FAA Looking To Clamp Down Heavily On Model Aircraft
Posted on February 18, 2010 by aaronredbaron
Have you read the FAA recommendation for sUAS (small unmanned aerial systems) from April 1, 2009? If you like model airplanes you might want to, because the US government is trying to restrict your rights as a modeler. Please click here to read it, and read it thoroughly. While we as modelers have always had some restrictions, never have we faced such a huge clamp down from the federal government.
This is how the government defines us.
“Model Aircraft:
A sUAS used by hobbyists and flown within visual line-of-sight under direct control from the pilot, which can navigate the airspace, and which is manufactured or assembled, and operated for the purposes of sport, recreation and/or competition.
Visual Line-of-Sight:
Unaided (corrective lenses and/or sunglasses exempted) visual contactwith aircraft sufficient to be able to maintain operational control of the aircraft, know its location, and be able to scan the airspace in which it is operating to decisively see and avoid other air traffic or objects…
Model Aircraft are limited to unaided visual line-of-sight operations. The Model Aircraft pilot must be able to see the aircraft throughout the entire flight well enough to maintain control, know its location, and watch the airspace it is operating in for other air traffic. Unaided visual line-of-sight does not preclude the use of prescribed corrective lenses.
(This means the Government wants to ban the very concept of FPV flying under any circumstance!!!)
“Model Aircraft shall not use turbine-powered engines (e.g., turbo-fan, turbo-jet) as a propulsion source.”
(Since when did the government decide to BAN ALL TURBINES, and based on what???)
“Model Aircraft cannot be operated at airspeeds which exceed 100 mph (87 knots).”
(Um, excuse me? The US government wants to put a 100 MPH speed limit on ALL MODEL AIRCRAFT?????)
There is a lot more in this document, and no one who enjoys flying models should take this lightly. Keep an eye on the AMA website (click here) for the latest updates, they are batting for us. If there has ever been a time to support the AMA, now is it! Even if you don’t fly at a club field or think you need their insurance, they are the only ones standing up for our rights at a federal level. If this recommendation takes the leap to become policy, we all need to start sending letters to our congressmen (and women).
GET OFF MY BACK BIG BROTHER!!!
aircraft sufficient to be able to maintain operational control of the aircraft, know its location, and be able to scan the airspace in which it is operating to decisively see and avoid other air traffic or objects….contact withUnaided (corrective lenses and/or sunglasses exempted) visual
Model Aircraft are limited to unaided visual line-of-sight operations. The Model Aircraft pilot must be able to see the aircraft throughout the entire flight well enough to maintain control, know its location, and watch the airspace it is operating in for other air traffic. Unaided visual line-of-sight does not preclude the use of prescribed corrective lenses.”
(This means they want to ban the very idea of FPV flying!)
Have you read the FAA recommendation for sUAS (small unmanned aerial systems) from April 1, 2009? If you like model airplanes you might want to, because the US government is trying to restrict your rights as a modeler. Please click here to read it, and read it thoroughly. While we as modelers have always had some restrictions, never have we faced such a huge clamp down from the federal government.