[Blueblaze]

Somebody in the RC model airplane club that flies at the Polo Grounds crashed a tiny 5oz cub-like airplane on the vacant field west of the Polo office. In fact, it was more of an off-airport landing than a crash, since the plane was undamaged. But the club has been on probation since last Spring, when a slightly larger airplane crashed in a horse paddock, about 30 feet from a horse -- also causing no damage whatsoever, other than to the plane itself.

This club has flown from the Polo Grounds for over 15 years without a single injury or damage to property, including horses. It is insured against damage by the American Modeling Association, to which all members must belong. The planes flown are limited to 7 pounds, but 3 pounds is typical, since a pilot would have to build his own plane from balsa wood to even approach 7 pounds. Most of that weight is actually the batteries, which are cushioned by the styrofoam these planes are typically made from. While the risk is not zero, lightning is far more likely to do damage to people or property than one of these toy airplanes.

It's particularly irritating, since the Villages advertises the club in their promotional materials, and their leading competitor (Top of the World in Ocala) has a beautiful, dedicated, RC flying facility. The Polo Club claims that the polo grounds is private property, and that anyone they want can be excluded. In fact, if you check the tax records, you will find that it is owned by The Villages, Inc., not the Polo Club, or even any of the Morse relatives. Many Villager activities take place there, such as the annual balloon flight. Many other clubs use the property, such as the kite flying club. In fact, the facility would not exist at all if not for the 100,000 homes "The Villages Inc" has sold that financed it, or the lifestyle they advertised to attract those folks, which included the existence of the model airplane club.