Keeping out the idiots...of the air...
- Thread starter Maine_Polack
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JoelD
Veteran Member
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- Jan 27, 2005
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- Windham, NH and York, ME
- Tractor
- Kioti LK3054xs TLB, 2004
I really like the large balloon idea.
Joel
Joel
Cowboy, No they are probably not "hotrodded up" as that involves some complex paperwork and testing. However, they may be modified according to an existing approved mod. The exhaust system probably is not though. Crop dusters are made just for that. They are single seat special duty planes. Cessna's agtruck is one such bird. If they have been modified it is usually to go to a turboprop (jet engine with a propeller--it will have a long pointed nose) in order to get the greater power to weight ratio that it offers. These can be a bit loud, but they will only have one or at most 2 exhaust pipes 3-4 inches in diameter. The pipe can come out near the prop or back near the cowling depending on the engine. A crop duster makes alot of his noise with the prop. The low altitude and high weight demand that you move some air and that means spinning that chunk of aluminum.
Older cropdusters used the old radial engines, and while you can still get parts for the old Pratt and Wittneys it is getting harder. No american manuf still makes radials. These will have a short cowling but big and round. The exhaust from these can be just short stacks from each cylinder, but usually they have a collector ring and one or two exhaust pipes out the side or under the cowling. Here in Poland there still is a manufacturer that makes a radial. A 7 cylinder 350 hp (I think) for the STOL airplane "Wilga."
At any rate that is probably more info than you wanted.
Mike
Thanks for taking the time to post the info Mike . I find it very interesting . I,ll have to try & take some pics next time they show up . Bob
KennyV
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- Kubota L4200 GSTCA
You are absolutely correct...
and when being a good neighbor dose not work... it's EASY to, and at times necessary, to be the opposite....
wedge40
Veteran Member
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How much room do you have? Any change you'd care to become helicopter pilot.
I think I'd be putting a big tower, say 100' or more. You're only requirement is to put lights on it.
Also is the landing are in line with your house or perpendicular?
Maybe we should ask Mr Nugent how he'd handle this?
Wedge
I think I'd be putting a big tower, say 100' or more. You're only requirement is to put lights on it.
Also is the landing are in line with your house or perpendicular?
Maybe we should ask Mr Nugent how he'd handle this?
Wedge
hr3
Veteran Member
All very interesting,,,,but why is this being posted in "Build it yourself"... more likely it should be in "Rural Living"... way at the bottom of the page..
westcliffe01
Veteran Member
Rhett, people have different attitudes depending on their experiences. I used to have a website with a map showing my exact location in the town I lived in. I had a few people visit me who found some useful information regarding large format photography on my website (I used to publish the full pricelist for Linhof equipment, which was only available by snailmail from the factory in Munich Germany otherwise).
I guess that as someone who has lived through a war that resulted in 10% fatalaties to the engineering corps (not infantory), having personally been involved in 2 actual landmine incidents, 2 major attacks on our battalion HQ where we took over 38 shells within a zone 300x300ft, lived through 2 convoy ambushes in the middle of nowhere where we are carrying a mine detector in the hand, our rifles on our backs and walking on a dirt road raised about 3-5ft above the surrounding topography, one just has a different set of values.
Yes, there are some whacko people out there. Yes, there are places that one rather avoids, generally near or in cities. But generally, life is safer here than any other place I have lived.
I guess that as someone who has lived through a war that resulted in 10% fatalaties to the engineering corps (not infantory), having personally been involved in 2 actual landmine incidents, 2 major attacks on our battalion HQ where we took over 38 shells within a zone 300x300ft, lived through 2 convoy ambushes in the middle of nowhere where we are carrying a mine detector in the hand, our rifles on our backs and walking on a dirt road raised about 3-5ft above the surrounding topography, one just has a different set of values.
Yes, there are some whacko people out there. Yes, there are places that one rather avoids, generally near or in cities. But generally, life is safer here than any other place I have lived.
OP
Maine_Polack
Gold Member
Wow, this thread is growing large. Just want to clear up a few points.
First, I take no umbrage at anything said with the intention of being helpful. The internet is not the best way to converse, but here we are....
The "75 feet high" is certainly subjective. Suffice it to say that he flies very, very low. Low enough so that I feel I could throw an 1 1/2" rock and hit the plane.
