r_adical

My Feedback: (19)

http://view.exacttarget.com/?j=fe4f1...017a721171&r=0

This just came from the AMA

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[TD]You're receiving this email because of your affiliation with the Academy of Model Aeronautics.

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[TD="align: left"]Academy of Model Aeronautics
Member Communication
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[TD="align: left"]Thursday, December 17, 2015[/TD]
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[TD]Dear AMA Members,
Yesterday, the AMA Executive Council unanimously approved an action plan to relieve and further protect our members from unnecessary and burdensome regulations. This plan addresses the recently announced interim rule requiring federal registration of all model aircraft and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) weighing between 0.55 and 55 pounds.
AMA has long used a similar registration system with our members, which we pointed out during the task force deliberations and in private conversations with the FAA. As you are aware, AMA's safety program instructs all members to place his or her AMA number or name and address on or within their model aircraft, effectively accomplishing the safety and accountability objectives of the interim rule. AMA has also argued that the new registration rule runs counter to Congress' intent in Section 336 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, otherwise known as the "Special Rule for Model Aircraft."
The Council is considering all legal and political remedies to address this issue. We believe that resolution to the unnecessary federal registration rule for our members rests with AMA's petition before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. This petition, filed in August 2014, asks the court to review the FAA's interpretation of the "Special Rule for Model Aircraft." The central issue is whether the FAA has the authority to expand the definition of aircraft to include model aircraft; thus, allowing the agency to establish new standards and operating criteria to which model aircraft operators have never been subject to in the past.
In promulgating its interim rule for registration earlier this week, the FAA repeatedly stated that model aircraft are aircraft, despite the fact that litigation is pending on this very question. The Council believes the FAA's reliance on its interpretation of Section 336 for legal authority to compel our members to register warrants the Court's immediate attention to AMA's petition.
While we continue to believe that registration makes sense at some threshold and for flyers operating outside of a community-based organization or flying for commercial purposes, we also strongly believe our members are not the problem and should not have to bear the burden of additional regulations. Safety has been the cornerstone of our organization for 80 years and AMA's members strive to be a part of the solution.
As we proceed with this process, we suggest AMA members hold off on registering their model aircraft with the FAA until advised by the AMA or until February 19, the FAA's legal deadline for registering existing model aircraft.
Holding off on registration will allow AMA time to fully consider all possible options. On a parallel track, it also allows AMA to complete ongoing conversations with the FAA about how best to streamline the registration process for our members.
In the near future, we will also be asking our members to make their voices heard by submitting comments to the FAA's interim rule on registration. We will follow-up soon with more detailed information on how to do this.
Thank you for your continued support of AMA. We will provide you with more updates as they become available.
Kind regards,


The AMA Executive Council
Bob Brown, AMA President
Gary Fitch, AMA Executive Vice President
Andy Argenio, AMA Vice President, District I
Eric Williams, AMA Vice President, District II
Mark Radcliff, AMA Vice President, District III
Jay Marsh, AMA Vice President, District IV
Kris Dixon, AMA Vice President, District V
Randy Cameron, AMA Vice President, District VI
Tim Jesky, AMA Vice President, District VII
Mark Johnston, AMA Vice President, District VIII
Jim Tiller, AMA Vice President, District IX
Lawrence Tougas, AMA Vice President, District X
Chuck Bower, AMA Vice President, District XI
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opjose

Interesting... the AMA is showing some backbone and resistance.

r_adical

My Feedback: (19)

I would be happier if the QuadCopter wasn't part of the AMA logo!!

cj_rumley

LOL! Roger that.

init4fun

Nice to see a reaction from Muncie , but till a clear distinction between drone and model aircraft is made by the AMA I don't think they (we) have got a chance . Sorry flying camera guys , but if the AMA is to be successful , # 550 has gotta go ! At the end of the day , the FAA wants anything that can fly BLOS registered . If we give up any ability to fly BLOS , it would firmly cement our status as model aircraft and leave the FAA to deal with those that DO desire BLOS operations , the drone operators themselves

r_adical

My Feedback: (19)

I am not so sure we should thumb our nose at the FAA just because Mucie says so, the way this has gone doesn't give me warm and fuzzies that this will turn out so good.

cj_rumley

As a minimum it will cost those that take part in AMA's nose-thumbing 5 bucks.

icemaker

I am the AMA and honored to be recognized as a model aviator. Show me where to sign.

porcia83

My Feedback: (8)

Is that what you take from the e-mail they sent...that this is the AMA thumbing their noses at the FAA. Did I miss the part where they said to not register at all? I thought I saw this:

As we proceed with this process, we suggest AMA members hold off on registering their model aircraft with the FAA until advised by the AMA or until February 19, the FAA's legal deadline for registering existing model aircraft.

