Emergency services scrambled for model plane crash!

I had no idea there were so many regulations as far as flying RC models were concerned but once you think about it,it makes sense. I still feel sorry for the poor bloke who a) crashed his RC 747 and b) had to answer questions stemming from a police investigation.

Actually, I only just found out the plane did not even crash! It was a normal controlled landing on the beach. Of course try telling that to the sad geezer that reported a real 747 crashing into the sea!

Do not know if the bloke already has his plane back. He will get it though, I am confident of it. There is no reason for the police to keep hold of it. Chances are the police would much rather get rid of it because it takes up quite a bit of space in their garage!

I had no idea there were so many regulations as far as flying RC models were concerned but once you think about it,it makes sense. I still feel sorry for the poor bloke who a) crashed his RC 747 and b) had to answer questions stemming from a police investigation.

Some more details on this “event”:

The following units where scrambled:
16 fire engines
4 ambulances
1 emergency response motorcycle
1 medical duty officer (coordinator)
1 medevac helicopter
a dozen or so police officers

This does not include the units placed on stand-by.

Check for more photos here:
http://www.brandweer-beverwijk.nl/Inzet/2006/Maart/4-3%20vliegtuig%20wijk%20aan%20zee.htm

you have to have a licence to flay scale models, when i flew models there was a guy with a lancaster bomber it had a 12ft wingspan and he had to have a licence.

I used to fly r/c models extensively “as a lad” and recall you were always covered by specific CAA regulations which govern where and when you can fly model aircraft of any size.

In practice, it broke down into 2 sets of regulations – simple ones for small models meant observing some fairly common sense CAA regulations about avoiding people and property and of course avoiding any restricted airspace.

Model aircraft clubs and flyers at regular sites would involve the local ATC to let them know where and when they flew and would usually be given a blanket clearance to fly there at any time. The ATC would, in turn, notify low-flying “real” pilots to avoid these areas above flying clubs by routing them above the agreed ceiling for model aircraft, which i think was 500ft (which is a heck of a lot for a small model plane – it would be well out of sight by then).

I do know that model flying clubs have in the past succesfully gotten real pilots disciplined by the CAA for invading the models clubs airspace !!

more complex regulations involving ATC clearance for model planes above a certain weight (which i think was about 20 pounds in weight) – this meant the same regulations as above, plus the model had to have a failsafe system -usually this meant on-board electronics which could detect loss of signal from the transmitter and would command the plane to fly lazy circles until the fuel ran out.

Very large models above a certain weight (50 pounds i think) were treated exactly the same as real aircraft and needed all sorts of certification from the CAA which involved detailed reports of how it was built, of what materials and what safety and backup systems are aboard. For instance, very heavy models are often required to have a safety parachute which can be deployed
remotely if loss of engines / control is experienced and also dual radio systems was sometimes a requirement.

I do know that the model flying governing bodies work closely with the CAA to determine standards and guidance to make all this as painless as possible for the builder of large models.

I’m reminded of a clip of a guy flying a huge B-52 model plane, complete with gas turbine engines. It crashed too and it was like a real crash site with debris all over the place.

you have to have a licence to flay scale models, when i flew models there was a guy with a lancaster bomber it had a 12ft wingspan and he had to have a licence.

Could someone explain to me why this poor guy was taken into custody! Isn’t it bad enough that he just lost what had to be an incredibly expensive toy?

I would imagine a model that big would have to abide by the rules of local ATC. Perhaps the ‘pilot’ was flying in an area he shouldn’t have been? Just a thought.

Paul

Could someone explain to me why this poor guy was taken into custody! Isn’t it bad enough that he just lost what had to be an incredibly expensive toy?