Remote-controlled airplanes banned from local airport, concerns over full-sized aircraft safety – Ban date is set for September 9th
Club members at the Bakersfield Airplane Radio Control Society are forced to cut their air time short after their remote-controlled airplanes have been banished from the Elk Hills-Buttonwillow airport.
BARKS members have sent in more than 67 letters to county supervisors to reconsider the ban they placed on remote-controlled airplanes. Supervisors at the California Department of Transportation say they are concerned that these model airplanes could interfere with real air traffic and say they fear a collision. Although there has never been an incident with full-sized airplanes before, they do not want to take any chances.
Long-time model flying enthusiasts are very upset over the decision.
“To lose the facility itself that is very unique and to not be able to enjoy the hobby there has really impacted a lot of people,” George Walker, a BARKS spokesperson, said.
Director Richard Strickland set a model airplane ban date for September 9th but BARKS members have stopped using the airport for the first time in 13 years.
A temporary agreement is under consideration.
