[Midair]

Our R/C aircraft club, NIPMAC, is planning to build new pilot safety barriers; we currently use rebar posts and snow fencing and although this type of barrier has served us well, it causes extra work for our field maintenance folks when cutting grass (the barriers are permanent). Most fields at which I have flown, now use portable PVC and snow fencing barriers that surround the pilot on three sides.

I would like to build five of these, but I would like to know what materials other clubs have been using. The least expensive option that I've come across is central vacuum pipes and fittings; pipe is ten feet long (approx. $7.00) and the common fittings are available (30, 45, 90 degree, "T's" etc) for about $2-$3 each. What does your club use and could someone provide common dimensions?

Thanks,

Peter

[seena007]

Will the PVC hold up if a plane was to hit it?

[Midair]

I can't imagine why they wouldn't work. As I said, many fields at which I've flown now use them. I'm just trying to determine the best design before I go out and spend our club's money. The photos below were taken at GSM (Sudbury) and the KW Flying Dutchmen (Kitchener) clubs and The Joe Nall at Triple Tree Aerodrome.

[bbbair]

A very good thing to do with the ABS (or PVC) tubing is to secure it to the ground in a 'Removable manner'.

By this I mean that you make the barrier out of 1.25" Tubing and then at the bottom have a 6" section go into the ground to hold it in place. This section slides into a 1.5" piece of ABS that you have placed into the ground.

It is a great thing to have, the barrier will stop wayward airplanes and is removable for grass cutting.

[Midair]

Originally Posted by bbbair

A very good thing to do with the ABS (or PVC) tubing is to secure it to the ground in a 'Removable manner'.

By this I mean that you make the barrier out of 1.25" Tubing and then at the bottom have a 6" section go into the ground to hold it in place. This section slides into a 1.5" piece of ABS that you have placed into the ground.

It is a great thing to have, the barrier will stop wayward airplanes and is removable for grass cutting.

I like it! Thanks for the tip.

Peter

[roscoe]

our club made the pilot barriers from two fence gates hinged together. Very sturdy yet light enough to move for storage and mowing.
The gates are for wire fencing aka chain link, the frames are approx 11/4 galvanised tube formed and joined.

[Flypaper]

We have the same plastic barriers at our field. We don't take them down to cut the grass as the mower will cut close when the barriers are straightened out. If the grass gets too long, us regulars will take the weedwacker out and make short work of it. The pipes are very strong and havn't broke yet although we try.
They're left up through the winter too.

[Midair]

Thanks Gord. Do you happen to know the type of pipe material? I've sourced 2" central vac pipe and fittings. I had a look at 2" PVC gas pipe and fittings, but that stuff costs around $16.00 for a ten foot length compared to only $7.00 for vac stuff; the gas PVC is considerably thicker walled.

Peter

[Thunder Chicken]

Any luck with building the pilot stations? We are thinking of the same idea......

[Flypaper]

Sorry I didn't get back to you.
I just phoned my buddy who built them and he says they are 1 1/2 in. drain pipe Shedule 40 ABS.
He's going to send me a pic of the dimensions for you, and as soon as I get it, I'll bring it here.