Change ... life’s reality
From the Copilot’s Seat by Gary Fitch, Executive Vice President
It is late November as I write my column for the February issue. One thing I have learned in life is that nothing stays the same. Change is a common denominator in everything. We are successful because we are willing to change and adapt. As much as we wish we could be the simple organization that we were even 10 years ago, change in government and state policies force us to evolve.
Because my column is bimonthly, this is my first chance to weigh in on the Department of Transportation (DOT)/FAA registration issue. On the surface, last November and December were not great months for model aviation. Secretary Foxx of the DOT, along with the FAA’s Michael Huerta, mandated that small unmanned aircraft need to be registered, and they formed a task force to recommend the criteria of such registration.
No organization had input into whether registration would be required. It became a government mandate, which they say is because of safety concerns in the national airspace. This change caught AMA by surprise, and we scrambled to make certain our voice would be heard. DOT/FAA invited 25 organizations and major businesses to take part in the task force, including AMA.
AMA was well represented by our most experienced person in government affairs, Rich Hanson. We acknowledged that registration makes sense for commercial, industrial, governmental, and military drone applications. We strongly argued against the inclusion of model aviation, especially when flown by the rules of a community-based organization, per Public Law 112-95, Section 336, and that AMA fliers should be excluded from the registration process.
The task force made this statement in its report: “Although there were often very divergent views and some decisions were not arrived at unanimously, the Task Force reached general agreement on their recommendations to the FAA with the frequent use of votes.”
AMA was one of those divergent views, but most of the task force felt otherwise and made the recommendation to the DOT/FAA that all unmanned aerial systems that weigh 250 grams (.55 pounds) up to 55 pounds will require registration.
AMA formally wrote to the task force leaders, as well as to DOT and FAA with our objections to registration of model aircraft. Our opinion was also printed in a USA Today article. DOT/FAA might accept all, some, or none of the task force’s recommendations.
We are continuing our efforts with the FAA concerning AMA registration. I can’t release details because at this writing, we don’t know yet what will happen. I do know that if you didn’t send your response to the FAA during the 30-day response period, you have no reason to complain about registration.
We did have a win in the task force recommendations to DOT/FAA in that only the pilot needs to register, and individual aircraft that weigh a half a pound or more need not be registered separately. Also, there were no further onerous regulations recommended by the task force.
We are against our members having to register at all, and you must understand that this is a government mandate. Please stay informed by watching your email and checking AMA’s website!
I had the opportunity to attend the 40th anniversary of Walt’s Hobby Shop in Syracuse, New York. Walt and Jan Throne started this family business in their home, based upon providing a high level of service and advice to modelers, and to support their local clubs.
Today, Walt’s son, Bruce, and his wife, Mary, own the business. It is located in a modern facility that has, in addition to a great hobby shop, an indoor car track, which also doubles as an indoor helicopter flying area. The 40-year longevity of this hobby shop parallels any successful business. They were able to change and adapt their facility and product offerings, meeting the wants and needs of their customers—from plastic models to RC fixed-wing aircraft, to helicopters, cars, rockets, trains, and now quadcopters. They are terrific people to deal with and it is a fun place to visit!
As a side note, AMA continues to support our hobby shops and has just changed the level of reimbursement—increasing it—when they enroll new AMA members in their shops.
I had the opportunity to fly at a biplane fun-fly sponsored by the Ithaca Radio Control Society near Ithaca, New York. This has become an annual mid-September event, and is growing in pilot turnout. The event is a sanctioned, low-key fun-fly and any size biplane qualifies. For me, this event is a pleasant change of pace and a chance to be with a great bunch of fliers. It is worth checking out.
As we gear up for a fun and successful 2016, please help secure our future and take a youngster flying! This is one change we should never make.
Thanks for reading!
