New avenues for flying site land
Flying Site Assistance by Tony Stillman, Flying Site Coordinator
fsac@modelaircraft.org
Hello again! A few months ago, I was part of an AMA team that went to Washington, D.C., to meet with representatives of several government offices. One group was the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The purpose of this visit was to connect with them again and discuss the needs of our model aircraft clubs and the need for land on which to create flying sites.
The AMA has a long history of clubs that currently have or had flying sites on Corps’ land. Many of these sites had ownership moved to state or county control. As a result, clubs now deal with local government when issues or concerns crop up concerning the site.
One of the items that the Corps brought up in its discussions with us was the fact that it is all about recreational activities on its land. I really didn’t know that this was such a major part of the planned use for these lands. My thinking was more in the area of preservation of land. This is really good news for us!
As our discussions continued, it was apparent that the Corps is interested in assisting AMA with finding locations on its land that would be a good fit as a model flying site. I am working with Corps officers to hopefully create a Memorandum of Understanding similar to what we currently have with the Environmental Protection Agency. It is my hope that we can work together and become another avenue that AMA clubs can tap into when they are looking for a new or improved flying site.
As I work to develop this relationship, I will share information about applying for use of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land.
In my daily telephone calls and emails with members, a common concern from the membership is flying above 400 feet. I wanted to try to help clarify this issue.
Last summer, the FAA released a document acknowledging that AMA members are not restricted to a 400-foot altitude limit. This document can be found in the Government Relations area of our website at: http://amablog.modelaircraft.org/amagov/files/2016/07/FAA-400feet.pdf.
One of the many specifics that AMA has been steadfastly protecting from FAA intrusion is the right for modelers to fly in the national airspace. The AMA Safety Code and applicable documents, such as 550 and “See and Avoid,” give clear guidance on how AMA members can safely fly above 400 feet. Congress has given us the right to fly in the airspace as long as we follow our procedures to ensure the safety of man-carrying aircraft.
It is vital that we understand that this is a benefit of being an AMA member! Congress wanted to limit everyone to stay below 400 feet. Because of the efforts of your AMA Government Relations team, we were able to convince Congress to allow AMA members to fly as we have for the last 80 years, and so allow us to exceed 400 feet, among additional benefits including allowing for aircraft that weigh more than 55 pounds through the Large Model Aircraft (LMA) program and turbine-powered aircraft through the Turbine Waiver program.
I bring this up because I still hear members say that the only benefit of AMA membership is the insurance. That is not the case! Because of these efforts, AMA members who fly aircraft that can reach altitudes above 400 feet can do so! Nonmembers are bound by law to fly below 400 feet. The same is true for allowances made for LMA and turbine-powered models.
Although it is a shame that in today’s America we have to fight with the government to protect our right to fly model aircraft, it is reality. I hope we will continue to be successful in 2017 when the FAA Reauthorization Bill is once again taken up by Congress.
AMA Expo West and East
I will be attending both AMA Expo West and East events and I look forward to speaking with AMA members about their flying sites. If you have concerns or information about a success your club has had, please find me. I look forward to meeting you!
Until next time.
