FAA Announces their rules for radio controlled aircraft

[acerc]

I think it said after Dec 26 it will be illegal to fly. And all 180k+ of known pilots from the AMA will have 6 days including Christmas to register? Or fly illegally thereafter...lol....gonna be a lot of LAC's not so LAC's it would appear.

@Bartman, I agree with the AMA being ineffective and if I thought it would help one iota would offer up a boycott of them.

 

[Islandflyer]

We have to fight this with every iota of resistance.
BJ Swope

The AMA was supposed to do that. This is why we pay the lobbyist.
They failed.
The major reason they failed: they refused to even try to set Model Aviation apart from drones.
Most of do realize that the regulation is targeting drones, and not us.
We are just the collateral damage of AMA's love affair with drones..
The $5.00 registration is the least of the problems: once they realize that it did nothing to solve the drone problems, the noose will get tighter, including on us as a side effect.

 

[bigblueswope]

AMEN Herve!



BJ Swope

 

[Bunky.F.Knuckle]

The AMA was supposed to do that. This is why we pay the lobbyist.
They failed.
The major reason they failed: they refused to even try to set Model Aviation apart from drones.
Most of do realize that the regulation is targeting drones, and not us.
We are just the collateral damage of AMA's love affair with drones..
The $5.00 registration is the least of the problems: once they realize that it did nothing to solve the drone problems, the noose will get tighter, including on us as a side effect.

Hate to say it, but you are right. Again, the AMA failed us, as modelers. Grouping us in the "renegade" arena with those rogue quad pilots, totally unacceptable.

Quads are selling right now. You don't have to have any formal/informal training to fly them. Here is what needs to happen..... The folks who put out the quads and such, you must register them with a legit EMail address and a legit AMA number (your own) inorder for the quad to be able to take flight. Much like registering an email address or a web account.

 

[Komet163]

First off the new section of the FAA Regs 14CFR part 48 is only outlined and is not in print at this time, they have side stepped the normal process to get this process in writing before the deadline required by the faa aviation reauthorization set by congress in public law 112-95 in 2012. Sec 336 is the section that covers special rule for model aircraft, (b) define statutory construction, ie Enforcement: pursue enforcement action if endangerment of the National Airspace system. (c) Model aircraft defined say: capable of sustained flight in the atmosphere, flown within visual sight, for hobby or recreational purposes

 

[witchfingers]

Once again, I went to the registration site for the FAA and it says "if you own a drone, you must register it". Our big airplanes are model aircraft as are helicopters. They are not SUAS's or drones. But I am for dumping the AMA simply because they keep offering the stupid magazine with mostly control line and ff articles. Everytime I get one in the mail I want to strangle myself untill I pass out!

 

[combat chicken]

AMA letter just came through E-mail. For those of you that have it go to junk mail, I'll post it:

Today the FAA announced plans for a model aircraft registration process to begin next week. AMA was a member of the task force that helped develop recommendations for this registration rule and argued throughout the process that registration makes sense at some level but only for those operating outside the guidance of a community-based organization or flying for commercial purposes.
Unfortunately, the new FAA registration rule does not include our advice. The rule is counter to Congress's intent in the Special Rule for Model Aircraft and makes the registration process an unnecessary burden for all of our members who have been operating safely for decades.
While we are disappointed with the new registration rule and still maintain that AMA members should be exempt from registration, the rule is being implemented over AMA objections. Therefore, we want to provide you with important information about the registration rule and how AMA members can comply with the new federal requirements:

• All aircraft that are flown using a ground control system, such as a transmitter, are required to participate. This includes fixed-wing aircraft, not just multirotors or drones.
• Any pilot flying models weighing between .55 pounds (or 250 grams) and 55 lbs is required to register.
• You will not be required to register every aircraft individually. You only need to register yourself and can affix one registration number to all your aircraft.
• You must mark all aircraft with your registration number. The number can be inside the aircraft, such as a battery hatch - but should not require tools to access.
• The FAA plans to launch the online registration website on Monday, December 21.
• There is a $5 fee to register, which is waived if you register within the first 30 days.
• You only need to register once every 3 years.

We are still working out the logistics for this process. Some details are still being discussed, including:

• We are seriously discussing with the FAA a system where your AMA number could be used as your federal registration number as well. At this point, this is only a proposal and details are not yet finalized.
• At this time, AMA members will not automatically be registered when the registration website launches next week. However, we are in conversations with the FAA about the best way to streamline the registration process for AMA members going forward.

This is an ongoing process and we will continue to provide updates on the registration rule. Stay tuned to modelaircraft.org/gov, social media and your email for the latest news on the registration process.
Thank you,
AMA Government Relations and Advocacy Team

Well that is a bunch of Horse s#!t. On bullet point #4 I now have to "create" a hatch to access the number on several of my birds! My GP Ultimate has no hatch in that it is an old school glow design that I have upgraded to a 50cc gasser. Where in the hell am I going to put the hatch?

 

[Flyin4fun]

Once again, I went to the registration site for the FAA and it says "if you own a drone, you must register it". Our big airplanes are model aircraft as are helicopters. They are not SUAS's or drones. But I am for dumping the AMA simply because they keep offering the stupid magazine with mostly control line and ff articles. Everytime I get one in the mail I want to strangle myself untill I pass out!

Our models ARE classified as sUAS (small Unmanned Aerial Systems) the word drone is just a term, not a classification.
ALL uSAS 0.55 lbs to 55 lbs must be registered on/after December 21, 2015 before you can legally fly.

 

[Sailor808]

I'm a little disappointed in everyone's sane responses to this jack booted draconian law that has come pass. Anyone see the fines and consequences to not putting your SS stripe on properly? Up to a quarter of a million dollars and three years in the Stalag?

Keep electing ass4oles, these are the prizes you win.

 

[Flyfalcons]

it's a mystery.

am i in violation operating an RC vehicle in support of being the host of GiantScaleNews.com?? Should I be operating as a commercial user?

the FAA is off the rails at the moment and trying to do everything they can to appear to be in control. there are so many questions one can come up with it's mind boggling.

the moral of the story though, in simplest terms, if you enjoy this hobby don't stop doing it. don't let a $5 fee take the fun out of it. the information being requested by the FAA isn't much in the big scheme of things, especially if you compare it to what your cell phone is collecting about you!

enjoy the hobby, fly your planes, and if you're doing it right nobody will ever know you from the rest of the crowd of users.

Ever hear of boiling the frog?