RECENTLY HEARD FROM RODGER SHIPLEY
:
DON'T KNOW IF THE FACTS REGARD A NPRM OR FEELING OUT AMA! The thrust of this rumor is that the Feds are going to expell all RC turbine powered models from federally funded airports!
They consider the turbines in non-aeronautical class. However hot air balloons are not expelled since they are in an aeronautical class!! Be prepared to contact your Congressman or Senator if this becomes fact.

Skeet

No worries in our world Skeet. We have miles of runway, and full access. Thank God for Nevadas ranchers. Dry lake beds are great. Offered a few jet guys to come out, and we'd bring our slow toys down for you big dogs to have clear air, but no one wants to come out. Keep tellin us about the joinin the clubs, and going to the big fields instead. So if you all get run off we've got miles of runway we are willing to share in Cold Springs right by Bordertown, without the short runways and hassles of the club fields.

This can't be good!
JOHN

There is something to this and you will hear more about it. Evidently the FAA has taken a serious look at municipal airports which close the airspace for jet events. They feel that the full scale pilots are being inconvienced and they are threatening to withdraw all federal support for airports that do this. Events such as OMJ and Superman, as I understand it, have already been contacted. This is not good, and eventually if not curtailed will affect more than just the jets. Be ready a fight is coming....
Tommy

Why just jets? Do other RC types do not use airports?

Florida Jets, Jets over Heartland, Heart of Ohio, Top Gun, Bardstown....the list goes on?


I wonder if Buttonwillow gets federal funds :-(

I think from the conversation I had with someone directly involved in this controversy, it primary involves "events" where the airport is essentially closed for traffic for certain hours. So, yes, it will involve events such as Superman, Florida Jets, Bardstown, and any other event which is held on an public or municipal airport which recieves any funds from the federal government. It will also effect other types of rallies as well, but initially the question arose about a jet event and spiraled from there. I was told that the AMA is currently looking into the matter and seeing how they may be able to resolve the issue.
Having just come from a great event in Europe where the local economy prospered by 3000 hotel bed nights, I just cannot see any good coming from this for local communities.
Tommy

Especially SUperman, Jerry told me the town makes more from the aiport in that one week than they do from 5 YEARS of normal operation.


I bet some VIP complained cause he could not land one time, one is all it takes.

I don't beleive this. No way.
Airports close ALL THE TIME for various events. Not just modelling events. Federal funds or not.

All I am telling you is the facts as they were stated to me by people directly involved, believe it not. If you want their number I will be happy to give it to you and you can call them or contact them for yourself.
Tommy

No thanks. Let them post what they know, and stand behind it. At this point, it;s just unattributed rumor, if the Feds have this under consideration, let's see some documentation.

So, what if the airport remains open during the meet?? Are they just griping about the acutal closing or is it a larger issue of non-faa items using the airport for any reason at any time?? Russ

Russ,
I don't know. From what I have been told it was certainly an ambigious statement that came down from the FAA, so that is what is being investigated this week. Hopefully the folks directly involved in this matter will see fit to post their first hand knowledge as well as the AMA response to this. Right now, cooler heads should prevail.
Tommy

Watch how far and fast this rumor spreads.
Great, super post, nice job by the OP!

"Feds shoot down jets!"

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.

Antony, well said !

[quote]ORIGINAL: aparchment

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?

-You couldnt be more right-A very famous name that I brought up when the Orange County board of supervisors stole Mile Square park from ALL types of modelers to build a THIRD golfcourse at the park was none other than Burt Rutan who learned to fly R/C at Mile square when he was young. (on the negative side though-look how far that got us FORE) Scott

Moved to the tank. See Alert ticket : http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/tick...tmode=1&sort=0

OK.....the thread is now restored.

quote:

ORIGINAL: ghost_rider

FWIW, it is not only Jets. It is any RC related airplane activity at any Federal funded airport that would necessitate full or partial airport closure.


Well actually that is a RAY of hope, if it includes ALL rc aircraft the AMA is likely to try to intercede, As for BITW, maybe, maybe not, but we cant let them pick on JUST JETS, a closed airport is a closed airport.. BTW, i hope it is just an event thing and not a total ban on operation of non full scale aircraft at a full scale airport period.. Russ

Ghost Rider, you MAY want to close the post deleted thread now that this one is back in business.. that way all discussion can be kept on one thread... Russ

We have guys that get POed if we close the model field for a contest. Bump this up to full scale and you gatta KNOW that some weekend worriors or someone on a business trip is gonna be steaming because they can't fly that day. It only takes a few to complain. They complain about a full scale airshow as well if they can't fly. So it should really not surprise anyone that this has come up.

On the other hand if you try to keep the airport open during a meet you get some guy that wants to take everyone and his brother up for a ride and only on that day. Or some yahoo wants to do touch and goes all of a sudden.

Hopefully something can be worked out especially if it affects the economy of a community.

[quote]ORIGINAL: EASYTIGER



Watch how far and fast this rumor spreads.
Great, super post, nice job by the OP!

"Feds shoot down jets!"



Easy tiger, take a chill pill! Facts are facts. We have been fortunate because the FAA hasn't shut us down before now; with the "incident " at Prado the can of worms is open. If you want to say something constructive say it to your state or federal representative, don't shoot the messenger.

DWH

Could someone in the know please post more information about this. At what level is this ban being considered (regional, national)? Who proposed or is supporting the ban? How far along are the considerations? Are there any groups organizing to oppose it? What is AMA doing, if anything? Any verified information would be useful in assessing the situation and determining appropriate countermeasures.

Thanks.

Antony

Guys heres whats going to happen they will ban all r/c aircraft, then the AMA will offer up the Jets on a silver platter. This is how the fields were lost in Ca.I said it was comming when they started banning Jets in California for those who will be affected "Join the Club" it sucks but we are already adjusted here in Ca, dry lake beds and Full size planes for are extra cash. Paul P

We put on a show at Andrews, NC, some years ago. The airport was closed to traffic but would you believe that two full scale airplanes doing a straight in approach without calling Unicom and we had rc planes in the air 100' from those do-do's. They obviously did not read the NOTAMs. Scared the hell out of us to say the least.

Thank the Lord we have the AMA. What would we do without them?

3dbob

I will check into this. Although it would be nice, I don't think you would have to even close Buttonwillow for an event because there is no full scale based at the airport. The amount of traffic that uses the field is really minimal, you may get one touch and go per weekend but thats about it. I do have a bad feeling about the way things are going for jets lately...