by Jack Upchurch | Feb 5, 2021 | District Communications, District News
Dear AMA Modeler- As most of you are aware, the change in administration in Washington, D.C., will result in President Joe Biden traveling to his home in Wilmington DE, and his beach home in Rehoboth Beach DE, primarily on weekends. Whenever the President travels, Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) are imposed, preventing the flying of any full-scale aircraft, model airplane, or drone inside a 30 nautical mile (NM) range of the President. These TFRs will impact AMA members and clubs in portions of AMA District II, District III, and District IV. In a joint effort of the three affected AMA districts, we are launching the “Share Our Field” program to help ease the effects of Presidential TFRs on AMA members. The three AMA districts are jointly asking clubs outside the TFRs 30NM range, and up to 75NM from the TFR center, to voluntarily invite those AMA club members inside the TFRs to come out to enjoy flying at unaffected club fields. This is a wonderful opportunity for our fliers to not only help one another, but also build club and member camaraderie, expand your connections with fellow modelers, enjoy flying together, and perhaps gain another club member or two. The following link is a map that depicts all of the clubs within 75NM from the TFR centers: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1pFrHM3UUuj3lZ8wpzNj0zzTYHmaiPcTg&usp=sharing. If yours is missing please let us know. You will notice in the above linked map and this PDF listing, there are a lot of clubs that can help with this program. We ask that if your club is able to share and invite AMA members to your field, to you please...
by Greg Carter | May 16, 2019 | District News, UAV
For: GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Federal Aviation Administration The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is implementing changes for recreational drone flyers man.dated by Congress in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018. While recreational flyers may continue to fly below 400 feet in uncontrolled airspace without specific certification or operating authority from the FAA, they are now required to obtain prior authorization from the FAA before flying in controlled airspace around airports. Furthermore, they must comply with all airspace restrictions and prohibitions when flying in controlled and uncontrolled airspace. The new requirement to obtain an airspace authorization prior to flying a drone in controlled airspace replaces the old requirement to notify the airport operator and the airport air traffic control tower prior to flying within five miles of an airport. Until further notice, air traffic control facilities will no longer accept requests to operate recreational drones in controlled airspace on a case-by-case basis. Instead, to enable operations under the congressionally-mandated exception for limited recreational drone operations, the FAA is granting temporary airspace authorizations to fly in certain “fixed sites” in controlled airspace throughout the country. The fixed sites are listed online and will be routinely updated. The sites are also shown as blue dots on Unmanned Aircraft Systems Facility Maps. The maps depict the maximum altitude above ground level at which a drone may be flown safely for each location in controlled airspace. In the future, recreational flyers will be able to obtain authorization from the FAA to fly in controlled airspace. The FAA currently has a system called the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC), which...
by Greg Carter | Apr 8, 2019 | District Communications
Source: AMA GOVERNMENT RELATIONS BLOG Model aviation needs your help to ensure future regulations do not place unnecessary burdens on our community. Last month, the FAA issued an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) regarding the safe and secure operations of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). In this ANPRM, the FAA is currently seeking comments on potential new rulemaking for operational and performance restrictions on UAS, including model aircraft. Some of the parameters being considered include altitude, airspeed, stand-off distances and unmanned aircraft traffic management.AMA has long held that the hobby of model aviation has introduced no new risk into the airspace, and therefore should not be subject to any new regulations. AMA is in the process of submitting comments to the FAA to this effect, urging the agency to take into consideration the existing safety guidelines for modelers and the differences between model aircraft and commercial drones – the FAA cannot and should not take a one-size-fits-all approach to regulating them. It is critical that we voice our support for the hobby by submitting a comment to the Federal Register regarding this ANPRM. Click here to submit a comment or visit www.regulations.gov and search for Docket No. FAA – 2018 – 1086; Notice No. 18-08. Below you’ll find a suggested template for comments, which you can customize with your personal story and then copy and paste into the comment field on the Federal Register website. The current deadline for submitting comments is 11:59 pm on April 15, 2019. Rulemaking is a lengthy process but rest assured that AMA will continue to advocate for our members and keep you informed as it progresses. You can read FAQs...
by Jack Upchurch | Jul 12, 2018 | District News, Events, Radio Control, RC Jets, Scale
I just spent the day enjoying wonderful weather, great friendly people and some pretty spectacular airplanes. Anybody in range should drop whatever they are doing and get to Lums Pond to see this event. This is a family friendly environment with good food provided by a local Scout Troup. Wanted to share some photos to share the feel of what is going on- biplanes, triplanes, 3 scale warthog jets flying together- something for everyone. Link to the event website for more information: ...
by Jack Upchurch | Apr 13, 2018 | AMA National News, District Communications, District News
We just received this communication from AMA Government Regulations Committee, and wanted to make sure everyone gets the word and takes action. It only takes a couple of minutes, and this is how our government process works. They need to hear from us. Friday, April 13, 2018 Dear members, We need your help. There is talk that the next re authorization bill for the Federal Aviation Administration will eliminate the Special Rule for Model Aircraft – also known as Section 336 – which has allowed AMA to manage our members and fly safely and responsibly, as we have for over 80 years. Losing the Special Rule would be a devastating blow to our hobby. Please click here to send a letter to your elected representatives in support of the Special Rule for Model Aircraft. This is a critical moment to let your elected representatives know the importance of the Special Rule for Model Aircraft and the role of community-based organizations such as AMA. Our community has operated safely for decades – long before the recent advent of drones. Model aviation has played a critical role in the innovations of new technology and encouraging young people to pursue an interest in science and technology fields. More than that, this long-standing hobby has been passed down from generation to generation and is a tradition for many American families. We need your help to demonstrate the value of the Special Rule for Model Aircraft not only for our community, but everyone. Please make your voices heard by contacting your elected representatives today. Sincerely, AMA Government...
