Just Bowed Down To Tyranny!!
#27
Thread Starter
#31
By the way - just got a AMA e-mail saying that DC's open for flying again. Text follows:
AMA and FAA Reach an Agreement: DC SFRA Back Open to Model Aircraft
Dear members, AMA and your District IV Government Relations Committee are pleased to report we have reached an agreement with the FAA that allows our members to fly once more inside the DC Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA). On Wednesday, February 10th, you may begin flying operations again.
It is important to note there is no change to the 15nm Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ) in DC. The FRZ will continue to be a no-fly zone.
In regards to the DC SFRA, the FAA has issued a permanent NOTAM. This outlines specific parameters to recreational flyers in order to fly in the SFRA. These parameters include flying under a 400' altitude ceiling, only flying platforms that weigh 55 lbs. or less, and only flying during daytime hours. These parameters will apply to everyone flying for recreational purposes inside the SFRA.
We know that AMA members fly safely and responsibly. However, it is critically important that everyone wishing to fly inside the SFRA follow these restrictions and rules. Additionally, we ask that you help pass the word to as many people as possible about these restrictions to ensure everyone knows the limits before taking flight. Ray Stinchcomb, your District IV Government Relations Coordinator, will address these restrictions in an analysis shortly.
While this is a permanent NOTAM to the DC SFRA at the present time, we are working with the FAA to allow special waivers for events. Additionally, if there are no problems with the security partners over time, we will work to obtain permanent waivers for our operations.
The AMA and your District IV Government Relations Committee are continuing efforts to work for you in representing your interests. As we work through the specifics with the FAA, we will continue to update you as quickly as possible. We greatly appreciate your patience to date, but please understand it will take some time to solve these issues.
All of us involved in this effort, including the FAA, do not have any desire to stop recreational flying and enjoyment of this hobby. One of the functions the FAA has is "encouraging and developing civil aeronautics, including new aviation technology" that includes hobby and recreational aviation.
As more and more issues surface on the city, county and state level, we would like to add a few good modelers to our district committee. If you are an active or retired congressional leader or lawyer that understands the legislative processes please drop me an email [email protected], or Ray Stinchcomb an email [email protected] . Let us know your willingness and how you might be able to help represent our hobby by educating our representatives about model aviation.
Now, Go fly and have fun safely.
Last edited by skylark-flier; 02-09-2016 at 08:37 AM.
#32
Thread Starter
No Kidding!
Take that number, multiply it by $5, and build us our own state-of-the-art flying field with grills, misters and those big massage chairs you see in malls. I find it ironic that after handing us a big nothing-burger, the AMA then ups its membership fees.... :/
Take that number, multiply it by $5, and build us our own state-of-the-art flying field with grills, misters and those big massage chairs you see in malls. I find it ironic that after handing us a big nothing-burger, the AMA then ups its membership fees.... :/
#35
Greg
#37
Well, as of today, I am a big fan of registration.
Situation: Haven't been to the field in a while due to work etc. (it takes me 1 hr to get there) so I decided to keep my thumbs up to date by taking my 64MM F-18 to the local park. It being a weekday and 2pm, no one was there, which is my personal rule for flying anything in parks. If there are kids and/or people around, I don't fly. Anyway, after the second flight, I hear "sir, sir" behind me and turn around to see a cop coming my way. I had just landed and was retrieving the plane, so I walked up to her, plane in hand. I don't like cops, but I made and effort not to start off with "what's the problem".
She tells me the PD was called by an individual complaining about my flying - saying I was too close to the airport. She asked me if I had ID, and I handed her my DL and the FAA registration. She looks at the FAA card and says: "so, we've been wondering how this works". I then explained about the requirements, how everyone has to be registered as of this month, the safety guidance, the fact that FAA controls the airspace and has jurisdiction over local use, etc etc. By this time, her supervisor, a captain has walked over. She explains it all to him. Also by this time, dispatch radios in to say the local airport has no complaints. Then I explain about the AMA, modelers vs drones, that we too are upset by poor judgment of the drone guys and understand the concerns etc. I indicated to them that everything, including an LEO "kit" is available on FAA.gov. By this time, the captain had brought up the website on his ipad, and stated to her "there is no issue here - we will educate our guys on procedures here".
