AMA ALERT: RESPONSE NEEDED to FAA Model Aircraft Registration Rule

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Dear AAM Members,

Hopefully by now you have received an email from AMA or have visited the AMA website to learn about the FAA’s recent “Registration and Marking Requirements for Small Unmanned Aircraft” rule and that the AMA has suggested to wait until the FAA registration deadline of February 19, 2016 at the latest to register.  This will give the AMA more time to fight this registration from at least two known fronts: challenging the definition of “aircraft” and working with the FAA to exclude AMA members from the registration. The ultimate goal is to get Congress to throw out the FAA rule on model aircraft registration altogether (impacts all modelers), but in the event that doesn’t work, the hope would be that AMA membership is sufficient registration for the FAA and only non-members would have to comply with this new registration rule. AMA’s public stance is its membership body hasn’t been the problem so they shouldn’t have to be included in the FAA registration.

It is extremely important that every single one of us respond to the FAA’s UAS Registration rule because of its highly aggressive approach and potential detriment to our hobby.  The response deadline is January 15, 2016 so please do not delay.  YOU MUST RESPOND!

There are four ways to respond, but easiest way by far is via email as follows:

Email: Go to http://www.regulations.gov which posts the rule for your review. Follow the online instructions for sending your comments electronically.

It is important to respond in a thoughtful and meaningful manner.  Please refer to the following link for: Tips for submitting your comments.

The following Summary of tips are meant to help you submit comments that have an impact and which will help agency policy makers improve federal regulations.

Summary

  • Read and understand the regulatory document you are commenting on.
  • Feel free to reach out to the agency (or others within AAM) with questions.
  • Be concise but support your claims.
  • Base your justification on sound reasoning, scientific evidence, and/or how you will be impacted.
  • Address trade-offs and opposing views in your comment.
  • There is no minimum or maximum length for an effective comment.
  • The comment process is not a vote – one well supported comment is often more influential than a thousand form letters.

Additional Resources

  • The AMA provided guidance for commenting on the FAA UAS Registration interim rule
  • The PDF of the presentation given at the AAM January 2016 club meeting
  • Here is an example of a well-written and detailed response for your reference.  Please note, this is not an official position or response by AAM or its Board of Directors.

For more information or questions, please contact any of the AAM board members.

Thank you and please act quickly!

AAM Visits with Girl Scout Troop 3572

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On Friday, December 11, 2016, Dewey Louderback and Ted Hughes attended a meeting of Girl Scout Troop 3572 and talked to them about RC airplanes. Their interest, enthusiasm, and excitement was fantastic. There were 16 Girl Scout Cadettes who are learning about different aspects of air as part of a “Breathe” journey. They will also be building kites to participate in the Arvada Kite Festival in April and visiting Wings Over the Rockies.  They hope to develop a new badge program for Girl Scouts of Colorado that would include RC modeling because of all of the STEAM activities troops could do (science, technology, engineering, art, math). They are looking forward to coming out to the field and learning to fly in the Spring.

Dewey and Ted had a terrific time talking to them and answering their questions. They were challenged with over an hour of very interesting and intelligent questions from the scouts.

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AAM Visits Legacy High School Aeronautics Class

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On Tuesday October 13, 2015 Arvada Associated Modelers visited Legacy High School. Pat Vachon, Dewey Louderback, and Ted Hughes met with teacher Al Godman’s aeronautics class and talked to the young ladies and men in his class about our club and the RC hobby. At the end of the class everyone went outside and we flew some airplanes. One student brought and flew his Stryker.

Legacy HS Class

Standley Lake Float Fly October 4, 2015

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The Fall 2015 float fly at Standley Lake was a bit chilly, but still fun. The club-sponsored float fly raised about $300 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation that raises money for childhood cancer research.

Photos by Lee Jay Fingersh.  More photos here.

Standley Lake Float Fly April 25, 2015

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The spring float fly at Standley Lake.  The weather was beautiful and we had a great event!  The club-sponsored float fly raised nearly $500 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation that raises money for childhood cancer research.  Thanks to the 33 pilots with dozens of aircraft of various sizes and types, the many spectators, and the Standley Lake Park staff and rangers who helped with the event.

Photographs by Lee Jay Fingersh.  More pictures here.