Totally agree. I took a business card around to all of my neighbors and
told them what I was going to do and pleaded with them to let me know first
if any of my operations upset them and I would take care of it.
To date, no problems. Even 0500 Sun morning test flights have not caused any
reaction.

Stu Fields
"Tom..." wrote in message
om...
Hiya Gents,

An interesting question has come up here that maybe some of you
might have or thought about. Maybe you too have a house some what
out in the country and wonder if you can fly "out of your back
yard". There are usually two controlling authorities, one the County
then the controlling city or town. I live in Grover Beach which is
in San Luis Obispo county, CA. The county is fairly rural and
their "rule" is: "If is is OK with the owner of the property then
you may take off and land as long as you do not endanger or disturb
anyone." The city says: One may not land a plane within the city
limits unless it is at the air port, an emergency, with written city
approval, or in coordination with police and/or fire departments.

I know of a Doctor who is an R22 owner (he now has the hangar next
to me) who built a nice house out in the rural area of the county.
He also built a metal barn like horse shed with a level concrete pad
and a level 30 ft driveway in-between them. All for the intention of
keeping his R22 at the house (a really great setup!) He sold his old
hangar and did this for
a month when he got a letter from the county to come in for a
hearing. The neighbors had got a petition against him and the board
heard them all and ruled against him, that it was "disturbing their
peace". He has since talked to his neighbors and comes to find out
it was all organized by one guy that live near an airport and hated
the noise and has since retired out in the country and just wouldn't
stand for it. BUT, several of his neighbors told him, after he has
sat down and talked with them, that had he come around and talked to
them first, explained how he would be using it infrequently, not
flying directly over their houses, and that it was not illegal by
county laws, and how he could get someone to the hospital quick, and
just basically "asked" their permission BEFORE he did it they would
have agreed. But the other guy came around after they saw and heard
a helicopter landing several times, inciting them with talk of fiery
crashes, 50 flights a day, and other things. I also know a few
people in other parts of the county that do have their R22's and
R44's at their houses and ranches with no problems.

My suggestion is start feeling out your neighbors now, talk to the
county and city to find out the rules. Talk to the local airport
manager (they usually know all the rules in the area) and talk to
the helicopter instructors as they usually know people that own
R22's because of check rides, and they hear all the good and bad
stories.

All politics is local...

Fly smooooth, fly safe, ENJOY,
Tom...