And that was that. That FAA card saved me a lot of trouble.
Situation: Haven't been to the field in a while due to work etc. (it takes me 1 hr to get there) so I decided to keep my thumbs up to date by taking my 64MM F-18 to the local park. It being a weekday and 2pm, no one was there, which is my personal rule for flying anything in parks. If there are kids and/or people around, I don't fly. Anyway, after the second flight, I hear "sir, sir" behind me and turn around to see a cop coming my way. I had just landed and was retrieving the plane, so I walked up to her, plane in hand. I don't like cops, but I made and effort not to start off with "what's the problem".
She tells me the PD was called by an individual complaining about my flying - saying I was too close to the airport. She asked me if I had ID, and I handed her my DL and the FAA registration. She looks at the FAA card and says: "so, we've been wondering how this works". I then explained about the requirements, how everyone has to be registered as of this month, the safety guidance, the fact that FAA controls the airspace and has jurisdiction over local use, etc etc. By this time, her supervisor, a captain has walked over. She explains it all to him. Also by this time, dispatch radios in to say the local airport has no complaints. Then I explain about the AMA, modelers vs drones, that we too are upset by poor judgment of the drone guys and understand the concerns etc. I indicated to them that everything, including an LEO "kit" is available on FAA.gov. By this time, the captain had brought up the website on his ipad, and stated to her "there is no issue here - we will educate our guys on procedures here".
And that was that. That FAA card saved me a lot of trouble.
#39
Nicely done! You've got good LEOs there too - willing to listen and learn something.
Well done indeed!!
Well done indeed!!
#40
My Feedback: (2)
Well, as of today, I am a big fan of registration.
Situation: Haven't been to the field in a while due to work etc. (it takes me 1 hr to get there) so I decided to keep my thumbs up to date by taking my 64MM F-18 to the local park. It being a weekday and 2pm, no one was there, which is my personal rule for flying anything in parks. If there are kids and/or people around, I don't fly. Anyway, after the second flight, I hear "sir, sir" behind me and turn around to see a cop coming my way. I had just landed and was retrieving the plane, so I walked up to her, plane in hand. I don't like cops, but I made and effort not to start off with "what's the problem".
She tells me the PD was called by an individual complaining about my flying - saying I was too close to the airport. She asked me if I had ID, and I handed her my DL and the FAA registration. She looks at the FAA card and says: "so, we've been wondering how this works". I then explained about the requirements, how everyone has to be registered as of this month, the safety guidance, the fact that FAA controls the airspace and has jurisdiction over local use, etc etc. By this time, her supervisor, a captain has walked over. She explains it all to him. Also by this time, dispatch radios in to say the local airport has no complaints. Then I explain about the AMA, modelers vs drones, that we too are upset by poor judgment of the drone guys and understand the concerns etc. I indicated to them that everything, including an LEO "kit" is available on FAA.gov. By this time, the captain had brought up the website on his ipad, and stated to her "there is no issue here - we will educate our guys on procedures here".
And that was that. That FAA card saved me a lot of trouble.
Situation: Haven't been to the field in a while due to work etc. (it takes me 1 hr to get there) so I decided to keep my thumbs up to date by taking my 64MM F-18 to the local park. It being a weekday and 2pm, no one was there, which is my personal rule for flying anything in parks. If there are kids and/or people around, I don't fly. Anyway, after the second flight, I hear "sir, sir" behind me and turn around to see a cop coming my way. I had just landed and was retrieving the plane, so I walked up to her, plane in hand. I don't like cops, but I made and effort not to start off with "what's the problem".
