AMA... outraged at terrorist’s plan to attack Pentagon, Capitol with RC model converted into a UAV

The Academy of Model Aeronautics ^ | September 29, 2011 | Chris Brooks

[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.

[Sea Parrot]

That one is the model of a WW-2 piker, Here is one that could easily carry double it's bomb load and triple if stripped down.

[hattend]

Well, Obama strikes again:

It gets worse for hobbyists.

I just received this from Tower Hobbies (my online supplies source)
====
Dear Tower Hobbies Customer,

Many people are concerned with new government regulations that are designed to limit our hobby industry. You've probably heard about the new FAA regulations limiting our use of R/C airplanes and proposed shipping bans for R/C batteries.

New regulations are being considered regarding model rocket motors. This may not immediately impact your particular hobby but it's just another step toward regulation of materials used in hobbies and deserves your attention.

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has recently advised that they propose to terminate a special permit under which model rocket motors and igniters have been shipped for the last 33 years. If the permit is terminated model rocket motors and igniters will no longer be able to be shipped as "Flammable Solids" and will instead have to be shipped as "Explosives."

In 33 years there have been no incidents involved in the shipping and transporting of model rocket motors and igniters.

Hobbyists need your support. Attached is a sample e-mail that we request you send immediately to express your support.

We believe that shipping model rocket motors and igniters as "Explosives" would only cause unnecessary concern for hobby shops, educators, youth group leaders and families using model rockets for educational and recreational purposes.

If you believe as we do, please send an e-mail to the Department of Transportation no later than October 10, 2011.

A sample email is below:

TO: specialpermits@dot.gov
Subject: DOT-SP 7887 Show Cause Response

Dear Associate Administrator,

The purpose of this e-mail is to request that DOT-SP 7887 be kept in force as written. The Special Permit, previously DOT-E 7887 has been in place since 1978 and is used by many of us who enjoy hobbies including model rockets, motors and igniters.

To my knowledge, there has never been an incident involving the shipping and transporting of model rocket motors and igniters. Further I believe that shipping these products as "Explosives" will create unnecessary fear and difficulty for those handling, transporting, receiving, storing, selling and using these products.

After 33 years of use, the termination of the Special Permit is unwarranted and possibly damaging to an educational and recreational product that has an excellent record. In closing, I again request the Special Permit be kept in place as written.

- Your Name and Address

[hattend]

I just sold my 108 inch scale Lancaster kit on ebay last summer.

Wish I’d kept it but I was unemployed.

[Oztrich Boy]

Acquiring the explosives probably triggered the investigation

The "explosives" were supplied by the FBI (can't have the ATF having all the fun)

[LibertyRocks]

I’m thinking it was likely WHAT he was going to put IN those *bombs*. You wouldn’t need explosives to damage a building — just the plane itself... Loaded with whatever you wanted to put in there (biological/chemical?). Low-life scum... I’m really glad they caught him.

[rightwingextremist1776]

I used to do a lot of flying but dropped the hobby when I got serious into another hobby (Muscle cars). I want to get back into it when I have the space to build again. I always wanted to go giant scale...still have a Zeroli F4U in a box waiting....good luck with your bird(s)!

[hattend]

I don’t do as much building as I used to. My job is in Alaska, my planes are in California.

Hopefully, that will change soon (still have at least a year left up here)

[rightwingextremist1776]

I hear ya. That's the only reason I don't fly anymore....I don't like any of the ARF stuff....they are OK for trainers but if you want to do scale or aerobatics you have to build it yourself. I learned a ton of building tricks from a lot of the old timers. It was like going to a university to study aerodynamics. Amazing what you can learn hanging out with a bunch of old time R/C pilots.

[rightwingextremist1776]

This is where I used to fly....nice and open.

http://www.blackdirtsquadron.org/

[hattend]

I have been building for close to 50 years (I’m 57) started with control line as a kid and then was big into free-flight through my teen years. Got my first RC at 18 and never looked back.

My first love are sailplanes, then sport scale. I only got into large scale planes when I had a friend who was unloading some of his stock. I have the Twin Otter, a 15 foot Telemaster and a big Corsair still in a box in the garage. I would have never had the time or room to build those.

I have a couple of build threads over on RCU:

Super Strikemaster
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_1538947/mpage_1/key_/tm.htm

and a Mig 29 propjet
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_2177564/mpage_1/key_/tm.htm

[Indy Hawk]

The RC jets Ferdaus was intending to use were 1/10 scale. I fly both RC airplanes and helicopters. Below is a recent video of me flying my electric powered 1/4 scale Extra 330SC, which has a wingspan of 72”, a length of 72” and weighs in at 10.14 lbs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6WjR4Sx9Bw

The 330SC could easily transport 2 lbs. of explosives. Sure, 2 lbs. of C4 won’t bring down the Pentagon, but it could still kill many people upon detonation. Also, one coule easily fly an RC airplane loaded with explosives into a crowd of people. The threat of using RC aircraft as a terrorist weapon is very real. However, my fear is that this incident will cause a knee-jerk reaction by the Obama Administration and/or Congress to heavily regulate the use of RC aircraft. Just as with guns, there are responsible owners and there are criminals.

[rightwingextremist1776]

NICE! My heart was always with scale. I fell in love with WW2 aviation when I was a kid...then I fell in love with the WW1 stuff....can’t put your heart into an ARF so I guess I gotta wait till I can build again. I do miss doing touch and goes on a sunny day though....biggest airplane I have is a Stinson with a small gas motor, G23 I think, 120 inch wing span...my first gas plane.

[hattend]

I do miss doing touch and goes on a sunny day though

Isn't that the best? I love to try to hit the same spot every time. I tell young kids at the field how much skill a touch and go entails and they just look at me funny and off they go doing the hovering thing.

I still can't hover my planes for any length of time

My biggest thrill is landing my sailplanes directly at my feet without spoilers...just an intimate knowledge of how the plane flies and how well it glides.

[hattend]

Nice plane!

[rightwingextremist1776]

My favorite! My favorite airplane is my 86" Citabria with an .75 Supertiger. That thing was right on the money. I used to fly my downwind leg in knife edge , turn final, kiss the tops of the grass and do it again. I could do that all day long.....now I'm gettin the itch back...thank you very much!

[hattend]

now I'm gettin the itch back...thank you very much!

It's what I doooo... hehehehe.

[rightwingextremist1776]

I tell young kids at the field how much skill a touch and go entails and they just look at me funny and off they go doing the hovering thing.

The young kids fly vastly overpower airplanes...heck, so do alot of adults (lol). Kids don't understand how much finesse it takes to fly an underpowered Folker DR7 in a cross wind. That is what makes a pilot.....it's the best fun you can have as well...