AMA NEW NORMAL

It may be anything but ordinary and some things we do as a result of the coronavirus pandemic may change forever. Because of the confinement measures to combat the spread of the virus and waiting for a safe time to travel, the AMA executive council meetings scheduled for January and April in Muncie were held virtually using GoToMeeting video conferencing. I suspect the July and October meetings will be too.

    In April, district officers and I began using Zoom, which is a cloud-based video conferencing service, to collaborate more effectively in these otherwise challenging times on how we can better serve clubs and members. It became apparent that we needed to learn and share more information about the status of club flying sites and any restrictions, limitations or requirements for flying activities or events on our district website at amadistrict-i.org  CONTINUE

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COVID-19 IMPACTS MODEL AVIATION

by Rich Hanson

Excerpts from May Issue of Model Aviation.

THE OUTBREAK OF the COVID-19 virus has had a dramatic effect on our nation and our society. To a lesser extent, it has impacted the aeromodelling community. This is not to say that we can’t continue to participate in the hobby and enjoy our aeromodelling activities.

It’s important that we follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and adhere to local health authority and government directives. 

We need to consider our fellow hobbyists and club members and be attentive in practicing safe hygiene and preventative measures.

The average age of our members falls within the vulnerable age category, making it imperative that we be vigilant in adhering to the current guidelines and restrictions.

The impact of the COVID-19 virus varies significantly across the country. Some areas have been severely impacted with thousands of infections, while others report only a handful of cases.

AMA clubs and members need to consider their individual circumstances when participating in model aviation activities. It’s important to follow local restrictions and directives.  

The following suggestions are offered to protect yourself and others while allowing everyone to continue to enjoy the hobby.

READ ALL RECOMMENDATIONS:

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FAA NPRM REMOTE-ID RULES NECESSARY FOR SOME UNACCEPTABLE FOR OTHERS

On December 26, 2019 the FAA released its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for Remote Identification (RID) of UAS/model-aircraft. If this rule is passed as written, it would mark the end of the hobby as we know it. The rule contains overly complex, over-burdensome, and unwarranted requirements and restrictions which will dramatically affect the 90% of AMA members who fly traditional fixed-wing model aircraft. The rule intends to phase-out AMA flying sites; obsolete current R/C and replace...CONTINUE

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Submit a Formal Comment to the FAA’s Proposed Remote ID Rule

On December 26, the FAA released a proposed rule for remote identification of UAS. There are several areas of concern with the proposed rule that AMA will be pushing back on and we need your help advocating for change. We encourage everyone to submit a comment to the FAA’s proposed rule for remote ID. The comment period is open until March 2, 2020. AMA has drafted multiple templates that you may use as guidance when forming personal comments. When writing your comment, please identify your own concerns with the proposed rule. It is important to provide a summary of how the proposal will impact your model aircraft operations and include data to back up those concerns. For example, use numbers and address the financial impact the proposal will have on you and suggest alternative solutions.

Please submit a formal comment to the FAA as soon as possible.

To submit a comment, go to the remote ID proposal page on the federal website here. Click on the green “SUBMIT A FORMAL COMMENT” button at the top right-hand side of the page. Complete the form and click on the “SUBMIT COMMENT” button at the end. Please note that comments and information provided are public knowledge. Click below to use the drafted templates to express your concerns. You may submit more than one comment.

Summary Intro to NPRM Remote-ID

Origin and Purpose of NPRM Remote-ID:

In 2016, as a result of reported drone incidents, Congress tasked the FAA with issuing regulations by July 2018 that would permit the FAA, the Public, law enforcement, and others to remotely track and identify UAS/model-aircraft during flight and identify operators. The purpose of the rule was to enhance safety and security of UAS operations and as a tool for law enforcement to address unauthorized and illegal drone operations as well as to develop the necessary elements for a comprehensive UAS traffic management (UTM) system.

 My Washington "Hill Day" Report 

The AMA “Hill Day", June 25, 2019, afforded AMA’s Government Affairs team and Executive-Council members an opportunity to engage in a morning of roundtable discussions with key UAS stakeholders and an afternoon of meetings with congressional legislators and senior staff...Click to read the column >

New England AMA Clubs Upload Your 

Upcoming Event Ads, Posters, or Flyers.

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AMA SAFETY HANDBOOK

This AMA safety handbook is a compilation of AMA's most important safety documents and programs for safe model aircraft operations. It provides an easy location to find pertinent safety information, and can be

valuable tool for club officers, contest directors, event managers, and others.

This student flight training manual was created for the Tuscarora Radio Controlled Aircraft Flying Club, and written by Ed Pollack. It is a great example of a club that has assembled their knowledge to introduce beginners to R/C flight andafe operation!

Click ^ Image to download

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Learn about UAS Remote ID & its Status. 

AMA members should keep in mind that the regulatory process to implement remote ID for UAS may take a few years and for low risk model-aircraft not capable of flights beyond visual line of sight it probably will not require any onboard transponder but a simple APP to report flight operationas at a              Click Image ^                designated location. 

LAANC Available to Recreational UAS Users

The Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) system was made available to AMA recreational remote  pilots and not just Part 107 

commercial users.  AMA members who may want to fly at locations near airports in controlled airspace can now use the LAANC system to seek authorization to do so through three FAA service providers, Airmap,Kittyhawk, and UASidekick. AMA will be providing a LAANC instructional video for members soon. In the meantime, you may want to view the following three YouTube videos on LAANC and how to use the systems. 

                           More on LAANC click AMA Blog > 

AirMap, an FAA-approved LAANC UAS Service Supplier, offers for free its AirMap for Drones app to recreational users. Both AirMap and Kittyhawk will ask users whether they are seeking commercial (Part 107) or recreational (Section 44809) LAANC authorizations to direct their requests accordingly. LAANC updates from the FAA can be found here.