LEXINGTON Kentucky USA — After rocket launchings in the departure flight path of Lexington's Blue Grass Airport caused controversy, hobbyists said they have suspended future launches until another site is found.

In a statement today, the Bluegrass Rocketry Society expressed regrets about the launchings Saturday.

But, the group said, "at no time during BluesRockS Saturday launch at Masterson Station Park was there any danger to aircraft landing and departing (the airport). Safety has been and always will be the first priority for our members."

The Federal Aviation Administration had given the hobbyists a waiver permitting them to launch rockets from the park, four miles northeast of the airport and in the route of departing planes, despite opposition from a local FAA official.

Air traffic controllers rerouted planes for a time around the launches.

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government's Parks and Recreation Division said the rocket club did not have permission to use the park.

Darryl Hankes, president of the society, said in the statement: "We never fly any of our sport or model rockets when aircraft are present. WE WILL NOT FLY WITH PLANES IN THE SKY!"

"We believed we were in compliance with all the rules associated with our sport during the launch," Hankes said. "We do understand however, the perception created by the newspaper reports."

Future launches scheduled in the park have been canceled, and the group is looking for "a suitable public or private launch site," Hankes said.

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