Unnecessary rules?
Bob Brown
dobb@modelaircraft.org
In late October, U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and FAA Administrator Michael Huerta announced the creation of a task force to develop recommendations for a registration process for UAS.
The AMA, represented by Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs Rich Hanson, was one of three groups to offer comment during the announcement. You can view the press conference at www.transportation.gov/fastlane/uas-registration-announcement.
As I write this, there is some confusion as to what the government actually wants. The AMA Safety Code, Item 2, Section (f), already requires that each model aircraft must be affixed with the owner’s name, address, etc. or the owner’s AMA number (Indoor models are exempt). AMA members have been doing this for decades and consider it common practice, so I assume that is sufficient to satisfy the government’s needs.
If not, justifying some other effort would cause a considerable number of questions. For years we have told the government that our system works, and this is just one more instance. It will be interesting to see how this situation evolves. AMA members already conform; why should the government mandate more?
In early October, Rich testified at the U.S. House of Representatives hearing on Ensuring Aviation Safety in the Era of Unmanned Aircraft Systems, on October 7, 2015. Representative Frank LoBiondo, chairman of the Subcommittee on Aviation, conducted the hearing.
Others testifying included FAA Deputy Administrator Michael Whitaker; Deputy Chief, US Forest Service James Hubbard; President of the Air Line Pilots Association Captain Tim Canoll; and professor of aeronautics and astronautics, Dr. Mykel Kochenderfer.
If you would like to read the testimonies or watch the hearing, visit http://transportation.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=399335.
Snowbirds from Canada can continue to rejoice. The Model Aeronautics Association of Canada (MAAC) and the AMA recently renewed a Mutual Agreement of Understanding that allows members to fly in either country with insurance coverage. The agreement reads as follows:
“Based on the understanding and representation of Model Aeronautics Association of Canada, Inc. that MAAC insurance coverage extends to its individual members while acting in or on behalf of or within the scope of their modeling activities while at an AMA Chartered Club and/or at an AMA Sanctioned Event in the 50 United States; and further, based on the understanding and representation of MAAC that the Canadian Insurance Policy will thus apply to such MAAC members, while they are engaged in modeling activities at an AMA Chartered Club and/or at an AMA Sanctioned Event as members of MAAC in the 50 United States; and further recognizing and agreeing that the Academy of Model Aeronautics, Inc insurance coverage will not be applicable and will not provide coverage to such MAAC members in the 50 United States, and further recognizing it is the understanding of the AMA that its insurance coverage will provide coverage to its AMA members while in Canada and engaged in modeling activities, and further recognizing and agreeing that the MAAC coverage will not provide coverage for AMA participants in Canada; therefore, MAAC and the AMA hereby agree and enter into this agreement so that registered MAAC members may operate model aircraft in any of the 50 United States at AMA sanctioned events and/or join an AMA Chartered Club, and any AMA members may operate model aircraft in Canada at MAAC sanction events and/or join a MAAC Chartered Club.”
Additional information can be found at http://amablog.modelaircraft.org/news/2015/10/01/ama-and-maac-renew-coll....
The upcoming holidays present a time of joy for all of our families. It should also be a season for every AMA club to assist those who will become new modelers with the gifts that Santa will bring.
To elaborate on this, club members frequently state the need for new, young members to carry out the activities of the club. Most clubs face this problem. The drone gifts that many will receive, will produce a large number of neophytes who are eager to learn about model aviation. Immediately after the holidays, wouldn’t it be sensible to advertise instruction on the safe, fun use of drones?
This type of activity could easily be coordinated with the Know Before You Fly program. It would also demonstrate to the FAA another positive endeavor by AMA members to educate and train newcomers to the hobby. Just think, a little effort could make our hobby safe and produce additional members for your club. Sounds like a win-win situation to me!
