AMA CONTINUES TO SECURE HIGHER ALTITUDES
By Chad Budreau, AMA Executive Director | chadb@modelaircraft.org
BECAUSE OF AMA’S robust safety programming, we have an impeccable 87-year safety record, including operations above 400 feet. Despite this proven track record, many lobby in Washington, D.C., that all RC hobbyists should be limited to altitudes of 400 feet. Although 400 feet might be an acceptable altitude for many RC hobbyists, AMA members who fly Soaring, large model airplanes, turbines, aerobatics, and more, need higher altitudes to safely enjoy this hobby. AMA is successfully granting hobbyists pathways to continue to fly safely and responsibly above 400 feet.
For the past couple of years, AMA has been advocating directly to the FAA through Safety Risk Management panels to secure our clubs in controlled airspace altitudes up to 2,000 feet. AMA is working with individual clubs as we prepare our case to secure higher altitudes. Our success rate has been 100% in securing higher altitudes so that we can continue to enjoy this hobby.
If your club is in controlled airspace and you need higher altitudes for RC operations, please reach out to your district vice president or email amagov@modelaircraft.org.
This is just one step of many in AMA’s strategy to officially secure higher altitudes. In March 2023, AMA announced that we had finalized a process with the FAA to provide higher altitudes for AMA sanctioned events in uncontrolled airspace. Effective immediately, the AMA sanctioning process will now include an assessment for operations to be approved up to 700 or 1,200 feet. We anticipate that these higher altitudes will be provided to most of our sanctioned events in uncontrolled airspace.
To sanction an event, you or a club member need to be a contest director (CD) or event manager (EM). AMA’s CDs and EMs play an important role in supporting and ensuring the safety of our hobby. To learn more about becoming a CD or EM, visit www.modelaircraft.org/events/become-an-organizer. You can also contact our Competitions department at (765) 287-1256, ext. 252, or email competitions@modelaircraft.org.
CDs and EMs wanting higher altitudes are encouraged to apply for a sanction as they always have, using AMA’s online sanctioning portal. Traditionally, most sanctioned events are submitted as a Class C event, but CDs and EMs should review all of the different sanction classifications in the AMA Contest Director Guide. For example, a smaller club event might only need to apply for a Class B sanction, which will be considered for a higher altitude.
AMA asks for a minimum of 30 days to process sanction applications. This process will now include an assessment to determine higher altitudes.
Learn more and read our frequently asked questions at https://amablog.modelaircraft.org/amagov/2023/03/08/ama-sanctioned-event....
Securing altitudes up to 2,000 feet for clubs in controlled airspace, through safety risk management panels, and altitudes up to 1,200 feet at sanctioned events in uncontrolled airspace, are just a few of the steps in AMA’s overall strategy. Our work is not done. We recognize that some disciplines, such as Soaring, will need higher altitudes at sanctioned events. We are also working to advocate for higher altitudes elsewhere.
Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the First Nats
Because this column included so much discussion on sanctioned events, this is an opportunity to remind everyone of AMA’s Class AAAAA sanctioned event: the Nats! There are a lot of great plans in the works to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first Nats this year. This is also the 50th anniversary for many Special Interest Groups and events, including the Precision Aerobatics Model Pilots Association and the Miniature Aircraft Combat Association.
The National Free Flight Society will be hosting the Mulvihill family during the Nats. Bernard Mulvihill was instrumental in the success of the first Nats, introducing the Mulvihill trophy, which is present in the 2023 Nats logo.
If you haven’t attended the Nats before, this is the year to watch or participate! Learn more at https://nats.modelaircraft.org.
