I think I skimmed over this whole thing and it seems that there is a very big picture alot of people are missing, she said a key word, "park ranger". As far as I know, and I've been busted by a "park ranger" offroading in illegal areas, they are government officials, they do carry a side arm and are the national parks and rec department enforcement. When I was "stopped and sited" the ranger could care less about me and my friend trespassing, all he cared about was the wildlife impact, and I really do see his point and respected it and still do. But where did this park ranger get the athority to grant permission for model aviation flying from? I see all sides and play out many scenarios, let's just pretend that the model cub hit the chopper and nothing happened to the chopper, the guy flying the chopper would have some explaining to do and eventually he would be fined after the incident repot was filed and probibaly get fired, FAA would investigate and find the model airplane fliers and single out who did it and fine them for endangering life and limb. Plus the pilot would be pretty ornate about it and maybe even seek out who ever flew into the heli and costed him his job. The park rangers would be questioned and if they were found guilty of breaking the rules they would see fines and penelties too, and all model aircraft activity would be banned from all parks in the area, only reserved registered flying sites would be a safe haven for modelers. I'm pretty sure that if you did or anyone does hit a news chopper, there would be a story on the 5 o'clock news about dangerous model aircraft fliers and the havoc they reap on society. So it's a lose-lose scenario, and if the chopper goes down because of it, forget it, all model activity will be policed to the "T" in that county or even banned. In fact, I would almost be 100% positive that everybody would be fined heavily from the model aircraft pilot/owner all the way to the park rangers and their supervisors, not to mention the pilot if he lives the crash.
This is just the way it all plays out in real life, you may ask who is at fault, but the simple fact is everybody will be at fault and pay, just avoid full size if the moment arises, if they intentionally circle back and continue to endanger lives on the ground, get the nc numbers and report it to the local air traffic controllers and the athorities. note the time and estimated altitude with location. I could be wrong and this is going to get some fired up but in general, we will all lose if someone hits a full size anything carrying human life.