Flying fields should be far enough away from residences (and even some businesses) that a well-muffled glow engine should be just background noise at worst. Like the humming of interstate traffic at about the same distance, considering that the traffic goes on all night and our models do not. At such a distance, I don’t buy the argument (just anther excuse) that it’s the high-pitched sound of a glow engine that drives people crazy. They just don’t sound the same as they do up close. If the noise is any worse than this, there will eventually be trouble, even if you had the blessings of the neighbors and the landowner. Some complainers are bothered by noise while other mean-spirited ones just don't like to see anyone having any fun.

Perhaps some of the more knowledgeable people on this forum can advise if the AMA has ever gone to bat for us noisemakers. I believe they should but I suspect that these issues never get to the legal stage. We give in because noise is a powerful argument (or a very influential excuse) and there’s not a lot you can do if the landlord kicks you out for any reason. There are laws in place and I wonder if we don’t break them, then maybe we can use them to our advantage in a handful of rare cases just to gain a victory here and there and perhaps establish precedence.

Everyone has their annoyances but sometimes I think we should just buck-up and try to get along. I like stargazing and light pollution bugs me. I even have the bumper sticker. I’ve read about proposals to limit light pollution in astronomy mags but do I expect a federal law that makes towns shut down their street lights or shopping malls to darken their parking lots? Not likely. Coincidentally, the flying field that we just lost has a huge quarry (which is also somewhat noisy even at night) next door. It’s about eight miles from my house but when I look across the valley, I can’t make out the buildings but a good chunk of the sky glows yellow from the quarry lights. I would tick me off even more if it didn’t look so cool. I guess that makes me a tolerant person whose is just tired of walking on eggs.