The long awaited release of the FAA NPRM with rules for the use of sUAS, was presented at a press conference Sunday February 15th at 10:30am EST. Initially it looks to be very favorable toward hobby and recreation. Below is an email from Dave Mathewson, the Executive Director of AMA, and a link to the response to members by AMA.
Big thanks to Rich Hanson, Dave Mathewson and the AMA staff for the fine and hard work they have put in representing you, the member’s right to fly.
DISTRICT IV is on FACEBOOK! Look us up and Like us at Academy of Model Aeronautics,District IV, https://www.facebook.com/amadistrictIV, and then stay up to date on what’s happening in the district and nationally.
The New District Website is taking shape and we have a new Webmaster. Welcome Jack Upchurch, who can be reached at webmaster@ama-d4.org . We are in need of some volunteers in the areas of RC and others to create and maintain pages on the new site. If you think it would be something that you would like to do and have some knowledge about websites then let me know.
Thanks go out to Steve Moulton, who has hung in there for a long, long time as our current Webmaster and is still maintaining our old website at www.amadistrictiv.org
It’s too COLD outside to go fly so I hope everyone is getting their projects done so we can go have some fun when the weather breaks. Look on our Facebook page for events happening this year and post your own. The district is pushing for bigger and more events so plan on going to see what others are doing and they in turn will come to see you.
Let us know about your events so the AVPs and I can schedule to come see you too.
Chartered Chapters. You’re going to hear more and more in the future about Chartered Chapters, where several clubs combine efforts to make an event or project easier and better. There is a lot of potential if we combine our efforts and enjoyment in sharing what we do with the reward of more fun and camaraderie.
Stay Warm,
Jay Marsh
AMA District IV Vice President
From: David Mathewson [mailto:davem@modelaircraft.org]
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2015 12:24 PM
Subject: RE: FW: www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/rulemaking/media/021515_sUAS_Summary.pdf
Hi all:
Here is the link to the AMA press release on this morning’s announcement.
http://amablog.modelaircraft.org/amagov/2015/02/15/dotfaa-announce-proposed-rule-for-suas/
Model aircraft operated within the programming of a CBO (AMA) will be managed as directed by congress in Section 336 of PL 112-95. The knowledge test applies to those that intend to operate in any way other than hobby or recreation. There may be some question as to how non-participating modelers may be managed. Seems they may fall into a grey area of not being non-recreational but not participating within the programming of a CBO.
While this looks good for us, and it is, the issue that is yet to be resolved is the Interpretive Rule. The FAA has taken a very narrow approach in their interpretation of the provisions in 336. It does look like they may have backed away from what was originally their position that everything in part 91 applies to model aircraft; and now seem to be focusing more on 91.13; careless and reckless operation. If so, this is a step in the right direction as I don’t think AMA has ever said that the FAA doesn’t have the authority to take enforcement action against anyone in the NAS, including model aviation enthusiasts who are an eminent threat to other users of the NAS.
Dave
From: Academy of Model Aeronautics [mailto:AMA@modelaircraft.org]
Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2015 5:03 PM
Subject: FAA Releases Notice of Proposed Rulemaking NPRM