Shop grounded (Looks like R/C Airplanes to be banned?)

The Clanto Advertiser ^ | March 13, 2003 | Jason Green

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

Lot's of things wrong in this story. So the visit by the FBI, et al, probably never happened.

[eborys]

Sounds phoney... anyway, I'm glad I fly RC sailplanes.
W9NM

[Poohbah]

More to the point...this guy is lying about why the store is closed.

I think we have reason to ask what he WAS up to.

[Sender]

The model fuels use alcohol and nitromethane, not nitroglycerin. They are not explosive, only flammable.

[sport]

I agree.

[pikachu]

Model rocket engines above mid-G rating are now verboten. Won't effect the Estes kids stuff (a-d rated engines) but I did love the sound of a I or J heading off the pad

[Servant of the Nine]

Lot's of things wrong in this story. So the visit by the FBI, et al, probably never happened.

I doubt this is policy, or there would have been more stories, and probably press releases from Homeland security.
Sounds like some over the top local FBI or ATF office has misinterpreted things. The ATF is Very Good at that.

So9

[KeyLargo]

Maybe the guy was just going out of business anyway.

I used to fly RC planes but I have been wondering if the various RC clubs have discussed with one another that they should be alert for newcomers to the hobby that may appear just interested in getting the aircraft up in the air and how to fly it straight and level.

[DB]

I fly electric RC planes (some flights are shorter than others ;-). This all sounds very unusual.

[freedom4ever]

I just got my first R/C plane for Christmas and it is now built with the exception of the servos being hooked up. They will be this week and I hope I get to fly it this weekend or next. I have wanted one for twenty years and my wife got me one for Christmas.

I went to an R/C plane hobby shop last week in western Ky. to pick up a new controller and they were doing a very good business. They didn't say anything about Feds stopping this hobby or anything like that. I talked to them about becoming a regular customer and buying my supplies from them. I would have no idea about this guy in the article, but it does sound suspicious.

[dead]

"I have planes and helicopters in stock that could carry a pay-load of 40 pounds or so,"

Flying 40lbs. of plastic explosives into the grandstands of a baseball game or a NASCAR event would be a pretty effective way to send a message.

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

Note the fuel used. It's not correct. It's nitromethane not nitroglycerin, it can be shipped through UPS for an additional surcharge, and does not require an ATF license. Also I don't know of any R/C helicoptors that can carry a 40 pound payload.

[dark_lord]

Guess the feds are monitoring this forum. See my post #76 here

[freedom4ever]

I just looked at the Byron's fuel I have. It is one gal. and contains 15% nitro methane.

[ARCADIA]

If we are going to start banning and prohibiting products, because terrorist may potentially use it, we are all going to end up naked and hungry. The very first thing on my list would be trucks, and then cars. But, I am sure we can work our way down to pots and pans after that.

[Deguello]

I have looked through the Patriot Act to find the details that outlines rockets and RC's. Does anyone know what section this may be found in? If it is there, is it sneaking in provisions for banning primers and reloading powders?

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

Guess the feds are monitoring this forum. See my post #76 here.

And your point is???

[TC Rider]

This guy is not dealing with the little planes we are all used to seeing.

With 40 pound payloads, it's likely he's dealing with 1/4 scale models.

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

But, from modelers in the area, his largest plane was a .40 ducted fan model. I doubt it can carry more than 3 or four pounds of payload.