Skylane 182/RG Turbo Skylane/RG
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 12; Flight Crew Total 2875; Flight Crew Type 810
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe
General None Reported / Taken
Airport; Human Factors
I was going to practice takeoffs and landings at the Buttonwillow Airport (L82). I noticed persons flying radio controlled model aircraft on the mid portion of the runway. This is not an uncommon occurrence and these people are permitted to operate at this airport. On prior occasions; I have had no problem with these people; they clear the runway and usually yield to aircraft; so I decided to continue my approach to the airport. I had previously checked NOTAMs for any activity at the Buttonwillow airport and there were none. I could see them clearing the area and as I approached on final they were just about clear. I was configured for a short field landing and was able to land and stop my aircraft about 500 feet from where they were standing off the runway. I did self announce on the CTAF frequency of 122.9.I made a 180 turn and back taxied to the beginning of Runway 29 which I had just landed on. I saw the people were clear of the runway and initiated a short field takeoff. As I was approaching rotation speed; one of the persons stepped right to the edge of the runway. I thought about aborting the takeoff but reasoned this would be more dangerous than continuing because it would cause me to have to go past the person as I decelerated on the ground. I continued and became airborne prior to reaching the person. I stabilized my climb and turned to the right to create distance from the person and my aircraft. When I passed the person I estimated my altitude to be 100 feet and a horizontal distance of 200 feet from the person. I continued my climb and left the area. I did self announce on CTAF.In reviewing this incident; I have decided not to land at the Buttonwillow Airport; outside of an emergency; if there are model aircraft operating. There are just too many variables that make it unsafe.
The pilot of a C-182; after experiencing a close call with radio control modelers sharing--with permission--the use of the runway at L82 airport determined he would go elsewhere in the future for landing practice if the modelers were again present.