FACE-TO-FACE
ADVOCACY SLOWLY
RETURNS
By Tyler Dobbs, Government Affairs Director | tylerd@modelaircraft.org
AS COVID RESTRICTIONS EASE UP, so does the prohibition of face-to-face meetings in Washington, D.C. and across the country. AMA is now beginning to transition from Zoom meetings and teleconferencing to in-person meetings on Capitol Hill. This is a promising sign as we move toward the opportunity of new legislation for model aircraft in the 2023 FAA Reauthorization Act. AMA participates in approximately 150 to 200 congressional meetings each year, and a similar number of meetings with various representatives and departments within the FAA.
When this article is released, AMA will be hosting a group of FAA representatives at an AMA club flying site near Washington, D.C. This model aircraft demonstration will include everything from small park flyers to turbine jets, and it will be the first introduction to our hobby that some within the FAA workgroup have ever experienced.
Hands-on educational experiences such as this are crucial and benefit AMA, as well as the entire hobby. As the FAA continues to implement the 2018 requirements for recreational pilots, AMA will continue to advocate and educate about what our hobby entails.
In addition to the aforementioned FAA club demonstration, this Washington, D.C., trip will give the AMA Government Affairs team the opportunity to schedule our first in-person congressional meeting since 2020. AMA Government Affairs Representative Chrystal Pearson will spend three days meeting and continuing to educate the appropriate members of Congress on AMA and model aviation. This education is key as the 2023 FAA Reauthorization quickly approaches.
Safety Risk Management
Clubs with flying sites in controlled airspace are currently assigned an altitude to fly at between zero feet above ground-level (AGL) and 400 feet AGL on the FAA UAS Facility Map. Some clubs in controlled airspace might want to fly at a higher altitude than what is assigned to them. In order to gain this approval, a Safety Risk Management (SRM) panel will need to be completed. During an SRM panel, two or three club members meet with AMA, FAA, and groups such as the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, EAA, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and the Air Line Pilots Association, as well as the local Air Traffic Control (ATC) representative. They discuss any potential flight risks that the club’s flying site could present to the local airspace and mitigations that can be implemented to reduce those risks. After the panel has concluded, the club will sign a Letter of Agreement (LOA) with its local ATC that states the new altitude
limit under which the club will be able to operate. So far, 100% of clubs that have participated in the SRM process have received higher altitudes. These altitudes range from 200 feet AGL to 2,000 feet AGL.
Completing an SRM panel can sound daunting for those who are unfamiliar with the process. AMA reached out to club members who have participated in a panel and asked them to give testimonial statements regarding the process to share with members and clubs that might participate in an SRM panel in the future. Following are excerpts from these testimonials:
“Without the help of AMA Headquarters staff, the District XI vice president, the support of the EAA representative, and the Deer Park Airport manager, I would not have been nearly as well prepared for the panel review. The club has flown RC safely at our site for 35 years, in the midst of full-scale aircraft operations. Our new member information packet and our historical record paved the way for our LOA approval. I simply took on the task of being the mouthpiece for our club.”
—Stan, Barons Model Club
“We believe there were several reasons for our success. First, we laid the foundation for mutual respect between all of the participating organizations, and second, we truly believe in the safety foundation our club has built.”
—Mitch and Ed, Phantom Flyers RC MAC
“My mind was set at ease when Tyler Dobbs and Chrystal Pearson from the AMA contacted me and wanted to set up a pre-SRM Zoom meeting to go over what to expect at the actual FAA SRM Zoom meeting. All together, we had two pre-Zoom meetings with the AMA. Keep in mind that if your club is requested to participate in an SRM meeting, you are not alone; the AMA will be there to help.”
—Thomas, 107th RC Flyers
“With panel recommendations implemented into the new LOA, AMA flying sites will improve airspace safety. The HOTMAC outcome was very favorable, as the panel allowed our altitude to be restored to 1,500 feet.”
—Stephen, Heart of Texas Miniature Aircraft Club (HOTMAC)
To remain current with the most recent government-related news, regularly visit the AMA Government Affairs blog. If you have any further questions or concerns, contact the Government Affairs department at (765) 287-1256 or amagov@modelaircraft.org.
