[NSRCA-discussion] Update - UAS Registration Frequently Asked Questions | AMA Government Relations Blog

Fri Jan 15 14:43:51 AKST 2016

Anyone get that on video?  It's just hearsay until they put it into their regulations.  Meanwhile, we're signing up to a promise not to exceed 400'.  It would be nice to have that video for the trial.  lol

Date: Fri, 15 Jan 2016 15:39:07 -0800
To: jgghome at comcast.net; nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Update - UAS Registration Frequently Asked Questions | AMA Government Relations Blog
From: nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org

Yep.  This was brought up directly with the FAA guy at the AMA Expo, he indicated that they got the 400' thing wrong and will be working to clarify their guidance.  The guidance on the web site right now is for people not flying under an approved set of rules from a community based organization like the AMA.
Peter+
On Fri, Jan 15, 2016 at 3:32 PM, John Gayer via NSRCA-discussion <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org> wrote:

    This is what the AMA says about the 400 foot barrier on the FAQs
    page:

    Q: Am I permitted to fly above 400
        feet? What if I had to check a box saying otherwise on the
        federal registration website?
    A: Yes. AMA members who
      abide by the AMA Safety Code, which permits flights above 400 feet
      under appropriate circumstances, and are protected by the Special
      Rule for Model Aircraft under the 2012 FAA Modernization and
      Reform Act. Checking the box on the federal registration webpage
      signifies an understanding of the 400 foot guideline. This is an
      important safety principle that all UAS operators need to be aware
      of, and is the same guideline established in AC 91-57 published in
      1981. However, the placement of this guideline on the FAA website
      is intended as an educational piece and more specifically intended
      for those operating outside of AMA’s safey program.  We have been
      in discussions with the FAA about this point and the agency has
      indicted that it will be updating its website in the next week to
      make clear that this altitude guideline is not intended to
      supplant the guidance and safety procedures established in AMA’s
      safety program.

    Sounds clear, right? No 400 foot barrier need apply.

    However, the following is what you have to "read, understand and
    follow", according to the FAA.

    Acknowledgement of Safety
      Guidance

          I will fly below
            400 feet

          I will fly within
            visual line of sight

          I will be aware
            of FAA airspace requirements: www.faa.gov/go/uastfr

          I will not fly
            directly over people

          I will not fly
            over stadiums and sports events

          I will not fly
            near emergency response efforts such as fires

          I will not fly
            near aircraft, especially near airports

          I will not fly
            under the influence

      Learn
          More

         I have read,
            understand and intend to follow the safety guidance.

    Under the "learn more" link, we find the following:

    Model Aircraft Operations
      Limits
    According to the FAA
      Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 as (1) the aircraft is flown
      strictly for hobby or recreational use; (2) the aircraft is
      operated in accordance with a community-based set of safety
      guidelines and within the programming of a nationwide
      community-based organization; (3) the aircraft is limited to not
      more than 55 pounds unless otherwise certified through a design,
      construction, inspection, flight test, and operational safety
      program administered by a community-based organization; (4) the
      aircraft is operated in a manner that does not interfere with and
      gives way to any manned aircraft; (5) when flown within 5 miles of
      an airport, the operator of the aircraft provides the airport
      operator and the airport air traffic control tower…with prior
      notice of the operation; and (6) the aircraft is flown within
      visual line sight of the operator.

      More information about safety and
          training guidelines
      Visit knowbeforeyoufly.org

    This
          implies that the 400 foot barrier is not a limit for model
          aircraft and also refers you back to the AMA FAQs above.  Since
          the "learn more" link eventually refers you back to the AMA
          position on 400 feet under the "more info about safety"  link,
          it very fuzzily appears to be supporting the position that we
          can still fly pattern without lying to the FAA even though we
          appear to be agreeing to such a limit in the "Acknowledgement".

    Guess
          I'll register.

    On 1/15/2016 3:56 PM, Patternpilot One
      via NSRCA-discussion wrote:

      Here is what I got from Mark Radcliff just after  midnight
        Monday morning.

      He was at the Expo.  It has been posted all over Facebook.

http://amablog.modelaircraft.org/amagov/2016/01/11/update-uas-registration-frequently-asked-questions/

      Sa.

        Sent from my Verizon
          Wireless 4G LTE smartphone

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Director, Fixed Wing Flight TrainingSanta Clara County Model Aircraft SkyparkAssociate Vice President, Academy of Model Aeronautics District XTreasurer, National Society of Radio Control Aerobatics (NSRCA)

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