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The Sierra Sagebrush Flyers Flying Site--FAA
Designated FRIA Field

Visit Our Flying Field

Douglas County Model Airplane Complex

Pinenut Road #2

Gardnerville, NV 89410

"The Friendly Field with a View"

How to get to the Flying Field from Hwy 395 in Gardnerville, NV
  1. Take Muller Parkway eastbound to the roundabout.
  2. Exit roundabout to the south on Pine Nut Rd
  3. After E. Valley Rd Junction bear right on Dump Rd.
  4. About 1/2 the way to the Transfer Station, turn left onto Pinenut Rd #2
  5. Go 400 ft or so east, then turn right at the brown Flight Complex sign onto the flying field access road (dirt).
  6. Go to the end of the access road and find the Flying Field parking lot. 
  7. There is an unlocked pedestrian access gate and a locked auto/vehicle gate. Club members, maintaining dues currency, are given the gate combination.
  • Safety fences.​​​​
  • Viewing area for non-flyers. ( About 10 ft back of the flight line chain link fence improves safety for all.
  • Runway windsock.​
​Facilities Include:
  • Porta Potty.
  • Chairs
  • Shaded airplane workbenches and seating areas.
  • Glow and Gas-engined aircraft start & warmup benches.
​​•
SSF FRIA map copied from the new FAA National FRIA map App Link;   https://faa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=8f274117010f4eb1a50f64c1719be12b

Get the new FAA FRIA map App link:   https://faa.maps.arcgis.com/home/index.html
 

Safe Flying Practices and Having Fun!

  • Most importantly: Do Not Fly South of the fence where pilots stand to fly and certainly never let your plane fly over spectators, shade structures or airplane workbench areas. 

  • Normal flight direction is in a clockwise oval pattern. Landing or low-pass runway maneuvers are flown from right to left. (Why? Prevailing winds are most often from the west to north.) 

  • For safety, thoughtful pilots call out their intentions to others on the flight line such as: "Taxiing", "Ready for take off", "Taking off." And when flying: "Landing" and "Cleared the runway."

  • If your plane becomes stranded on or off the runway upon landing, DO NOT enter the runway until all pilots know you intend to be on the runway and they have landed or are flying well away from the runway.

  • Multiple pilots can fly their planes together. After 5 or 6 airplanes are flying, additional pilots may choose to wait until one or more planes land.

  • Pilots help ensure safe flying by verifying correct radio stick action BEFORE take off! In other words, check that the elevator, aileron, and rudder all move in the expected direction (up-down, left-right) dictated by your transmitter's stick commands.​

  • Also, double-checking wing attachment and hatch and canopy closure systems reduces crashes.

  • If you fly an electric-powered plane, you may find it good practice to measure battery voltage or capacity before each flight.

  • Fllying with a spotter buddy helps the pilot fly better and safer.

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