Posted on 09/29/2011 12:54:00 PM PDT by hattend
M U N C I E - The Academy of Model Aeronautics is shocked and outraged by the actions of a 26-year-old Massachusetts man arrested this week on federal charges for his intent to use an RC model airplane reconfigured as a UAV, similar to a military drone, for an explosive-laden attack on the U.S. Capitol and Pentagon. The suspect is not an AMA member nor has he been confirmed as being a model aviation enthusiast.
“When an otherwise safe and wholesome hobby becomes the focal point in a planned terrorist attack, we are as outraged as all citizens,” said AMA Interim President Mark Smith. “Like all Americans, we appreciate the professionalism of the FBI in this case. The AMA’s 143,000 aeromodelers throughout the country pledge to keep a vigilant eye in their communities on any suspicious activity involving RC aircraft.”
To read the FBI’s affidavit on the case, go here. To read the media release from the Department of Justice, go here.
Rezwan Ferdaus, a U.S. citizen from Ashland MA, and a physics graduate from Northeastern University, was arrested after lengthy monitoring and a sting operation by the FBI this week. Ferdaus had acquired three RC jets, an F-86 Sabre and two F-4 Phantoms, plus explosives and cell phones wired like IEDs. He kept them in a storage facility to work on. It isn’t known at this time if Ferdaus was able to fly the airplanes or if he had assistance. The public, according to the bureau, was never in danger.
Though Ferdaus’ plan was to convert a commercially available model aircraft into a GPS-guided unmanned aerial vehicle, there is a strong distinction between a hobbyist’s model aircraft and UAVs designed for commercial or military use. “Modelers everywhere are outraged by the literal highjacking of model aircraft for such a nefarious purpose,” said Rich Hanson, AMA’s Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs representative and former Vietnam helicopter pilot. “Our 143,000 members follow a strict safety code, always fly within site, and remain clear of frangible property or people. When we hear this sort of item and activity labeled as a ‘model’ we are concerned that our recreational and educational hobby is being misrepresented.”
To date, the FBI has not released photos of the actual RC airplanes, only photos such as below of models that are “similar.” “The public will see these photos and think ‘model” when it is the internal configuration, capabilities, and use of the plane that defines it,” continued Hanson.
This subversive plot has also been condemned by the National Aeronautic Association. “The Academy of Model Aeronautics and its 143,000 members are the embodiment of education, professionalism, hobby pursuit, and friendly competition in the United States,” said Jonathan Gaffney, president and CEO. “While this individual has never been associated with the AMA or modeling, we have the utmost confidence in AMA to work with the authorities in any way possible to assist in this investigation.”
The Academy of Model Aeronautics is celebrating its 75th year in 2011. For generations it has posted what is arguably the safest record in all of aeronautics while providing a hobby and sport which has been the incubator of numerous luminaries in aviation and aerospace.
It's almost time to to break out the baseball bats and "swing away".
If a full size jet couldn’t destroy the pentagon, what damage is a 1/100 scale model going to do and how much “payload” could it carry. Seems like bs to me.
Could that toy really have held that much explosives to do any damage?? I mean, you’d probably would have be better served shooting bottle rockets at the buildings.
Now, it's a "terrorist weapon).
Will they require Federal Licensing/Database for all RC Modelers now? (They will if they can gain revenue from Fees and Inspections, etc.)
How about hot air balloons, model rockets, or even sling shots and bows and arrows? They're all potential Terrorist Weapons.
It's about "who" first.
There is no mention that this guy had any skill in flying one of these either. Chances are he would have been more effective using a home made potato gun. ;-)
The Pyrotechnics Guild already has ATF(E) up their butts over home made fireworks.
I have a 17 foot span Twin Otter that could lift 30 pounds pretty easily. I also have a 15 foot trainer that could lift much more than that.
Is this overblown? Could be. Could it be used as a wedge to get the FAA to control model aviation? With this regime, need I ask?
They keep calling him a MA man, Shepard Smith on Fox just gave a report, again MA man.
He is a MUSLIM Islamic that wants to kill us.
Don't give the TSA or Big Sis any ideas
Acquiring the explosives probably triggered the investigation. The problem is that the government will indicriminately investigate and regulate everything else associated with RC controlled devices (or anything esle for that matter). An unarmed RC device has virtually no potential to be used as a weapon.
The precautionary principle is just another excuse for the government to steal more of our liberty.
US Muslims will bring a total change to American society so that it will resemble just another muslim country in the end.
The question that the American people should ask themselves is: “Do the benefits that Islam bring to our society, if any, outweigh the loss of our precious freedom?”
You got it, my FRiend.
Pictures?
This world would be a lot better if CAIR and other Islamic organizations were as quick and clear in voicing their disapproval of terrorists using Islam to plan terror attacks as the model aircraft people were in terrorists using model airplanes.
Sorry, can't think of one.
None available
The one provided in the article above is “similar”
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