Daytonarc
70cc twin V2
The current version of the FAA Re-authorization act that will be voted for by the US Senate includes a hard 400' altitude limit, a requirement that manufacturers get toy planes certified by th e FAA and that we all carry proof of passing a FAA educational course when we fly. The certifications for manufacturers will surely drive many great companies out of business. The 400' ceiling will end IMAC, model soaring and many jet events and limit the ability of all of us to stay 3 mistakes high.
Please write to your Senators and Representatives. The original version of the bill passed in the House did not include much of the language that has now been introduced in the Senate so it is not too late. The H0use and Senate will have to reconcile there individual versions of the bill so we still have time but not much.
Our Senators and Representatives pay more attention to letters that are written by individual constituents then by mass copy and paste emails so please write an individual letter.
However a copy and paste is better than nothing so feel free to copy, edit, paste and send the following that I have sent to my representatives.
To do nothing is to accept that others are in control of you!
As an avid model aircraft hobbyist, a holder of a FAA Airman’s Certificate for over 25 years and a father of 4 children I beg you to protect the individual rights and freedoms of Americans and recognize that model aviation is not a threat to the national airspace. I started flying model aircraft when I was 11 years old and have loved aviation ever since. I have built model aircraft with my children, teaching them building techniques, electronics, aeronautics, physics and teamwork. Many of the country’s best pilots, aeronautical engineers and astronauts started their career with a passion that was started with model aircraft.
The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) is celebrating its 80th year. This is an organization of model airplane enthusiasts who have flown model airplanes for the past 8 decades without any problems, accidents or incidents with commercial aircraft. The AMA is recognized as a Community Based Organization (CBO) by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
In 2012 Congress specifically recognized that model aircraft, used for hobby purposes, under the guidelines of the AMA, should be exempt from restrictions on individual freedoms and should be exempt from any FAA regulations. The specific language in the The FAA Reform and Re-authorization Act of 2112 follows for your reference.
SEC. 336. SPECIAL RULE FOR MODEL AIRCRAFT.
(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law relating to the incorporation of
unmanned aircraft systems into Federal Aviation Administration plans and policies, including
this subtitle, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may not promulgate any
rule or regulation regarding a model aircraft, or an aircraft being developed as a model aircraft,
if--
(1) the aircraft is flown strictly for hobby or recreational use;
(2) the aircraft is operated in accordance with a community-based set of safety guidelines and
within the programming of a nationwide community-based organization;
(3) the aircraft is limited to not more than 55 pounds unless otherwise certified through a design,
construction, inspection, flight test, and operational safety program administered by a
community-based organization;
(4) the aircraft is operated in a manner that does not interfere with and gives way to any manned
aircraft; and
(5) when flown within 5 miles of an airport, the operator of the aircraft provides the airport
operator and the airport air traffic control tower (when an air traffic facility is located at the
airport) with prior notice of the operation (model aircraft operators flying from a permanent
location within 5 miles of an airport should establish a mutually-agreed upon operating
procedure with the airport operator and the airport air traffic control tower (when an air traffic
facility is located at the airport)).
(b) Statutory Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of
the Administrator to pursue enforcement action against persons operating model aircraft who
endanger the safety of the national airspace system.
(c) Model Aircraft Defined.--In this section, the term ``model aircraft'' means an unmanned
aircraft that is--
(1) capable of sustained flight in the atmosphere;
(2) flown within visual line of sight of the person operating the aircraft; and
(3) flown for hobby or recreational purposes.
The current FAA Reauthorization act, as amended, and as proposed does not have these exceptions Model airplanes are not now, have never been a threat to the safety of the national airspace.
The proliferation of multi-rotor aircraft, that can be flown by inexperienced and ignorant individuals, beyond line of sight, with autonomous or semi autonomous control, has caused the FAA, the media and the public to demand restrictions. These restrictions are not unreasonable however placing the same restrictions on a model aircraft, flown within the safety guidelines of a CBO is uncalled for, unnecessary and will cause great harm.
Some of the proposed legislation will require that manufactures of models certify there models with the FAA. This is ridiculous and will end model aviation as we know it. The manufacturers of our models are all small family owned businesses who provide jobs and pay taxes. The requirement of model airplanes to meet FAA certification will kill jobs and make hobby model aviation unobtainable for the majority.
Another restriction in the proposed legislation, as amended, is a 400 foot altitude ceiling. This ceiling will prohibit many types of model aviation that require higher altitudes and is a random number that has no basis to exist. Model aircraft, flown with within line of site, have existed with aircraft of all types without dangers. Many model aerobatic competitions, scale model contests and model airplane types require flight at altitudes above 400’. This arbitrary limit will cause manufacturers to closer, jobs to be lost and will not improve safety.
Model planes, flown within line of site and within the guidelines of a CBO, at a flying site, are not a problem. The proposed regulations will not do anything to stop the people who do not follow these rules. There are currently laws in effect regarding the safety of the airspace and creating a hazard is already against the law. We don’t need more restrictions of an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) that fly within the guidelines of a CBO. The people who are causing issues with “DRONES” are already breaking Federal Law and new laws, that will restrict the model aviation industry and enthusiasts, will do nothing other than restrict people who cause no problem at all,
I implore you to protect model aviation as has existed for generations in the United States. Flying model aircraft, within line of site, at a flying site, within the guidelines of a CBO has existed for generations without incident. The new wave of “drones” has nothing to do with model aviation flying within the guidelines of a CBO at a flying site.
Please do not vote for any version of a bill that does not exempt a hobbyist flying at a flight club from regulations that need to be passed to stop unsafe operation in the airspace. I would be happy to further discuss this with you and welcome you as a guest to a model flying field so that you can see the difference between “drones” and model airplanes.
