some exotic building tools need to be run by their owners, because it's too easy to do it wrong and break something or hurt someone.
 

Techno

Sunny Day Park Flyer
Dan, I'm with you 100% as far as the bring your own charger, etc. I'll admit, I was one of the n00bs who didn't know how to use the big fancy chargers last year, for my reputation's sake, I won't go into detail. Anyway, I eventually ended up using my own charger last year and it was much better because I already knew how to use it. I won't say sharing is bad, but leaving something like a LiPo charger unattended can be a bit reckless. Also, I think getting an electrician is a great idea. Just my two cents
 

willsonman

Builder Extraordinare
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I applaud your intent Dan. I intend to have my hot wire equipment on -hand and would happily make it available for those who want to try it out if they have not used one before. I know I will have scraps that folks can make use of.
 

sconner

Member
Not at all Dan! I didn't take it as mean. I took it more as an "Oh no, I shouldn't have left it there plugged in." :black_eyed: Trust me, you are a top notch fella, I wouldn't want you to feel bad for what you said as it's the truth. I just didn't see it from the always-flipping-the-breaker angle. :D

As for the guy that fried somebody else's battery, shame on him! It's not like there wasn't plenty of vendors he could have got it replaced for the guy quite easily. Accidents happen. Just make good on it!

sconner
 

RacerX

Member
Thanks for all of the great questions and thorough responses. You guys are planning this event properly!

Here's a tricky one.

My friend and I are planning on coming to FF 2015 for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. We have access to a medium size RV. We definitely want to use it as a base of operations while we are there. We are kinda wusses and need to sleep at a motel since we're probably not gonna sleep good in the un-airconditioned camper.

If we get a campsite and setup the RV during the day, would we be able to close up and take the RV back out each night to go to our motel? And could we then return to our campsite in the morning and set it back up?

We considered bringing a car along but it's a 2.5 hour drive for us. It'd be nice to only bring the RV.

We were only there for one day, Friday, last year at FF 2014. Did anyone do this? Would it cause too many problems driving in and out at the beginning and ending of each day?

We also like the idea of recharging our batteries at the motel overnight but I can see how this could be a huge pain if we get a campsite that is boxed in by other campers. I surely don't want to cause a huge problem for anyone else.
 

CrashRecovery

I'm a care bear...Really?
Mentor
I think that will depend on how the camp sites are setup. I'm with you about having to have coolness to sleep. One night I about froze sleeping in my tent with only a thick blanket on me. It was very comfortable at night so you might be alright in the camper at night.
 

Team_Monkey

New member
Racerx, I'm not a worker bee so I have no "say" in the matter but based on what you're proposing, yes I would say it will be a very big problem. Traffic flow in and out of a single lane driveway is difficult.

If you are going to be staying at a hotel anyway just set up a pit tent and drive a regular truck or car to/from the event. Last year I did just that and just getting my Pickup in and out took patience as the 1200 other people were trying to do the same thing running for breakfast or dinner or supplies, etc... I wouldn't want to think of moving an RV in and out. Not to mention the wear and tear that would do to the Fury's lawn. 8-0

See you in July!
 
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Trimax

Senior Member
there is a camp site probably 8-9 miles from FF but then a drive to the Hotel would be 6 miles...why not just park the RV at the motel which is about 8 mile there are several in Carrollton
 

RacerX

Member
Thank you for all of the answers. That's what I suspected - it's too much hassle to move an RV in and out every day.

I am looking forward to seeing everyone! Thanks again.
 

Knight Owl

Junior Member
I attended FF last year for one day, but I'm considering camping there this year. As a newb to any type of camping, I have some questions, starting with...
1) How did the showers work out last year? Long lines/wait? Water warm? Please describe.
2) How are camping spots assigned? By pre-registration order, time of arrival, or mostly random? Is there any choice in the matter?

Thanks. Looking forward to seeing you there!
 

CrashRecovery

I'm a care bear...Really?
Mentor
showers worked pretty good. no lines. camping spots were done as you arrived. if you are looking to have a group stay together you could probably tell the parking crew that and they can leave space open
 

Rob D

Member
Im looking to be there Wednesday evening before dark to setup my tent/camping spot. I seen somewhere that it would be ok to do that. Hope thats still ok to do. Not a volunteer dont think my back would allow that lol. I am willing to give what help i can in between helping my wife with my 2 boys. Especially if it gets me a closer camping spot ;)
Rob
 
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Mik3

Mr. Gee Bee
My dad and I are thinking about coming this year and I had a question about the AMA insurance.

Will the Park Pilot Membership Program be accepted? Since I don't fly anything over 2lbs and most of my models are under 60mph there is no need for me to have an Open Membership.

Here is the difference between the 2 types of AMA membership for those interested AMA: Open vs Park Pilot