Hey Matt,
You're in luck since I was one of 5 people that helped write SC550 for the AMA. First thing first. Have you flown RC before and are just now getting into FPV? Are you starting RC all together? If you're just starting RC the club as a whole can help with that. We can help with flight training and get you going. I'd encourage you to become proficient with radio control and your plane before even attempting FPV. They really are two different monsters.
As far as FPV I'm pretty much the resident expert out there. I'm currently flying on 2.4ghz RC and 900mhz for video so I think we'll be the only folks conflicting with each other. Frequency allocation must be on a FCC approved band, with no overlapping bands (aka on board 2.4g control with 2.4g video). If you're using 72 you'll have to coordinate with others out there. Just make sure you're not on the same frequency as another person. If you are just work with them while out at the field. We do have a frequency board that's collecting dust. Most everyone at the field is on 2.4ghz.
Currently flying my Skywalker via FPV and usually I'm out there on the weekends. Usually when I fly I have one of the guys out there spotting me. As you know this is for everyone's safety, including your own. We're a pretty active field so there may be others flying while I'm flying FPV. Since FPV'ers are under the hood they can't see other aircraft that may be endangering them. As SC550 mentions, the flight zone is restricted to the fields boundaries. This limits flying to South West of Bull Run Post office. North West of the foul line, and North East of the Battle Field NP. This is due to a residency on Bull Run Post Office Road, no flying behind the foul line (except for turn arounds), and flight restrictions over the Battlefield NP. As SC550 mentions you must remain in visual contact so that will limit flights to line of sight (LoS). We
can not honor long range flying due to AMA rules and flying site limitations.
Although some of this seems pretty restrictive we are obligated to follow the AMA's code as conditions of our lease with Fairfax County. Since this is a new FPV site for me, I'm still getting used to it. Poplar Ford is a great FPV training site. Even with the restrictions, the circuits I fly are pretty enjoyable. This past weekend I broke away from the normal and started following folks around the field. Plus I displayed my FPV plane at the past NVRC meeting. Hopefully flying FPV at the field I can spark a few more interested folks. Especially for those who are younger or can not afford flying full scale.
If you have any questions feel free to send me a PM here and I can give you my email. I helped start the FPV forum on RCGroups and I'm a active member on there. Either location you can usually ping me. Here's a few links for you to browse.
RC Groups FPV Forum:
http://www.rcgroups.com/video-piloting-fpv-rpv-469/AMA SC550:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=945685Poplar Ford Park (including map of park boundry):
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/plandev/poplarford.htm--Scott Fuller
