Hi,

Does anyone know the status of Delhis Safdarjung Airport..Seems abandoned to me...Can it be utilised as a RC filed?

Seniors here must have already given it a thought...

Safdarjang ! Forget it I mean just forget it! With its close proximity to the **most** famous address in India like 7 Race Course, and score of Cabinate MPs, it would be the last place authorities would spare for a hobby already under much scrutiny and despair.

As last I read, the airport is reserved for *special* situation, again for its close  proximity and short runway.

as a matter of fact, I really shudder, if some unsuspecting/uninformed  Chinese R/c plane flier goes there and tries to fly there. Its a potential 'Breaking' News for cheapo News Channels like India TV or Aaj Tak. What may ensue would be nothing than our humble hobby demonized out of proportions.

the news part seems funny but it is the reality

Ya, their punch line may be:
 
"Yeh Plane Kare  Bechain"
"Kyaa R/C plane aap ke ghar main ghus aayenge? Kaaya aapka ghar in Aasmani Darindon se surakshit hai? Kyaa aapka bachcha inke rehte Chain ki need le sakta hai" - Dekhte rahiyega, sirf isi channel par.


I'll just kill those 'Jhola Chaap' journalists  >

well that is 100% true but we can't say which channel is not included in that "Jhola Chaap" category>

[folks i and ujjwanna are getting very offtopic and hijacking this thread for a moment]
Well thats true that aaj tak is considered and is a "jhola chaap" channel but remember it has got awards for best news channel
thats the state of our country

Safdarjang is closed.  Once tried to take permission of ATC when status of Safdarjang was active. Even then, the permission was not given.  NCC people were permitted to fly years ago.  I have been lucky enough to witness legendary DC-3 dakotas from BSF with majestic twin engines, Dorniers, noisy Basants and red colored De Havilland Beavers passing by my house every now and then when the airport was operational.  Also, saw Dash-8 on demonstration flight and two Indian Navy Harrier Jump jets way back in 1986 winters from same airport.   Then, major aero sport event  in November 2000 which had many aeromodellers with active participation.

I think the decision of agencies to bar the R/C activity so close to super/hyper sensitive VIP area nearby is totally justified, considering the privaling security atmosphere in the continent.
Yesterday I learnt from Mr Sanjeev that even Mahalaxmi Race course was out of R/C activity for three weeks as agencies stopped them to allow flying around Republic day.

North is lucky to have nice grassy/paddy terrain where people can fly. Going outside the city limits would be much better Idea than any misadventure putting the hobby in bad light.

Guess R/C fliers across country would be jealous of the field Chennai club has