Summary
The following are prohibited when conducting any flights at Free State Aeromodelers Kontera Airpark:
- Wearing of any type of video goggles to pilot an aircraft,
- Using a monitor as the sole means to maintain orientation and to pilot an aircraft or,
- Using a smartphone screen as the sole means to maintain orientation and to pilot an aircraft.
All flights must be conducted using natural, unaided eyesight. Violation of this rule will result in immediate dismissal from the grounds and your membership revoked.
Why was this decision made?
Due to an incident in early 2021 involving local law enforcement and WSSC, the decision was made to prohibit FPV at our location. This decision was not easy, however, in order to secure the longevity of our flying privileges, the ban was put into effect.
The history
Early in 2021 due to First Person View (FPV) piloted aircraft, and law enforcement involvement in that activity, the officers of Freestate Aeromodelers (FSA) issued a moratorium on the use of FPV. The only flying allowed at KMA was unaided line of sight vision for the duration of the moratorium. At the end of that moratorium the Officers of FSA re-evaluated the situation and the decision was made to prohibit FPV.
We are aware that there are FPV flyers in our vicinity that are not associated with FSA. These flyers have drawn the attention of law enforcement well beyond the local police department. FSA’s airfield could end up as collateral damage due to their activities.
Please see this link for a report commissioned by the Maryland General Assembly (Md State Government). Read the entire report if you are so inclined. In particular, refer to pages 7 and 27, and note that several law enforcement agencies at the local, state, and federal level are involved: Unmanned Aircraft Systems in the State of Maryland (mdcounties.org)
“WSSC’s Headquarters building was buzzed by an unmanned drone and only observed because it flew/hovered in front of a conference room in which there was a meeting. There is a nearby hobbyist park for use of remote control airplanes and we suspect that the drone came from that location. However, we were not able to confirm.” – WSSC/Police & Homeland Security
Our best, and perhaps only way forward, should any legal action be initiated involving Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (radio controlled aircraft of any type) using FPV, is to show that FSA does not allow the use of First Person View for flight operations.
Our ability to continue using Kontera Model Airpark into the future depends on your cooperation. Any irresponsible flight practice, regardless of whether committed by FSA members or others outside of FSA’s influence, endangers our field and our ability to fly. We believe this action to be necessary to preserve or relationship with our landlord, our community, local and federal authorities.
~ The Officers of Free State Aeromodelers