Morning all, glad to have found these forums as I have so many questions about farming and use of land that I find it very difficult to get answers to. The current question on my mind is how much profit does someone make out of wheat (or any other crop for that matter) and whether it is practical for me to rent a field.

I'm not a farmer and I have nothing to do with farming but I do use farmer's fields (always with permission) to fly from. I fly a paramotor (paraglider wing, engine strapped to your back, run like hell) and because we are slow in the air we don't tend to use established airfields preferring a nice grass field instead.

The fields I fly from at present are mostly sheep fields, sometimes stubble, and I am deeply indebted to those farmers that allow me onto their land and generally don't ask for a penny in recompense, but it's nearly always 'just you', and 'don't bring all your mates', which I fully understand and appreciate. We have a small club running now (Yorkshire Owls Paramotor Club) and what we need is a club field that any of us can turn up to when the weather is nice to go flying. We only have 12 members, but we have a small reserve of cash now as we've been going four years but quite apart from finding the right field, can we afford it? And that's why I want to know how much profit is made on an arable field?

All comments appreciated. And yes, we are noisy and slow, and don't want to go anywhere near planning permission!

Regards,

Edward Cunliffe

York, UK

I doubt you'd need to worry about planning permission as long as the field wasn't used for paramotoring for more than 30 days a year. I have a friend who rents the top of his field as an airstrip to a chap with a Cessna 172. It doesn't affect his SFP/ELS either as he doesn't fly more than 28-30 days a year. But obviously this strip is out of production so to speak so he pays rent on it it accordingly.

As far as field chopice is concerned, I'd stick to grass fields if I were you. Arable fields will either have crops growing in them when you'd wnat to be flying or they'd be stubble which may not be too comfy if you fell over on landing! Grass is a bit more forgiving!

As for rent, each to his own there. If it was me, I'd probably just let you carry on as long as you tidied up after your self. In fact I'd probably get involved myself, looks good fun! But find the right farmer and slip 'em £20-30 for the day and leave the field as you found it and I doubt there'd be a problem.

Stratosphere:

we don't tend to use established airfields

Have you considered disused airfields?

Thanks for the reply Cornish, no doubt we'd use anything more than 30 (28 days for change of use isn't it?) days in the year but even if we did I don't suppose it becomes a problem until someone complains and brings it to the notice of the planning people anyway. Interesting point about SFP/ELS, I hadn't heard of ELS (Entry Level Stewardship I think?) but will see if I can get some clarification from Defra on whether payments would/could be affected.

Yes grass is definitely best, stubble is fine as long as it's fairly dry underfoot. Point well made about falling over!

I think one of the reasons our friendly farmers aren't asking for money is so they can tell us to bug*** off at any moment. We're always very careful about closing gates and leaving no mess, finding the right farmer is the key!!

Cheers,

Ed

Hi Tesla, yes a disused airfield would be good, two near me, one has a Tesco on it, the other a karting track. We've flown from a little bit of grass next to the kart track a few times but they've just put a bloo** big bit of crash barrier right through it now ...

I really think renting is our best option but I don't know if we can afford it. A hectare would be enough (and obviously I'm secretly hoping someone local (York) will pop up on here and offer us the perfect field ... you never know ...)

Cheers,

Ed

Disused bits of airfield at Tockwith owned by local farmers I'm sure. Not the bits that are currently used either.

1ha puts you in competition with pony owners not farmers. Pony paddocks are c£20/ac/wk.

Thanks Tesla, it was Tockwith I've flown from a couple of times, the karting guy was very happy for us to be there but then they removed the little bit of grass we were using when they changed the kart track. It's best if we don't take off from tarmac as it can damage the wings unless we're very very careful.

I'll go and have another look at Tockwith but it was all in crop last time I was there.

Cheers,

Ed

Sorry, I thought from earlier post that old airfield tarmac would have been suitable.

Perhaps then get in touch with a model aeroplane club as they often have suitable grass. It would be like a football groundshare.