When I first went to see him, I went with a smile. I shook his hand. Introduced myself. Made some small talk about his barn. Then gently approached him with my concerns. After admitting that he did have another way to land, he became smug and disrespectful, by proclaiming that he went to the trouble to become a official/registered airport, so the neighbors couldn't bother him. (Perhaps complaints from neighbors are not new to him).
This is when I mentioned the tresspassing/invasion of privacy, etc. (He laughed at my words). Again, I didn't get sucked into a confrontation, and left there without any argument.
I do appreciate all the suggestions, and will certainly consider receiving some help that was offered. Right now I'm going to prepare some arguments and see what happens with the FAA. I think it would be excellent for the inspector lady to come here and meet with both of us.
To the poster who offered to call the pilot...In what capacity would you call him? I like the idea if you can confront him with a title or something.
Me thinks that the balloon idea has some merit if things continue on the way they are. Either a weather balloon... or one similar to the kind that businesses sometimes use. These seem quite high, and I'm guessing that there are no restrictions against myself and my granddaughter flying her balloon.
westcliffe01: I also have been involved similar confrontations, and commiserate with you. I dunno, but it seems to me that perhaps that would earn me the right to be peaceful at my own house.
First, I take no umbrage at anything said with the intention of being helpful. The internet is not the best way to converse, but here we are....
The "75 feet high" is certainly subjective. Suffice it to say that he flies very, very low. Low enough so that I feel I could throw an 1 1/2" rock and hit the plane.
When I first went to see him, I went with a smile. I shook his hand. Introduced myself. Made some small talk about his barn. Then gently approached him with my concerns. After admitting that he did have another way to land, he became smug and disrespectful, by proclaiming that he went to the trouble to become a official/registered airport, so the neighbors couldn't bother him. (Perhaps complaints from neighbors are not new to him).
This is when I mentioned the tresspassing/invasion of privacy, etc. (He laughed at my words). Again, I didn't get sucked into a confrontation, and left there without any argument.
I do appreciate all the suggestions, and will certainly consider receiving some help that was offered. Right now I'm going to prepare some arguments and see what happens with the FAA. I think it would be excellent for the inspector lady to come here and meet with both of us.
To the poster who offered to call the pilot...In what capacity would you call him? I like the idea if you can confront him with a title or something.
Me thinks that the balloon idea has some merit if things continue on the way they are. Either a weather balloon... or one similar to the kind that businesses sometimes use. These seem quite high, and I'm guessing that there are no restrictions against myself and my granddaughter flying her balloon.
westcliffe01: I also have been involved similar confrontations, and commiserate with you. I dunno, but it seems to me that perhaps that would earn me the right to be peaceful at my own house.
westcliffe01
Veteran Member
Al, the question is whether you live in a location where he is entitled to fly over your place at less than 500ft elevation. Take a very careful look at your place on google earth. You may need to turn on airfields so that they are shown. If you are off to the side of the runway (and not directly off either of the ends), then you need to gather some undisputeable evidence. There would be no point in anyone else calling the pilot right now, since the entire discussion is just speculation at this point until someone gets evidence. I was not joking regarding a fixed camera system. It is a lot cheaper than talking to a lawyer without evidence. The best thing to do at this point is to say nothing, provide yourself with the means to capture evidence and give the other guy enough rope to hang himself.
If you get the above, there is no reason to write to the FAA, there are enforcement officers at the nearest public airfield (usually a towered field) that you can talk to and show your evidence. People talk. Local pilots will probably know about mr "Hot Dog" if thats who he is. Real pilots don't tolerate that kind of behaviour anyway, since it shows poor judgement and that kills the pilot and others in his plane and people on the ground sooner or later.
If you get the above, there is no reason to write to the FAA, there are enforcement officers at the nearest public airfield (usually a towered field) that you can talk to and show your evidence. People talk. Local pilots will probably know about mr "Hot Dog" if thats who he is. Real pilots don't tolerate that kind of behaviour anyway, since it shows poor judgement and that kills the pilot and others in his plane and people on the ground sooner or later.
Scooby074
Super Member
I dont know about the baloon or tower ideas. If he is legit and you put an obstruction in his way, you could end up being the one in trouble. Just something to think about.
