Work to keep clubs in compliance continues
Flying Site Assistance by Tony Stillman, Flying Site Coordinator
Hi again! A few months ago, I wrote about AMA’s relationship with the National Park Service (NPS) and how it had assured us that it would look out for the AMA members and clubs that have created model aircraft flying sites on NPS lands. We were assured that any and all clubs that had existing permits to fly on NPS lands would be renewed and future renewals should be simple and sure.
Well, that definitely has not worked out that way—at least not for some of our clubs. It seems that we just can’t get an answer from the NPS.
Our records show that we have seven AMA chartered clubs that have flying sites on NPS lands. Of those seven, two have received permits to fly for 2015. Yes, only two!
One club, the Flying Hawks RC Club in Milford, Pennsylvania, has been flying on the Manassas Battlefield Park for many years, but this year its permit was denied. Four other clubs have yet to receive anything in writing concerning their permits.
I have been working with Rich Hanson, director of public relations and government affairs, on this since last year. We were told these permits would be okay and not to worry. So much for government support.
We are not giving up on these situations, but when you read this, the flying season will be half over, with no indication that the permit will be issued. We have made many attempts to find out what is going on and how we can get these situations resolved. We are not even getting replies from the NPS headquarters in Washington, D.C. You can be sure we will stay on this and get an answer! I will keep you posted on this situation.
In other news, I am continuing to work with AMA’s Safety and Member Benefits department on getting clubs in compliance with Section 336 of the 2012 FAA Reauthorization and Modernization Act. This is the section that has the Special Rule for Model Aircraft.
One part of this law states:
(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.)
We had approximately 1,800 of our 2,400 AMA chartered clubs return a document that was included in the chartered club renewal kit. This document requested information on clubs that were possibly within 5 miles of an airport, as indicated in the rule.
We are sorting these out, and by the time you read this, we will have contacted those that have returned the documents and will be in the process of helping those that indicated they met the preceding criteria. Our goal is to have all affected clubs in compliance with this law by the end of 2015. There is no rush or panic concerning this; we are just helping the clubs to be in compliance with the law.
If your club is affected, please make sure the officers are aware and have returned the appropriate documents to AMA. If you are unsure, contact us and we will help you determine what you need to do next. Remember, this is nothing to get overexcited about—we just need to help get our clubs in compliance with this law.
Flying season is going full speed and part of my duties at AMA is to help with the Nats. I will be out on-site almost every day, meeting with members and workers helping to ensure that the site is ready for the events and assist as I can to make the experience a great one for everyone!
When you get this, the Nats will be about two weeks away from completion. I hope you take the time to follow the action by checking out NatsNews, the daily publication for all Nats events, on the AMA website at www.modelaircraft.org/events/nats/natsnews.aspx. It is a great way to see what Nats is all about, and how you can make plans to be involved in the world’s largest model aircraft competition in 2016.
I hope to see you at the field!
