Our Opinion: Let parks agency pursue a less turbulent flight plan

We encourage radio-controlled aircraft enthusiasts and concerned homeowners to work with Jefferson City officials toward an amiable resolution.

Some Heritage Hollow subdivision homeowners appeared before the Jefferson City Parks and Recreation Commission earlier this month to voice safety and nuisance concerns connected with activity from a nearby flying field on park property.

The field within Binder Park has existed for 35 years and contains the airstrip where members of the Jefferson City RC Club fly radio-controlled aircraft. The field, incidentally, predates construction of the subdivision.

In May, 45 homeowners signed a petition supporting closure or relocation of the field. Noise, safety and violations of a "no-fly zone" over the subdivision are among their complaints.

Both parties seem to agree that safety is paramount and that the no-fly zone must be respected. The Academy of Model Aeronautics National Model Aircraft Safety Code, cited by the homeowners' attorney, reads: "All pilots shall avoid flying directly over unprotected people, vessels, vehicles or structures, and shall avoid endangerment of life and property of others."

The extent of the noise and nuisance factor remains in dispute. Even some subdivision residents contend more noise is created by new construction in the neighborhood than from the radio-controlled aircraft.

And some of the complaining homeowners concede the no-fly violators may be people without proper permits, not the RC Club members. "The club members may not be as guilty as the out-of-towners," one homeowner said. "But nobody can stop the out-of-towners."

City parks officials, however, appear willing to try.

Todd Spalding, director of Parks, Recreation and Forestry, is studying methods to increase oversight at the flying field. "What I'm trying to figure out is a good system in place to where there are eyes on the field every day," he said.

We support that initiative.

The parks agency, to its credit, has partnered with other enthusiasts - skateboarders, mountain bikers, disc golfers - to create venues for their activities. Flying radio-controlled aircraft is a constructive pursuit that provides instruction in aeronautics, electronics, communications and more.

We are sensitive to safety concerns, but the entire RC Club doesn't deserve to be punished for violations committed by individuals, particularly when the offenders may not even be members.

We support giving parks officials time to examine the issues with the goal of finding a mutually agreeable solution.