hor air ballooning is the only sport I know where you set out to commit an offence.
I believe that there is an agrement between NUF (or whaever the National Famers Union or National Union of Farmers) or whatever it is that determines compensation.
"Several years ago the BGA and the National Farmers Union agreed a code of conduct for glider pilots landing in fields, I have reproduced that code below, it still holds good and recently the NFU have stated that they do not wish to change it. At the same time they set a maximum landing fee for both balloons and gliders of £3:50. Balloons have since exceed this figure many times over because of commercialisation, the figure was set many years ago and personally I feel £10.00 is about right now.
If your farmer demands more, refer him to his local NFU representative, you will not know who it is but he most certainly will.
If anyone threatens you personally, or you feel threatened then call the police immediately. They will not wish to get involved in a case of Trespass as this is a civil case, but in cases where you have been personally threatened then it is a criminal case and they have to.
Legally the farmer is not allowed to prevent you from leaving his property or from taking your glider with you. He may expel you by force, but no more than is reasonably necessary and not before asking you to leave. He may not confiscate or impound your aircraft, if he does he is guilty of a form of theft.
A recent case in 1998 demonstrated this fact when a court injunction was issued to prevent a landowner from detaining a pilot's aircraft.
Once the landowner has prevented you from retrieving your aircraft he has effectively taken charge of the safe keeping of that glider. It is a amazing how quickly he will agree to your removing it if you explain this to him and point out to him the value of the equipment he has just impounded.
Regardless of your reception, be polite, do not loose your temper and always return after your retrieve to thank, even the most belligerent farmer for his trouble. Make sure you take a note of his name and address and enter this in the land-out section of the cross-country book, he will be invited to the next farmers evening and you never know he might just come along. In addition, I always like to send a gift voucher for a trial lesson. If you have landed out along way from Lasham then get the nearest club to do it for you, obviously you will have to pay them but I think it is worth it. A little extra thank you for what is really a bit of an imposition for a very busy farmer.
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sofatester ?, apparently some people spend 3 grand on a bike as well, – lots of hire companies. I did from Bath Great Crescent – a truly memorable experience – you get such an view of what the landscape used to be (lines, marks etc etc) and from a new perspective.
