Latest from AMA on FAA/NPRM
From AMA Today December 2010 (electronic newsletter)
Update on FAA
The FAA process to create regulation for the operation of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) in the national airspace continues to move forward. There's been a lot of speculation about what will be contained in the sUAS proposed rule that is scheduled to be released as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) sometime in June 2011.
The NPRM will contain proposed regulation that will most likely have some impact on model aviation. The FAA is prohibited by law from disclosing the exact language in the NPRM until it's released in the Federal Register. However, we have been able to determine, in a generic sense, what some of the proposed language might be. The Aviation Rulemaking Committee’s report submitted to the FAA in 2009 indentifies many of the sUAS issues under consideration; however the specific recommendations in the report may or may not be reflected in the final rule. We know that the NPRM will most likely address things like how high, how fast, and where a model aircraft may fly. We know that the FAA has drawn a hard line between recreational use and commercial use.
AMA is continuing to work with the Unmanned Aircraft Program Office (UAPO) within the FAA and is in contact with the UAPO on a weekly, if not daily basis. Over the past 90 days there have been five face-to-face meetings with AMA and the UAPO staff. AMA’s internal workgroup, consisting of members with a diverse and knowledgeable model aviation background meet by conference call weekly and continues to develop standards that will eventually be submitted to the FAA for adoption that will allow modelers who follow these standards additional latitude from the rule. The foundation of our standards has always been the National Model Aviation Safety Code and its supporting documents including our Turbine Waiver Program and our Large Model aircraft Program. Recently a member of the UAPO office has been regularly attending these calls.
We're fighting a tough battle between keeping our members informed and not painting an overly tenuous picture of the future of model aviation. Not knowing exactly what will be in the proposed rule makes this a difficult challenge. And we're still working through some issues today that may be satisfactorily resolved before the NPRM is released. At the same time we need to make sure our members are aware, engaged, and prepared to react, if necessary, when the time is right.
The FAA has been invited to the AMA Expo in January. They have accepted. Our intent is to hold a roundtable Q&A session to help clarify a number of issues. This roundtable will be open to those in attendance and will also be taped and posted online. The Expo will also signal the beginning of an increased awareness campaign to keep the model aviation community as informed as possible as we move into 2011 and the eventual release of the NPRM.
– Dave Mathewson AMA President
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Comment by Duane Brocious on December 8, 2010 at 3:00pm -
"...contact with the UAPO on a weekly, if not daily basis..."
Contradicts their last announcement saying they hadn't been in contact with the FAA since September.
Are they lying or confused? Either isn't a good thing for a group that wants to run all model aviation.
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Comment by Joel on December 8, 2010 at 3:20pm -
There will be other air traffic possibly at 500'+.
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Comment by Michael Zaffuto on December 8, 2010 at 3:23pm -
I would like to see an Unlimited Unrestricted class airframe added,
Total weight of 500 grams and less, max Velocity tbd.
No restrictions for usage includes:
No license, no insurance,
not required to be in line of sight (LOS),
No altitude limits,
Ok to use FPV.
OK to have RTL and waypoint capable.
Keep the 400ft restriction only when close to airports.
Important Attributes for this definition are,
Velocity and Mass constrained for safety (same weight and speed as a parrot)
Waypoint capability an absolute must along with Return to Launch allowable
Non-Line of Sight in this class allowable as well.
Operation of this micro-lite UAV is non-commercial but will not
require a team. Owner operator, pilot is the whole team of one human.
First Person Viewing allowable, single pilot is the only pilot in command required.
Operation not limited to AMA fields....very important.
This is a now or never request...This added class is requested by ME, average joe.
I've conceeded on the size and thus ultimately the performance and capability
envelope...the only right thing to do is push it through.
This will provide a class of machine that will foster and encourage hobby development
and participation. By definition, it defines the freedom necessary to pursue these
activities at the hobby level. In no way should this request change everything that is
going on...do what you will with 2.2kg to 55lbs. I want freedom at some level...this
should be it.
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Comment by Joel on December 8, 2010 at 3:27pm
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I agree mostly Michael. Other than the "Keep the 400ft restriction only when close to airports."
There will be other air traffic possibly at 500'+.
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Comment by Duane Brocious on December 8, 2010 at 3:40pm
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I think the only thing up for change from the ARC document that is going to affect rcreational use is whether the AMA will be given CBO dominion under section 2. I think the AMA has an up hill battle proving any of the requirements set by the FAA for CBO status. Asking the insurance company if something is covered is not a risk analysis for making safety rules. The AMA safety rules are just a bunch of made up rules with no investigation or research put into them, and no oversight of those rules being followed. Rather they are concensus of amateurs covered by insurance. Take for example the sudden safety rule for huge metal rotors, that only got put in for a single rich AMA member in Fla with nothing to back it up except the insurance company said it was OK. Not the way real aviation safety rules are made. ..
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Comment by Joel on December 8, 2010 at 4:07pm
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What document includes all of these sections. I'd like to have a look at it. like "section 2"
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Comment by Duane Brocious on December 8, 2010 at 5:15pm
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Comment by Michael Zaffuto on December 8, 2010 at 5:23pm
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My recommendation above is with this ARC document in mind. Take a look at Group I models....no autopilot allowed amongst other things..and compare and contrast to Group II. Look at the requirements for sUAS teams.
That is why I want a GROUP 0, 500 gram (1 pound) and below without all of the extra team safety requirements and more freedom than Group I. A bird weighs one pound, come on now.
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Comment by Joel on December 8, 2010 at 5:28pm
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That document doesn't look bad. I hope the FAA uses this to achieve the future regulations. On thing I'm concerned about which is mentioned before any sections is:
Manufacturers which are flight testing aircraft intended to be operated for the sole
purpose of sport, recreation, and/or competition and they are tested at an approved
field as defined by and in accordance with an FAA accepted program with the
approval of the community-based association responsible for the location ..
Keep in mind I have not read the entire document
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Comment by Duane Brocious on December 8, 2010 at 7:02pm
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The "groups" are for commercial users, recreational users use sections 2 and/or 3.
My concern is that section 2 could allow the AMA to have no restrictions what-so-ever. That would make the AMA a money making, loophole, monopoly. Far too much temptation amd power for a bunch of amateurs pretending to be experts. No wonder they wanted to eliminate section 3, you would have to join the AMA to fly an airhog in your backyard if that happened.
I would have more respect for the AMA if they fought for a less restrictive section 3 for everyone and elimination of section 2. That would have been the proper thing for an NPO that says they are protecting "model aviation" for eveyone. I am ashamed to be a member, but change can only come from within.
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