bassboi - 7-4-2010 at 02:37 PM
Do you guys sometimes go to property that you don't know who it's for, like a nice big strip of land, and attempt to fly?
If so, how are situations usually handled by the owners?
I know that it's probably a bad idea to begin with, however, I've thought about asking the people worded like this: "Hey, you want to see me get
pulled around by a kite for a while?"
I don't know how it'd work, but it seems promising by adding a little humor to it.
Any input is appreciated, thanks!
indigo_wolf - 7-4-2010 at 03:14 PM
We meet enough people that have no patience for us or our kites on public lands where ostensibly there this some type of equal footing.
If you are talking about walking on to someone's property and just flying until someone raises an issue or calls you on it, I would say "No.... don't
do it."
I fully understand that people are going to do what they are going to do and the forums are a weak platform for changing people's hearts and minds....
but you asked.
If you are talking about asking.... say a farmer if it would be cool to fly on one of his fields that is in rotation, then that's another kettle of
otters.... go for it.... always good to make new friends. If they say "No", Thank them and leave Don't assume they are going to change their mind
in a week.
You are talking about a situation where legally speaking they are in the right, and you are in 42 different languages of wrong. Different land owners
have different level of tolerances that you have absolutely no way of gauging in advance.
You also have no idea what's going on in their life.... money problems, death in the family, whatever... rattling someone's cage when they already
have stuff on their plate that is more important that you flying a kite is always a good way to pull back a stump.
As corny as it sounds, you are an ambassador for power kiting to every non-flier, but more importantly every local law enforcement official you
encounter. If you dim their view of the community, they will carry it forward to the next time they run into someone that flies kites.
I know folks have used the "better to beg for forgiveness than ask permission" riff before, but the thing is that carries forward.... You fly, get
called on it, beg for forgiveness and move on. The next flier that enounters that person is already going to be working repair relations that you
have damaged.
Sorry for rant, ramble, and soap box.... I have an inherent faith in how fast things can go South when multiple parties with divergent interests are
involved.
ATB,
Sam
Hardrock - 7-4-2010 at 03:30 PM
Never tried that but wanted to.
I wouldn't be comfortable flying and looking over my shoulder thinking someone is about to show up.
My choice for asking would be to have a liability release handy and hope they have some teenagers around when I ask. You can also find the names of
property owners on line through some county's web sites. Knowing their name would be a plus. Dress nice, wash your car, take your kite and girlfriend.
LOL
Also I'd rather catch them in the yard. I've been unlucky getting people to the door.
I worry that people will think I'm a serial killer or robber casing out their property if I just show up asking about flying a kite around here. Right
off they'll be on the offensive, as you see no such a thing in these parts.
My cousin was a Highway Patrolman who loved to hunt and fish. He would ask permission while in uniform and in his patrol car. Never was turned down.
Got to hunt and fish anywhere he wanted, even carried his rods and tackle in the trunk of the patrol car to stop and fish on a slow day. Just saying,
it has a lot to do with first impressions.
You might offer to cut some grass or help out around their place if the owners are elder.
st0rk - 7-4-2010 at 03:50 PM
they might shoot rock salt at you down in texas or a freaking slug haha, better to ask and they might be happy to let you use the land, no point in
ruining a kiting spot that they might have let you use but since you didnt ask in advance they tell you to go #@%$#! yourself
bassboi - 7-4-2010 at 06:13 PM
Again, I appreciate the input. This is the biggest problem I am facing by owning this kite.. I have no where to fly it!
I totally understand what you guys mean. I really don't want to ruin my chances of flying on a nice chunk of land by just going there without asking.
I've even thought about just going over, knocking on doors, and actually asking, however, I don't know if they actually own the property in question,
as well as if they would look at me stupid or laugh.
I think that if I would show it to them, then they would understand. I totally agree with the "ambassador of power kiting" part, because I've already
drawn an old man and his grandson to a field. I thought he was the farmer, so I packed up and approached him, but as I was approaching, they took off
and left. My father, who was near the guy at the time, said the guy was saying he just seen a big parachute looking thing and a bunch of dust flying,
and was wondering what the heck it was.
I'll take you guys' advice with a grain of salt. Like I said, I sure don't want to ruin chances of being able to fly in awesome places due to my
stupidity of flying on private property.
Thanks again
Hardrock - 7-4-2010 at 06:27 PM
Your not alone, us inland flyers are always searching.
I'll just fly the parks until that perfect field comes along. These guys that have skills, don't seem to need much area.
Just enough for the wind to come in right.
They just rip it up right in front of a camera.
Perhaps skills = smaller area.
Txshooter38 - 7-4-2010 at 08:12 PM
It is always good to respect someone's personal property until they say it is ok. Hardrock is right...first impressions are everything. Dress
nice.... definitely take your hot girl with you (if you don't have one rent one) and dress nice.
As a law enforcement officer in south Texas I am trying to sherpa the idea of power kiting down here as no one even knows what it is. I believe it is
very important that people's first impression of kiting is always a good one as even with that you will never win them all. If it is not your
property and you don't have permission please respect that.
I break out the kite and I immediately have a crowd asking what they are, where you get one...etc. My wife is constantly on question answer detail
while I am flying! I think people have a natural connection to kiting from there youth and it is important we foster that into an appreciation of our
sport.
clintopher - 8-4-2010 at 04:22 PM
Go to city hall and find out whose land it is...then ask.
nocando - 8-4-2010 at 11:53 PM
I am one of those fortunate types that has just scored a new flying area.
A deer farmer I know has a property with a great cleared area, he has allowed me to turn up whenever I please.
Usual rules apply, respect, take rubbish with you and dont be slack.
B-Roc - 9-4-2010 at 09:40 AM
There's a horse farm in my town that has been abandoned for 2 years now. Can't ride the fields in the summer as the hay gets too long but in the
winter it looks great. Originally developers came in and staked it all out for home development but with the economy being what it is that never
happened and the stakes have since fallen down or been removed.
Its been very tempting for me for the past two years but they have "no tresspassing" sings up and I've always been leary of what would happen if
someone called the police or whoever still owns the property showed up.
bobalooie57 - 9-4-2010 at 09:48 AM
It couldn't hurt to go to your local tax map office (in NY it's County) and look up the landowner. Drop them a line, or visit if possible. Just say
you like to fly big kites, and noticed a large empty space not being used at this time, which would be perfect for your hobby, and could you please be
allowed to fly there. Wouldn't it be great if you got the owner interested in flying big kites, too! (My friend with the airfield keeps saying he's
gonna try it sometime, but is always too busy.)