This is thumbing our noses how? It's not saying don't sign up. Its saying sit tight and wait a few....they might have some more news. Maybe a deal is being worked...etc etc. It's been a few days since this was announced...hows bout we let a little of the dust settle and then work through the issues. It's not like anything could even be done until the 21st.

cj_rumley

https://www.change.org/p/ama-members...iation-and-ama

Granpooba

My Feedback: (5)

Ditto !

porcia83

My Feedback: (8)

Take out the heli and the jet too while their at it...those weren't really "traditional" aircraft back in the day. They should limit it to fixed wing, scale civilian and military aircraft only! Maybe a petition for that can be started too.

acerc

Don't let the AMA request stop you from contacting your representative. They are the best option at stopping the FAA.

tailskid

My Feedback: (34)

AMEN to that!

r_adical

My Feedback: (19)

As it was pointed out earlier this will cost the $5 fee to wait

So far nothing the AMA has suggested has panned out yet

I am willing to be patient with them as at least they are trying to regroup now

I hope this works out

cessnaflyer54

My Feedback: (68)

Ditto to acerc and tailskid!

porcia83

My Feedback: (8)

A response from them may come earlier and the $5.00 savings not lost..we'll see.

r_adical

My Feedback: (19)

That is true

We can hope this is all a nightmare

ltc

My Feedback: (3)

So what happens if I do register with the FAA?
Is my AMA membership revoked?
Sorry, but the FAA/DOT supersedes a request from the AMA.

BTW, that $5 rebate for registering early will be needed by the AMA to pay for their pending legal action.

porcia83

My Feedback: (8)

? Those are two separate and distinct things there, one has nothing to do with the other. The FAA isn't providing insurance coverage to you, nor providing anything the AMA does. If you plan to fly something over their weight limit, they say you have to register. Once you register, you are all set in the FAA's eyes.

The AMA membership affords you certain benefits, and the ability to fly at chartered fields. You can fly and not have an AMA membership. Signing up with the FAA has no impact on your AMA membership at this time.

mr_matt

My Feedback: (10)

I am just glad to see they took the hint and the EC specifically called themselves out and signed this, instead of the staff.

Tired of perpetual notices, strategems and angst from the staff. EC should stand up like this more often.

porcia83

My Feedback: (8)

Who cares who the message comes from, that's just another point to criticize. Isn't the message the important part?

mr_matt

My Feedback: (10)

Yes. This is just a double down on the same strategy that got us here. Maybe something more is happening behind the scenes. 5 bucks doesn't bother me. It is what is coming

2walla

My Feedback: (10)

Phase 1 It is all a bunch of crap for the FAA leadership to try to make congress happy and in the end just keeps the honest people honest. Then phase two is revenue.. So yes the cost will increase. I look at my hobbies- dirt biking- when i go to my cabin to ride i now have to have a state off road liscence, an off road trail permit, and if i want to ride to the trail i need a street plate, and a motorcycle endorsement on my drivers liscence I have ridden since i was 5 and all of these things exist "for my safety" right? No its a money grab to pay the salary of some ass forest cop to bust my balls because he can. This is the same way. . Responsible modelers arent the problem and idiots and terrorists will never go away..face it and move on.. Get the bull**** sorted. Collect your due faa and lets get back to flying. I will use common sense, fly safely, and wont report an aviation incident everytime i break a prop so you wont even know i am there other than my number in your books and my check to renew...

ira d

IMO waiting until FEB 19 is too long but I see no harm in going ahead and registering now while it won't cost us anything. If it turns out we don't have to which I doubt all will still be ok.