KELOWNA – A dispute over model aircraft is going to BC Supreme Court.
The Kelowna Ogopogo Radio Controllers, a group of model aircraft enthusiasts who fly from a cow pasture in Lake Country, are involved in a noise dispute with the District of Lake Country.
The municipality says there have been hundreds of complaints from area residents about excessive noise from the model planes.
“People complain regularly about aircraft buzzing by,” says Mayor James Baker.
The club says most of its members fly electric powered aircraft, which are virtually noiseless.
Planes using gas-powered engines are louder, but the club says it tests them to make sure they are in compliance with municipal noise by-laws.
The club moved to the site two years ago.
It received the approval of Transport Canada, Nav Canada, the ALR and Lake Country.
Now the municipality has changed its position.
It is asking the club to apply for a temporary use permit, which would allow the town to impose restrictions on when the models could be flown.
“We’re very unhappy with that. It takes away any long term security and we would exist at council’s whim,” says club vice-president John Falconer.
The two sides have not been able to reach an agreement, so the municipality decided to seek an injunction in court.
Lake Country has already spent over $10,000 in legal fees.
The club says it doesn’t have the money to hire a lawyer, so it will defend itself.
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