In the end I believe it is noise that is to blame. Apart from the fact that some people seem to hate seeing grown-ups having fun at a flying field, it is noise that allows people to file complaints with authorities.

There is no coincidence that densely populated Germany is leader of the pack when it comes to electric flight. For many years German model flying clubs have had to fight against environmentalists, flying field neighbors and authorities in order to keep their flying fields. In the end the only way forward was to go electric and thus reduce noise quite a lot.

Those of us who love to fly with engines (gas, methanol, diesel) will have to accept the fact that in the order to keep our flying fields we will have to become less noisy. If in the public mind, model flying becomes too firmly connected with "noise pollution" I am afraid that we are fighting a losing battle.

/Red B.