[AlaskaRC] AMA rules for Model Aircraft and Unmanned Aerial Systems

[Steve Colligan]

Dear RC Flying Friends:

There seems to be growing drama and confusion of the existing rules and FAA
regulations related to remote controlled aircraft.  This is in part of
people not realizing what the actual rules are, further complicated by the
fact that FAA is in the middle of a major remodeling project in their
house, while still living in it with the public.

Attached to this email are AMA documents describing actual FAA law on the
books 540-c specifying 3 miles from the airport and notification of the
tower or operator if you are going to be above 400 feet.  Document 550
"First Person View" and 560 "utilizing failsafe, stabilization and
autopilot systems" that were updated 1/01/2014 and 540-D "general see and
avoid guidance".

All of these outline what has traditionally been understood as good common
sense modeling and safety and actively looking out for full-size aircraft
in the airspace. We are continuing to operate under these self regulating
guidelines until such time there are formal rule changes from either FAA or
AMA.

AMA is actively working with the FAA to clarify and push back on some of
their pending UAS rules so that they don't impact our hobby of model
aviation.  AMA is also aggressively focused on developing and expanding its
scope to provide standards and best practices for UAS systems within the
airspace as the FAA struggles to keep up with the technology.  More
specifically the FAA has released the "UAS roadmap" outlining the limited
use and time frames for use of UAS in the airspace over the next 5 years.
 2 weeks ago they released a "notice of interpretation with request for
comment" model_aircraft_spec_rule.pdf, which tries to open the door for the
existing model aircraft exemption for reinterpretation.  Needless to say
AMA and the greater community is and should be alarmed over this activity.

Manufacturers are stepping up to the plate and proactively educating there
customers of the rules to avoid future regulations.  This is most apparent
with DJI and the Phantom Vision platform that has a warning system build
into the firmware. It alerts you that you are within the radius of a
controlled airspace or airport.  This is a warning from DJI, not the FAA or
NSA.  DJI has been working to make it a little smoother and be able to
clear the warning from the screen once acknowledged.  There are 10,500
Phantoms a month being sold into the US, that's a lot of new pilots not
familiar with safe operations for themselves or others.  The future of our
hobby depends on us and the AMA doing our best to educate and mentor these
new fliers.  AMA has done this same thing with self regulation and best
practices for almost 80 years, without huge bureaucracy and government
regulations.

In the meantime, please continue to follow the existing rules, continue to
be safe and encourage others to do the same.  All documents are available
on AMA website at http://www.modelaircraft.org

Sincerely,

Steve Colligan 907.230.3422
AMA UAS Advisory Group Member and Alaska UAS Legislative Task Force Member
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