She tells me the PD was called by an individual complaining about my flying - saying I was too close to the airport. She asked me if I had ID, and I handed her my DL and the FAA registration. She looks at the FAA card and says: "so, we've been wondering how this works". I then explained about the requirements, how everyone has to be registered as of this month, the safety guidance, the fact that FAA controls the airspace and has jurisdiction over local use, etc etc. By this time, her supervisor, a captain has walked over. She explains it all to him. Also by this time, dispatch radios in to say the local airport has no complaints. Then I explain about the AMA, modelers vs drones, that we too are upset by poor judgment of the drone guys and understand the concerns etc. I indicated to them that everything, including an LEO "kit" is available on FAA.gov. By this time, the captain had brought up the website on his ipad, and stated to her "there is no issue here - we will educate our guys on procedures here".
And that was that. That FAA card saved me a lot of trouble.
Holding an FAA registration should have no bearing on the cop's decision to resolve the complaint. As a matter of fact, instead of properly asking you to leave if you are too close to an airport, they could have not only asked you to leave but then used the registration to take action against you. If in fact you have violated the FAA interpretation of the airspace, the FAA card is the tool they intend to use to persue any action the cop is willing to do paperwork for.
This incident implies that since we have FAA cards we are legal to own and fly a model aircraft. So that's a good thing now? Sounds like that was how the police interpreted it. What about the original complaint that sent the cops there in the first place?
Last edited by Chris Smith; 02-11-2016 at 05:47 AM.
#41
The police responded to a call about being too close to an airport.
Holding an FAA registration should have no bearing on the cop's decision to resolve the complaint. As a matter of fact, instead of properly asking you to leave if you are too close to an airport, they could have not only asked you to leave but then used the registration to take action against you. If in fact you have violated the FAA interpretation of the airspace, the FAA card is the tool they intend to use to persue any action the cop is willing to do paperwork for.
This incident implies that since we have FAA cards we are legal to own and fly a model aircraft. So that's a good thing now? Sounds like that was how the police interpreted it. What about the original complaint that sent the cops there in the first place?
Holding an FAA registration should have no bearing on the cop's decision to resolve the complaint. As a matter of fact, instead of properly asking you to leave if you are too close to an airport, they could have not only asked you to leave but then used the registration to take action against you. If in fact you have violated the FAA interpretation of the airspace, the FAA card is the tool they intend to use to persue any action the cop is willing to do paperwork for.
This incident implies that since we have FAA cards we are legal to own and fly a model aircraft. So that's a good thing now? Sounds like that was how the police interpreted it. What about the original complaint that sent the cops there in the first place?
During Super Bowl, I was out on a four hour walk around the city. since I couldn't do any flying at the club I belong to since it's within 32 miles from Levi's stadium. I was walking through densely populated residential areas in the city of San Mateo CA. I look up and I see a quad drone buzzing all over back and fourth maybe 300 feet over the houses. I watched it land on the back deck of a house which is on a hill. Deal with that is, no one was supposed to be flying r/c within something like 32 miles of Levi's stadium. This drone was flying well within the 32 miles (as the crow flies) from the stadium. So basically two things were going on here. 1) A drone was being flown over a densely populated residential area. And 2) In a location that was deemed a no-fly zone because of the Super Bowl. Guess someone doesn't mind dicking with the system. But there's also the saying: "mess with the bull and you're going to get the horns".
These are the individuals who have caused what we have now with the FAA. These are the individuals who continue to do stupid things with r/c. And these are going to be the same individuals who if/when caught are going to be hammered by authorities for doing the things they are not supposed to be doing.
Last edited by SushiHunter; 02-11-2016 at 11:35 AM.
#43
Hey guys,
I went ahead and registered today and it was simple and quick. But I have recently bought a bigger plane and I really dont understand the 55 pound and over registration process. If someone has done this already can you please let me know how you did it? Thanks
Steven
I went ahead and registered today and it was simple and quick. But I have recently bought a bigger plane and I really dont understand the 55 pound and over registration process. If someone has done this already can you please let me know how you did it? Thanks
Steven
#44
The guy who called in is either mis-informed or intentionally made up some story, and the cops don't know about the FAA's NAS rules, and so had no idea whether the complaint was legitimate or not.
This incident implies that since we have FAA cards we are legal to own and fly a model aircraft. So that's a good thing now?