Tennessee Eagles RC Club – AMA Chapter 4276

Don’t Fly Alone

This one isn’t a rule. Nobody is going to write you up for it.

But it’s a very good practice.

Try not to fly alone.

Most of us think about safety in terms of airplanes — mid-airs, prop strikes, dead sticks, runway conflicts. But sometimes the biggest risks at a flying field have nothing to do with the aircraft.

They’re medical.

Imagine you’re at the field by yourself and something unexpected happens:

• Heat exhaustion

• A fall or injury

• A prop strike while starting a plane

• A heart or medical event

If nobody else is there, help may not arrive for a long time.

Flying with at least one other person dramatically changes that situation. Someone can help. Someone can call for assistance. Someone can provide first aid or guide emergency responders to the field.

It’s the same reason divers use the buddy system.

Now, to be clear — we all know sometimes you stop by the field to sneak in a quick flight. That happens.

But when possible, coordinate with another club member. Send a text. Meet up for a few flights. Make it a habit.

Flying is more fun with company anyway.

More laughs. More spotting. More people to admire that perfect landing… or witness that spectacular crash.

Either way, it’s better when someone else is there.

And from a safety standpoint, it’s always the smarter choice.