As an event organizer/host I am very concerned that there is any truth to this rumor. If there is I intend to be very proactive and contact the folks I know at the FAA and within AOPA to see what can be done to nip it in the bud. We don't need any more restrictions on aviation. That is not to say that we don't need to operate carefully and prevent stupid or careless actions like flying into the Washington ADIZ unannounced or flying a turbine Jet without a properly configured fail safe system.

I feel very strongly that our events are pivotal in both bringing more money into a community as well as introducing people, particularly the young, to the adventure and science of flight. We should have FAA support for our events, not continuous restrictions and hassling.

Many in the FAA and for that matter in the aviation community as a whole simply don't understand that RC and full scale aviation are interrelated. The interest in flight is often spawned through models and progresses to full scale aviation. If you want proof look at how many of our astronauts, designers or test pilots flew control line, free flight or RC as kids. Models are often used to test full scale designs. From the Wrights to groups like NASA and Scaled Composites, theories have been and are tested with models. Don't the nay sayers get it yet?

Opponents of both general and model aviation do not have sufficient appreciation for the advancements brought about by aviation or for the relationship between model aviation and general aviation. If you love your hobby and you love flight, please make it a point to educate people around you about RC and aviation in general. We don't need to be viewed as a pain in the ass. We need to be seen as pioneers, explorers, business people, leaders, educators and role models who are helping to evolve a science that is integral to our lives and perhaps even to our survival.

Sorry for the soapbox rant. This type of nonsense really ticks me off.