Originally Posted by
TimJ
Isn't it rather ironic that model airplanes are banned, but not full size?
This airport has been the source of at least a few mishaps that I recall over the past 25 years. In the 1990s there were more ultralights venturing away from the airport and flying over the community. Back then there were plenty of places to make emergency landings. At least a couple ultralights ended up tangled in trees or farmer's fields.
At an air show a stunt pilot crashed and burned on airport property. The EMTs were right there, but the man was already ashes by the time they could get to him. The wealthy widow sued the city for a huge amount.
There was also an incident where a 16 year old was taking off at the same moment that an old man was landing a recently restored biplane. They met at about 30 feet and IIRC both came out of it OK.
Paul Allen keeps a fleet of warbirds up here and we are regularly treated to the sights and sounds of those antiques. The sky above my house is busy this time of year with stunt pilots practicing their routines. There never has been a shortage of places to fly RC around here, but I was surprised to hear that the City banned it in town...but this area is so heavily invested in full scale aviation that I can see why.