[NSRCA-discussion] FAA Meeting in Columbus OH on Small UAS

[Ron Hansen]

I just attended a FAA meeting at the Columbus, OH Airport on Small UAS.

 

Several AMA members including Mike Barbee and numerous full scale pilots
were in attendance.

 

The powerpoint presentation was given by:

 

John P. Welsh

Aviation Safety Inspector Maintenance

Flight Standards District Office

Great Lakes Region

 

A couple of very important takeaways:

 

1.      He stated that you could not fly above 400 ft even if you are an AMA
member.  I pressed him on this.  He said if you want to fly according to the
rules you must stay below 400 ft.  If you need to fly above 400 ft, he
suggested you apply for a COA.  I told him that is not what the AMA is
telling us.  He said the AMA is not well informed.

2.      He stated that FPV with a spotter does not meet their requirements
even if you are an AMA member.  He said FPV flyers must be able to see the
plane and not through a video screen.

 

This does not surprise me because the Small UAS Certification states this.
What AMA is telling us is only their interpretation of their discussions
with the FAA.

 

The AMA needs to obtain a letter from the FAA that states clearly that AMA
members are exempt from all of the requirements for Small UAS and are only
required to comply with AMA rules.  Every member would need to carry this
letter on their person because the FAA is not going to enforce these
regulations local law enforcement will.  If a police officer sees you flying
above 400 ft, he isn't going to care if you are an AMA member.  All he knows
is you are flying above 400 ft and the card you're carrying says you can't
do that.

 

It is possible this person from FAA is ill informed.  However, this person
is on the front lines educating local law enforcement, full scale pilots and
model airplane enthusiast.

 

 

 



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