Here is where you can get the info and powerpoint from the recent webinar on the FAA RUlemaking. Seems the AMA is really pushing the "No rules for AMA members and no recreational use without the AMA" line. Seems to me they want to make everyone join the AMA whether they need it or not. The AMA has done nothing to "supervise" model aviation in its entire history so why should the FAA think they will do so if given that power? Sounds more like an AMA money grab to me. The AMA is doing nothing in this process for anyone but the AMA, this is not their NPO tax exempt stated purpose.
I seriously hate this attitude from an NPO supposedly being the voice for "all model aviation". Guess they need a way to boost their falling membership numbers. Nothing like a monolpoly without rules to make that happen. I honestly hope the FAA will tell the AMA to stick it and give us reasonable rules for all recreational users. IMHO The AMA is little more than an insurance company looking to make more money.
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I have no idea where the AMA is getting anything. Yes, your link is to the official due dates from the DOT. I have yet to see anything more authorative.I am wondering if someone wants everyone to miss the NPRM comment period. In order to change those dates the FAA has to file for an extension which would be noted on that link. So far they are claiming to be right on track. An indication will be if the process goes to OST on Jan. 24th. If that isn't delayed the rest is little more than federal legaleze and funding/budgeting (if needed) and other rubber stamping formalities.By this time the NPRM is pretty much set in stone. If you haven't gotten what you want in there by this time it is 0ver and done until the comment periods. Pres. Obama would have a tough time getting anything changed at this stage.
Where are the AMA getting their timings from?? These are the proper ones are they not??? http://regs.dot.gov/rulemakings/201007/report.htm#19
You are correct Patrick. We really need to show the FAA that there are far more people flying without the AMA than there are AMA members. If they would just look at the sales figures for this industry (readily available to the FAA) they would see that 140K AMA members are a small minority, Unless each AMA member is spending around $30K per year on the hobby.
I tried to make this point... The non-afffiliated member (RC Flyer) has no representation. The FAA is under the impression that there are under say 10,000 people flying who aren't AMA members.
Having a law and enforcing it are two different things. CB radios ALL were required to have a license and pay a fee in the 1970's. Nobody did. Ham radio requires a license. Not enforced.
The FAA isn't going to roll over for the AMA. The priority is to keep all non-aviation traffic away from aviation traffic. I think a simple set of rules and some advertising is all we are going to see. I do think you will see some real harsh penalties for violating the rules. If you get caught in Class A airspace you could see jail time and a huge fine. If you hit someone under ANY circumstances you can expect them to come after you.
The kid in an empty field flying isn't a worry at all. As your flying gets higher and further away the chances of an incident increase. In your free time you should take a risk management class. That is what the are using to assess the risk of model aircraft in the future.
As for the AMA, they are being funded by all Americans for the $10M they do not pay taxes on every year and the City of Muncie which can't collect property taxes an a multi-million dollar chunk of real estate.
If all the AMA cares about is dues paying members, then they should start paying taxes. Maybe that will be the way to get to them. Complain to the IRS that they should not get NPO status as a 501c3 charitible institution.
A good point that could be made though is that the law is only enforcible if you have to sign some documents when you buy a toy. As far as i know no policy exists, or is on the books that is going to stop me from buying an RC helicopter capable of going above 400 feet, and the only time i'm going to get in trouble is if someone complains to the local police.
Also, I wonder about the RC toy market. Are air hogs going to be illegal? What about WowWee Dragonflies?
I really doubt these are going to be illegal or at least the law won't be enforced unless you hit a windscreen.
Either way ... this community doesn't have a seat at the table. If we want a seat it has a cost. We could join them 'en masse and take over. It probably wouldn't even take that many people overall. Just people willing to vote and organized via the internet.
Not to mention "told you so" does nothing to help your own case. In my opinion creating a simple organisation with a clean and clear website with the main purpose to control the fear (which will likely be the main tool they will use to push their agenda). Explain that it really isn't that dangerous. Give it a nice name like Freedom of Flight America or something. Get support from fellow modellers, talk to media & congresscritters as the FFA group (rather than an individual). That's what I would be doing if they were planning to pull this crap in Australia.
No idea if this is a good idea or not, but that's my 2c.
All I can do is try to make people aware of what is coming. I really get tired of saying "I told you so". Fore-warned is fore-amed, but if no one cares then I will be one of the few sending well documented comments on the NPRM and letters to our congressmen.
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