Hobbyists Work To Reduce Impacts Of Trump's Bedminster Visits

BEDMINSTER, NJ — Each time President Donald Trump visits his golf club in Bedminster it impacts not only local airports but also model aircraft and drone hobbyists — a total of at least 5,000 members.

The Academy of Model Aeronautics(AMA) is currently in communication with the Secret Service to work out a solution to allow hobbyists to take to the air when the President is in town.

"Security is first and foremost, we don’t take that lightly but a solution can be put in place at distances the Secret Service would determine to be safe," said Tyler Dobbs, director of government affairs for the AMA.

Dobbs said the AMA has been communicating with the Secret Service, as recently as a few days ago and is working to find a solution.

Each time the President visits Bedminster, it creates a VIP Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) that prevents manned and unmanned aircraft from flying in certain places within a 30 mile radius.

The TFR has impacted hobbyists, small airports such as Somerset Airport in Bedminster, and most recently the Somerset County 4-H Fair model plane and rocket clubs. (See Related: Somerset County 4-H Fair Impacted By Trump's Summer Vacation)

Trump’s visits have become more of an issue for hobbyists than with past Presidents due to the frequency and location of his visits.

"Presidential travel or vacations isn’t something new, but Trump’s travels are more than usual," Dobbs said.

When President Barack Obama visited Hawaii it also impacted hobbyists. However, Dobbs said there are one or two clubs in that area affected versus the 5,000 members in the New Jersey and New York City area affected when Trump visits Bedminster.

Even when Trump visits Mar-a-Lago it only impacts five clubs with at most 1,000 members.

Right now Trump is currently vacationing at the Trump National Golf Club until Aug. 18. This is the third year in a row Trump is vacationing in Bedminster. Last year he spent 11 days at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster and 18 days in 2017.

Since his inauguration, Trump has spent a total of 86 days at his golf club in Bedminster, which is more than any of his properties except Mar-a-Lago where he has spent 99 days, according to nbcnews.com.

Dobbs is hoping for a solution soon as he pointed out that the 5,000 AMA members only fly traditional and in the line of sight model aircrafts. They do not fly drones.

The AMA has been working on finding a solution since Trump was elected President in 2017 and began his frequent visits to Bedminster. After going through all of the red tape, Dobbs feels now there is finally a chance a solution may be made soon.

A solution may not be in place for this summer but maybe in time for the fall when Trump visits Mar-a-Largo from October to April.

"It is not unreasonable to say we are trying to get a solution relatively soon," Dobbs said.

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