[Blueblaze]

Somebody in the RC model airplane club that flies at the Polo Grounds crashed a tiny 5oz cub-like airplane on the vacant field west of the Polo office. In fact, it was more of an off-airport landing than a crash, since the plane was undamaged. But the club has been on probation since last Spring, when a slightly larger airplane crashed in a horse paddock, about 30 feet from a horse -- also causing no damage whatsoever, other than to the plane itself.

This club has flown from the Polo Grounds for over 15 years without a single injury or damage to property, including horses. It is insured against damage by the American Modeling Association, to which all members must belong. The planes flown are limited to 7 pounds, but 3 pounds is typical, since a pilot would have to build his own plane from balsa wood to even approach 7 pounds. Most of that weight is actually the batteries, which are cushioned by the styrofoam these planes are typically made from. While the risk is not zero, lightning is far more likely to do damage to people or property than one of these toy airplanes.

It's particularly irritating, since the Villages advertises the club in their promotional materials, and their leading competitor (Top of the World in Ocala) has a beautiful, dedicated, RC flying facility. The Polo Club claims that the polo grounds is private property, and that anyone they want can be excluded. In fact, if you check the tax records, you will find that it is owned by The Villages, Inc., not the Polo Club, or even any of the Morse relatives. Many Villager activities take place there, such as the annual balloon flight. Many other clubs use the property, such as the kite flying club. In fact, the facility would not exist at all if not for the 100,000 homes "The Villages Inc" has sold that financed it, or the lifestyle they advertised to attract those folks, which included the existence of the model airplane club.

[Keefelane66]

If you don’t own the property you have no control Sorry Charlie.

[thelegges]

Sorry if a model plan crashed anyway near my pony, that cost thousands upon thousands of dollars, you would be banned in a heart beat. Obviously for many years your club had members that never caused an issue. Well that has changed, so time to find a different venue, I doubt anyone on this site can change your clubs fate.

Did you start a similar thread, wanting to use an empty field that was staked for turtles? How that plea working for you, yea or nay

[tophcfa]

Their property, their rules (unless you have a deeded easement). I’m not sure about this, but I don’t think they can prohibit you from flying your model airplane in the airspace above their land, only you setting foot onto the ground within their boarders?

[FloridaGuy66]

The whole concept of the Polo club annoys me. There is no Polo club that residents of the Villages can join to go play polo. I fully expected when I moved down here that I would be able to join a club and play polo maybe once a month or a few times a year even.

I'm decent on riding horses and happily would pay a fee to cover the horse rental.

I just don't understand the point of the Polo grounds. They could put a lot more fun things there that Villagers could actually use. A golf cart racetrack would be amazing.

[Shipping up to Boston]

Originally Posted by FloridaGuy66

The whole concept of the Polo club annoys me. There is no Polo club that residents of the Villages can join to go play polo. I fully expected when I moved down here that I would be able to join a club and play polo maybe once a month or a few times a year even.

I'm decent on riding horses and happily would pay a fee to cover the horse rental.

I just don't understand the point of the Polo grounds. They could put a lot more fun things there that Villagers could actually use. A golf cart racetrack would be amazing.

You already have multiple golf cart racetracks....it’s called an MMP!

[Dusty_Star]

I am sorry to pile on, since most comments seem to be against you & I do tend to agree with many things you post. But you mention 'no damage at all' to the earlier crash 30 feet away from the horse. No physical damage, I'm sure. But horses are very sensitive & who knows how long, if even now, the horse has been 'back to normal'? I'm afraid that earlier crash did more damage, if only reputational, than you are accounting for. I'm sorry, it is a good club.

[Altavia]

From the club website, it is apparent there have been other problems.

E Flying is supported by The Villages and permitted on the multi-purpose fields as noted in this link.

villages-eflyers

[Papa_lecki]

I am not sure what is more of a #villagerproblem
1) not allowing 65 year olds to play polo on a 1000 lb horse OR
2) not being able to fly your pretend plane on land you don’t own

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by Shipping up to Boston

You already have multiple golf cart racetracks....it’s called an MMP!

And as a bonus they come with walkers and bicycles as obstacles.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by FloridaGuy66

The whole concept of the Polo club annoys me. There is no Polo club that residents of the Villages can join to go play polo. I fully expected when I moved down here that I would be able to join a club and play polo maybe once a month or a few times a year even.

I'm decent on riding horses and happily would pay a fee to cover the horse rental.

I just don't understand the point of the Polo grounds. They could put a lot more fun things there that Villagers could actually use. A golf cart racetrack would be amazing.

It’s the developers land and Polo is a passion of some family members. It’s not an amenity and it’s not there for Villagers to use. If Villagers want to attend a polo match, they can buy a ticket.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

The paddock is where the horse is residing. Someone crashed a toy airplane into the side of his bedroom. Would you be okay if I got my toy airplane and crashed it into the side of your bedroom? Would you be okay with it if I said "oh woopsie, no harm no foul, see you next week, maybe I won't hit your house again, hahah"? Or would you tell me on no uncertain terms am I welcome back within 50 yards of your house with that thing again?

[Shipping up to Boston]

I’m only here to see if this turns into one of those.....pilot/not a pilot threads!

[Blueblaze]

Originally Posted by Dusty_Star

I am sorry to pile on, since most comments seem to be against you & I do tend to agree with many things you post. But you mention 'no damage at all' to the earlier crash 30 feet away from the horse. No physical damage, I'm sure. But horses are very sensitive & who knows how long, if even now, the horse has been 'back to normal'? I'm afraid that earlier crash did more damage, if only reputational, than you are accounting for. I'm sorry, it is a good club.

I actually witnessed that crash. The horse merely looked up from grazing and then went back to grazing. The Polo Grounds guy yelling at the pilot made a bigger commotion from the horse's point of view than the crash did.

I'm from Texas, and worked in a dairy when I was a kid, where I used a horse every day to bring in the cows. I have been around horses much of my life. Working horses like those polo ponies are not the sensitive bundle of nerves city people imagine. That plane could have crashed on his back, and that horse would have likely bucked a couple of times and moved away, thinking it was a bird. That plane couldn't have done more than cut that horse with the prop, even if it had hit him square between the eyes. And the plane was insured, anyway.

Yes, I suppose I agree that the "developers" can do what they want with their property that our homes paid for, even to the point of planting their hobbies in the middle of the Villages and exiling Villagers from using it.

I just don't understand the logic of alienating their benefactors over something so trivial.

[sianagers@att.net]

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki

I am not sure what is more of a #villagerproblem
1) not allowing 65 year olds to play polo on a 1000 lb horse OR
2) not being able to fly your pretend plane on land you don’t own

I am crying 🤣🤣🤣