North Las Vegas extends park hours for RC airplane enthusiasts

By Paul Takahashi

Thursday, March 3, 2011 | 2:05 a.m.

The North Las Vegas City Council unanimously voted Wednesday night to extend fly field hours for electric aircraft at Willie McCool Regional Park.

Residents and hobby aviation enthusiasts use the park’s airfield to fly radio-controlled model airplanes.

About three years ago, operating hours for the fly field at the park, 4400 Horse Drive, were changed from dawn until dusk to between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. after neighbors complained about noise from some gas-powered aircraft.

The city council voted Wednesday to return the operating hours back to dawn until dusk for electric aircraft after they were assured the smaller electric-powered planes emit little or no noise.

Darrell Stubbs, a member of the McCool Airfield Advisory Committee created to address neighborhood complaints, called the electric aircraft “virtually silent.”

“You wouldn’t know there was an aircraft there unless you were there,” Stubbs said. “This is just a simple courtesy request to allow those people who fly those smaller and quieter airplanes to fly in the mornings.”

The advisory committee — made up of three flyers, three residents and one Department of Parks and Recreation staffer — recommended the City Council approve the extended hours. The city also sought input from residents. Of the 14 written comments submitted, six were in favor of the new hours, and eight were against.

Although council members approved the extended hours, Mayor Shari Buck issued a warning to the two flying clubs using Willie McCool park: Rebel Squadron and Prop Nuts.

“These planes don’t make noise, but the flyers do,” she said. “At dawn, most people are still sleeping. We don’t want noise from your group.”

The primary users of the airfield at sunup will be students learning to fly electric planes before they go to school, said advisory committee member Paul Schmitz.

“Electric aircraft are really training aircraft; they’re easier to control,” he said. “This is a real passion for us and for the children... We need this access.”