I don't understand people......Posters here would rather give flying models a black eye, if the feds were to enforce TFR's, rather than follow them, show responsibility, and play it safe? I too realize a foamie or a backyard parkflyer is a stretch. It's bad enough the public sees modeling as "toys" being flown by people who refuse to grow up, so why give them ANY new reasons to think that? By not paying attention to the TFR's you are showing the same people that make the laws there IS a reason to make MORE laws controling RC. I know the SAME people saying it is stupid, for whatever other reason, to not have to listen to TFR's are the same people who will come on here and complain when they get caught and booked.

Here is an example of an encounter with my local FAA.....

If you think the FAA is fooling around with ANYTHING they have power over, here is a real life example. A few years ago I was working about a mile from Cleveland Hopkins airport setting a rooftop AC unit. No one thought to contact the FAA, the crane was only 90' tall. We weren't in any flight path, didn't pose a threat to any aircraft, AND DIDN'T KNOW WE WERE SUPPOSED TO CONTACT THE FAA ABOUT USING THE CRANE IN THEIR GROUND CONTROL RADAR "CONTROL ZONE". The crane wasn't up 5 minutes and had only made a practice swing to see if it could reach the roof curb the AC unit was to sit on, when the FAA, Cleveland Police, and local FBI rep showed up, and they weren't happy! Telling them we didn't know about the "notifying FAA ground radar" of our intentions only enraged the FAA guys. They made it VERY clear it was UP TO US TO KNOW THE LAWS, AND OBAY THEM!! We had to cancel the lift or get fined. We then had to file with the FAA at Hopkins and reschedule the lift. They DO have the power AND WILL PROVE IT if you cross them, so why not just play it safe and not fly?

And please, this is not a made up story so save the comments like it was.....



I have to add this to this post to make sure some readers can understand the point of the post....The point IS NOT the crane, its height, its location etc etc, but rather that power hungry Gov't workers can and will show off their power whether they are right or not. If you re-read the first paragraph of my post you will see that it was aimed at why test the TFR's and whether they apply to us, and the example was cited to show you won't win. If you keep the example in context, you will see my point. I never said they were wrong, questioned their power, or argued with them. I simply tried to show you should look before you leap. Just be a "good neighbor" and don't test the FAA. THEY WILL WIN every time if you confront them so why do it?! Now if you still want to comment on the crane etc, go back and read my first paragraph AGAIN, as many times as it requires to understand the point of my post......Thank You!