TTF Rules Affect RC Model Flyers

A member of the Madera Aeromodelers Radio Control Society (MARCS) informs ANN that they no longer have access to Madera Airport in CA because of Through The Fence rules.

"We were informed this week that we no longer have a flying field at the Madera Airport," wrote John Damiano, a founding member of MARCS, in an e-mail to ANN Saturday. "We have been flying there for over 25 years as an AMA sanctioned club with no problems. It has been a wonderful community resource and we have interested many local youth and individuals in modeling and aviation."

Damiano said that many of those youth have gone on to obtain pilot certificates.

"The loss, as I understand it, was caused by DOT/TSA informing the airport they can no longer allow access to the field," he continued. "I am pretty sure there are no targets of interest in range of our radio control aircraft here in Madera.  I doubt there is an appeals process to this closure.   The FAA mandated TTF (thru-the-fence policy) is not negotiable in this case."

Damiano says the club has started working to find another place to fly. "Its pretty flat around here in the San Joaquin Valley," he said. "One of the great things about our field was its central location to the area communities and the size of the runway (25/7) we have been able to use.  Any type of RC aircraft could be accomodated here including turbine and large scale RC aircraft."

FMI: www.maderarcclub.org