You Might Be a Model Aircraft Terrorist If...

Potential Indicators of Terrorist Activities Related to Hobby Shops (thumbnail) - Airplanes and Rockets

Consider all of the freedoms you have lost since the 9/11 attacks by Muslim extremists. Every move you make is monitored by Uncle Sam via cameras, scanners, cellphone, OnStar, credit card purchases, and your online activity. You cannot take the pen knife inherited from your grandfather on an airplane and you must submit yourself to a potentially abusive body search by TSA agents. Armed law enforcement with automatic weapons are everywhere in big cities. If you dare to criticize the government's actions, you might be tagged as a potential terrorist. The list is endless. In typical government overreaction and political correctness, everybody is abused equally regardless of whether you fit the profile of the people who have committed the majority of terrorist acts against the U.S.

Well, you as an aircraft modeler have lost another freedom: The freedom to ask questions at your local hobby shop (LHS) without being assessed regarding your likelihood of being a potential terrorist. The FBI could soon be tapping your phone and have you on a list if you don't tread carefully. Don't believe me? Take a look below at this Communities Against Terrorism flyer published by the FBI titled, "Potential Indicators of Terrorist Activities Related to Hobby Shops."

Here are some of the indicators that you might be a terrorist (and my suggestions for avoiding judgment):

  • Demonstrating unusual interest in remote-controlled aircraft

       (Act like you really don't care)

  • Demonstrating interest that does not seem genuine

       (Act very interested in R/C aircraft - uh-oh, see above)

  • Inquiring about remote controls and model aircraft payload capacity and maximum range

       (Just buy whatever they have and hope it meets your needs)

  • Inquiring about learning to fly expensive giant-scale aircraft without first learning to fly small-scale aircraft

       (Nobody has ever legitimately done that; always buy a park flyer first)

  • Possessing little knowledge of activity for which the purchase is intended

       (Everyone knows that your local hobby shop is no place to

         look for guidance when beginning in the hobby)

  • Exhibiting unusual interest or specific interest in rocket motors or igniters

       (Act like you're bored with model rockets)

  • Demonstrating no interest or enthusiasm for the hobby or sport

       (See the bullets #1 and #2 above - you're screwed)

  • Large quantity of model aircraft fuel

       (Just don't own a 1/4- or 1/3 scale model airplane)

  • Several large aircraft, engines, or transmitters

       (One per customer, please)

  • Model rocket motor igniters without adequate knowledge

       (Whatever you do, don't ask for help, just possibly blow off your fingers instead)

  • Large quantity of paintball equipment and supplies with very little information about local paintball activities

       (We need stronger paintball laws!)

  • Using cash for large transactions or a credit card in someone else’s name

       (Forget about that "This note is legal tender for all debts, public and private" thing, it's so pre-dictator)

Here is a complete list of the FBI "Communities Against Terrorism" Suspicious Activity Reporting Flyers on the PublicIntelligence.net website.

 

 

 

Posted February 15, 2012