Radio Controlled Flyers And Homeowners Are Having Problems In Jefferson City

In the legendary musical play, Oklahoma, one of the plot-lines relates to the farmers and ranchers getting along with each other. There is even a song written about - can the farmer and the cowman be friends. In Jefferson City, MO, it appears the question becomes; can the RC flyers and homeowners be friends?

According to an article published in the News Tribune newspaper, a model airplane club has been flying in a location known as Miller Park for about 35 years with no apparent problems. That is, until the last several months. Local homeowners of a subdivision that was built adjacent to the park have been complaining about the noise, the possible dangers, and even the bad attitudes of the RC model airplane and helicopter operators.

It seems that about six months ago one of the homeowners showed up with a shotgun and started blasting. The article notes that this did result in worsening tension and police action against the homeowner who was wielding the 20-gauge.

Now the city Council has taken action to place certain requirements on the model airplane club if they are to continue operation in the park. Here is what was listed in the article:

• Erect a shelter at least 500 feet from the nearest residential property line with expenses to be paid by the RC Club
• Removal of the extended flying area
• Creation of a log in/log out sheet for licensed and city permitted pilots
• Installation of a post and cable fence by Parks and Recreation limiting vehicular access to the park
• The RC Flying Field only be open from 9 a.m. to sunset
• And that all homeowners of the Heritage Hollow Subdivision be made aware of the FAA's complaint procedures and penalties to pilots.

Not unlike complaints received around airports, the subdivision was created long after the model RC flyers have been successfully operating on the park property. It’s reported that the City Council will be meeting shortly with the RC model club to determine if they will comply with the requirements, or look for another place to operate.

Whether you call it an RC model airplane or a drone, the need to get along with neighbors is critically important. As the gift giving season approaches we’ll see millions of small unmanned aerial systems on the gift list. Can the drone operators and homeowners be friends?

It’s too bad that Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein are not around to turn this situation into a musical with a happy ending!

(Image from file)

FMI: Original source