Calls The Models 'Expensive Toys For Rich Boys'

ANN April 1 Special Coverage

Saying that everyone who makes use of the NAS should be paying their "fair share" for its administration, President Obama today has proposed a $10-per-flight user fee for people operating remote-controlled aircraft. White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said that the President feels that anyone who can afford to buy an RC airplane and fly it can afford to help keep the NAS safe while flying.

"They're expensive toys often operated by the top 1% of wage earners," Carney said. "We think they should be asked to pay a modest fee for their use of the National Air Space like we've proposed for most other flights."

Carney said that he understands that most RC flight are performed in uncontrolled airspace, but that safety should not take a back seat to the wishes of a small group of hobbyists. Asked how the fee would be tracked and collected, Carney said "it will be done on the honor system. We think these law-abiding citizens will realize that it is their patriotic duty to pay for the privilege of keeping America's airways safe and open."

"Patriotic duty my left foot," said an RC pilot who requested anonymity, The pilot, who was flying his electric Styrofoam P-51 from an undisclosed location, said that the proposal was ridiculous. "Ten buck a flight?" he asked. "I mean, sometimes I'll re-charge and fly this thing 15 or 20 times in a morning. I only paid $100 for the airplane. Is he serious?"

Carney said that most RC airfields are fairly well known, and that an additional 10,000 IRS agents will be hired to randomly check those fields for un-paid activity. "They'll never know when they're going to be raided, and the fines will be much higher than the fees," he said. "Yes, it may seem to be a bit extreme, but doggone it, we need the money. And when you need revenue ... you gotta call out the revenuers."

FMI: www.whitehouse.gov