FBRC Flying Site

FBRC has Moved to a New Flying Site 

On Saturday, May 22^nd, a large group of club members turned out to move all of the club's equipment and supplies to the new flying site at the Fort Bend County Landfill in Rosenberg.  Thanks to some members who brought large flat bed  trailers and pickup trucks, and thanks to the large number of other members who provided muscle power to load and unload all of the stuff, we were able to complete the move within about 3 hours.  We spent a few more hours setting up everything at the new site, and then the first flight was airborne shortly after lunch time.  Many more flights were flown during the afternoon, and we all agreed that the new site is a win for our club.  The last flight was not done until just before dark, so I would say that we have enthusiastic member support for the new field!!!  Special thanks to the Dulles High School Air Force ROTC kids for their outstanding work during the move.

The new site is less than 2 miles from the old site so there is a strong likelihood of serious Radio Frequency Interference on the 72 MHz channels.  This situation could cause inadvertent crashes at BOTH flying sites.  Therefore, beginning on May 22^nd, ALL flying at the Fairgrounds Flying Site must be conducted ONLY on 2.4GHz frequencies.  In a short time thereafter, ONLY helicopter flying will be allowed at the Fairgrounds Flying Site.

Since the new field is located inside a controlled County Facility, the site will have an automatic gate with access limited to club members who have a valid security card and PIN number.  Member security cards were mailed on May 17th and member PIN numbers will be sent before the new field opens.  Remember that if you want to invite a non-member out to fly, you will need to meet them at the gate to open it for them.  You must also make sure that the guest flyer follows all of the club rules and that he/she leaves the site when you leave.

Instructions for Using the Site Security System

When you arrive at the gate, there is a keypad and card reader located on a pedestal on the left side of entrance. You must have both a security card and a valid PIN number in order to enter the gate.

1) Hold the security card within 3 inches of the front of the keypad. The keypad will beep to signal that the card is valid.

2) Within 5 seconds, enter your PIN number. If the PIN is valid, the unit will beep, the light bar will turn from red to green, and the gate will open.  ( If you experience problems with your PIN Code, you may need to reset the reader after 3 or more failed attempts. If so, please press  * # 1 2 3 4 #   on the keypad and then wait 5 seconds. Then start again by presenting you card and then entering your valid PIN. If it doesn't work, then call Lin Moore at 281-380-1414 to get help with the system. )

3) Drive through the gate quickly, since it will begin to close about 30 seconds after it has fully opened.

4) The gate will close automatically after you have entered. Just follow the road to the concrete pad, drive up onto the pad, and then bear right and follow the road to the manual gate.

5) The manually operated gate has a combination lock with the code set to 0102. (2010 backwards). This gate can be left open until the last person leaves for the day. Turn right immediately after you pass through the manual gate, then bear left onto the flying site road. You will see the runways and facilities on your left.

6) The clubhouse is secured with an electronic combination lock. The combination for this lock is 2342. (same code as the concession stand at the old field). The keys for the bathrooms are hanging on the wall behind the door of the clubhouse.

7) While at the flying site, keep in mind that we are located on an operating Fort Bend County Facility so we absolutely must be good neighbors and good stewards for this site. Do NOT venture out into other parts of the facility since these areas are only authorized for Employees of the County. The only exception would be to retrieve a downed aircraft.

8) Please familiarize yourself with all posted rules at the flying site. We will be learning as we go, so watch out for changes to the rules as gather experience with using our new flying site.

9) When you ready to leave the field, be sure to turn off all of the clubhouse lights and the A/C unit. Also, make sure that the bathrooms are locked and that the clubhouse door is locked.

10) Be sure to lock the manual gate if you are the last person out.

11) Approach the automatic gate slowly, and your vehicle will be sensed and the gate will automatically open to let you out. Drive through immediately, since the gate will begin to close about 30 seconds after it has fully opened.

12) The gate will close automatically after you have exited the field.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact Lin Moore via cell phone at (281) 380-1414 or via email at linward1@slb.com .

The Fort Bend RC Club flying site is located at the Fort Bend County Landfill at 1135 Spur 529, Rosenberg, TX.  

Map to the Flying Site

Directions to the Flying Site

Local Hotels

Flying Site Rules

Learn to Fly

On-Site Facilities

2 Paved Runways (N/S 700 ft x 50 ft;  E/W 525 ft x 50 ft)

Air Conditioned Clubhouse with Drinks & Chips

Covered Pavilion / Pit Area

Electric Power at each pit stall

Pilot Parking at Pit Area

Starting Tables for Small Craft

Men's and Ladies Restrooms

Spectator Seating

Picnic Tables

Construction Pictures from the New Flying Site

Flying Site Etiquette

Let's all use the same runway. Taking off and/or landing on the runway not designated by the indicator plane, located at the intersection of the 2 runways, is very dangerous. No one flying can see what you are doing and if you lose control of your plane, you are putting people in harms way unnecessarily.

When taking off to the North or to the West, the general flight pattern is with right hand turns. The landing pattern is also done with right hand turns. If you are having a problem making right hand turns in this situation, please request help from one of the instructors and learn to fly a horizontal figure 8 pattern without gaining or losing altitude. If you can fly that pattern properly, you should have no problem making right turns on landing approach.

Learn how to land. If you can't land properly, you can't fly. Remember, take-off is optional. Landing IS mandatory. Since the beginning of flight, we've never left a plane up there. When you fly, shoot several landings. practice makes perfect.

Landing planes will always have the right of way. Please check to see if there is a plane attempting a landing before you taxi out on to the active runway for a take-off. Call out your intentions to other pilots who are flying.

The start up stands are for start up and minor engine adjustments. If you must make extensive engine adjustments or break in an engine, please use the stand by the concession building. Do not run engines under the pavilions when there are other people present.

ALL engines are required to have mufflers and are expected to meet our posted noise standards.

The dumpster is not to be used for personal or business trash. It is there by courtesy of BFI and their relationship with one of our club members. We would like to continue this relationship. Please do not haul your castoffs out to the field for disposal. If you find one of the garbage cans by the pavilion full, empty it into the dumpster. If you see trash on the ground or tables, pick it up and place it into the trash cans.

The last CLUB MEMBER to leave is responsible for locking up the buildings and the gates.