Response from the Model Aircraft Industry about Attack Plot

[jorno67]

We(model aviators)are all concerned that they will focus on our hobby instead the real issues here...


M U N C I E - The Academy of Model Aeronautics is shocked and outraged by the actions of a 26-year-old Massachusetts man arrested this week on federal charges for his intent to use an RC model airplane reconfigured as a UAV, similar to a military drone, for an explosive-laden attack on the U.S. Capitol and Pentagon. The suspect is not an AMA member nor has he been confirmed as being a model aviation enthusiast.

more here:

http://www.modelaircraft.org/news/rcplot.aspx

[dtexdem]

1. And when will the TSA start requiring scans before enthusiasts can fly model planes?

;-)

[yurbud]

2. Why didn't they think of this first? It could have opened up a whole new market

for their products.

[DJ13]

3. How much explosives could a model aircraft hold anyway?

The majority already are on the knife edge of flight without adding much more weight.

I think this "plot" was as serious a threat as those guys that planned on attacking (what used to be known as) the Sears Tower in Chicago using a ladder.

[napoleon_in_rags]

4. Yep. Thank God the terrorists are always morons.

I don't see what a few pounds of anything (except nuke stuff) could do to the pentagon or any serious building.

[TheWraith]

16. That's what happens when your best and brightest are always picked for suicide missions.

Natural selection. In reverse.

[Major Nikon]

7. His plan was for them to hold 5lbs of C-4 each

I'd guess this is probably within reasonable payload limits for the types of RC planes he had.

5lbs of C-4 wouldn't do that much damage to a building and it's doubtful that it would have killed anyone unless they were pretty close to the blast.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

8. Certain designs could hold quite a lot

5 lbs would not be a problem

[Missy Vixen]

11. Are you speaking of the larger planes?

The ones I've seen at the RC park are flown by those who can afford to fork out thousands, for instance, and need special instruction in even getting the plane off the ground.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

17. Not at all....

Some of the old time Free Flight cabin designs converted to RC are cavernous and have low speed/high lift airfoils. Quaker series comes to mind with a four stroke engine, Used to do water balloon drops with mine a long long time ago.

http://www.freeflightmodels.com/pages/midway_model_co.htm


These are not to be confused with the huge RC quarter scale behemoths...many of which could also carry that kind of weight.

[Fire Walk With Me]

5. The "Patriot Act" harshly cracked down upon model rocketry, especially the sale of engines.

Mind you, we're talking balsa wood and carboard tubes, here. Oy.

[TheWraith]

15. Actually, that was because the chemical propellants could be remixed to make bombs.

Unfortunately, that's an inevitable side effect of rocket fuel.

[Romulox]

6. I own a couple of RC helis, and I am also not a member of the AMA.

Hobby this doesn't lead to TSA style scrutiny at the hobby shop! :wow:

[Missy Vixen]

14. If the other airfields around the country are like the one DH flies at

It's hard for me to believe that the person in question was not chased out the second he showed up with a plane the size he would need and refused any kind of instruction or certification. They do not allow anyone under 18 to fly without supervision, they don't let anyone fly that's not known to them.

They know who's on that field at all times. The park it's located in is locked at dusk and reopens during business hours. The RC enthusiasts, at least the ones we're familiar with, are pretty hardcore re: rules and safety.

[Romulox]

18. See, I don't like being told what to do, so I fly in parking lots and empty fields.

I just don't want to be hassled because of this alleged terrorist with the RC plane. That's what I meant by mentioning that I am not a member of the AMA, either.

[Nye Bevan]

9. What if someone flies a model aircraft into the Empire State Building?

They might be able to crack a window.

[Missy Vixen]

10. My husband is a member of the AMA

He flies a RC plane at Redmond, WA's Marymoor Park. The organization runs their RC program like the military. You MUST certify with an instructor from the club before being allowed to fly solo at the RC airfield. The planes have been "grounded" before when the President comes to town, for instance. They typically do not fly from October - March of each year because of weather issues.

I told Mr. Missy Vixen last night this will have serious repercussions for the industry. He did not disagree.

[jorno67]

12. You're correct! Plus there was already a vague blanket threat from the FAA

about possible new restrictions...I'm afraid this will just fuel that fire.

[Missy Vixen]

13. I may have to tighten my tinfoil hat

I told DH to expect mandatory background checks of RC enthusiasts.