The wrong decision here by our legislators could negatively impact the future of aviation in our country. Unforeseen circumstances of well intended actions have happened in the past, please do not allow a poorly thought out legislation to negatively impact our economy and future aviators.
Thank you
Please write to your Senators and Representatives. The original version of the bill passed in the House did not include much of the language that has now been introduced in the Senate so it is not too late. The H0use and Senate will have to reconcile there individual versions of the bill so we still have time but not much.
Our Senators and Representatives pay more attention to letters that are written by individual constituents then by mass copy and paste emails so please write an individual letter.
However a copy and paste is better than nothing so feel free to copy, edit, paste and send the following that I have sent to my representatives.
To do nothing is to accept that others are in control of you!
As an avid model aircraft hobbyist, a holder of a FAA Airman’s Certificate for over 25 years and a father of 4 children I beg you to protect the individual rights and freedoms of Americans and recognize that model aviation is not a threat to the national airspace. I started flying model aircraft when I was 11 years old and have loved aviation ever since. I have built model aircraft with my children, teaching them building techniques, electronics, aeronautics, physics and teamwork. Many of the country’s best pilots, aeronautical engineers and astronauts started their career with a passion that was started with model aircraft.
The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) is celebrating its 80th year. This is an organization of model airplane enthusiasts who have flown model airplanes for the past 8 decades without any problems, accidents or incidents with commercial aircraft. The AMA is recognized as a Community Based Organization (CBO) by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
In 2012 Congress specifically recognized that model aircraft, used for hobby purposes, under the guidelines of the AMA, should be exempt from restrictions on individual freedoms and should be exempt from any FAA regulations. The specific language in the The FAA Reform and Re-authorization Act of 2112 follows for your reference.
SEC. 336. SPECIAL RULE FOR MODEL AIRCRAFT.
(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law relating to the incorporation of
unmanned aircraft systems into Federal Aviation Administration plans and policies, including
this subtitle, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may not promulgate any
rule or regulation regarding a model aircraft, or an aircraft being developed as a model aircraft,
if--
(1) the aircraft is flown strictly for hobby or recreational use;
(2) the aircraft is operated in accordance with a community-based set of safety guidelines and
within the programming of a nationwide community-based organization;
(3) the aircraft is limited to not more than 55 pounds unless otherwise certified through a design,
construction, inspection, flight test, and operational safety program administered by a
community-based organization;
(4) the aircraft is operated in a manner that does not interfere with and gives way to any manned
aircraft; and
(5) when flown within 5 miles of an airport, the operator of the aircraft provides the airport
operator and the airport air traffic control tower (when an air traffic facility is located at the
airport) with prior notice of the operation (model aircraft operators flying from a permanent
location within 5 miles of an airport should establish a mutually-agreed upon operating
procedure with the airport operator and the airport air traffic control tower (when an air traffic
facility is located at the airport)).
(b) Statutory Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of
the Administrator to pursue enforcement action against persons operating model aircraft who
endanger the safety of the national airspace system.
(c) Model Aircraft Defined.--In this section, the term ``model aircraft'' means an unmanned
aircraft that is--
(1) capable of sustained flight in the atmosphere;
(2) flown within visual line of sight of the person operating the aircraft; and
(3) flown for hobby or recreational purposes.
The current FAA Reauthorization act, as amended, and as proposed does not have these exceptions Model airplanes are not now, have never been a threat to the safety of the national airspace.
The proliferation of multi-rotor aircraft, that can be flown by inexperienced and ignorant individuals, beyond line of sight, with autonomous or semi autonomous control, has caused the FAA, the media and the public to demand restrictions. These restrictions are not unreasonable however placing the same restrictions on a model aircraft, flown within the safety guidelines of a CBO is uncalled for, unnecessary and will cause great harm.
Some of the proposed legislation will require that manufactures of models certify there models with the FAA. This is ridiculous and will end model aviation as we know it. The manufacturers of our models are all small family owned businesses who provide jobs and pay taxes. The requirement of model airplanes to meet FAA certification will kill jobs and make hobby model aviation unobtainable for the majority.
Another restriction in the proposed legislation, as amended, is a 400 foot altitude ceiling. This ceiling will prohibit many types of model aviation that require higher altitudes and is a random number that has no basis to exist. Model aircraft, flown with within line of site, have existed with aircraft of all types without dangers. Many model aerobatic competitions, scale model contests and model airplane types require flight at altitudes above 400’. This arbitrary limit will cause manufacturers to closer, jobs to be lost and will not improve safety.
Model planes, flown within line of site and within the guidelines of a CBO, at a flying site, are not a problem. The proposed regulations will not do anything to stop the people who do not follow these rules. There are currently laws in effect regarding the safety of the airspace and creating a hazard is already against the law. We don’t need more restrictions of an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) that fly within the guidelines of a CBO. The people who are causing issues with “DRONES” are already breaking Federal Law and new laws, that will restrict the model aviation industry and enthusiasts, will do nothing other than restrict people who cause no problem at all,
I implore you to protect model aviation as has existed for generations in the United States. Flying model aircraft, within line of site, at a flying site, within the guidelines of a CBO has existed for generations without incident. The new wave of “drones” has nothing to do with model aviation flying within the guidelines of a CBO at a flying site.
Please do not vote for any version of a bill that does not exempt a hobbyist flying at a flight club from regulations that need to be passed to stop unsafe operation in the airspace. I would be happy to further discuss this with you and welcome you as a guest to a model flying field so that you can see the difference between “drones” and model airplanes.
The wrong decision here by our legislators could negatively impact the future of aviation in our country. Unforeseen circumstances of well intended actions have happened in the past, please do not allow a poorly thought out legislation to negatively impact our economy and future aviators.
Thank you
