ORIGINAL: Derek.Koopowitz
ORIGINAL: jeide
What happens to pattern if the FAA new rules limit R/C to 400 feet maximum altitude? Also R/C gliders and IMAC.
I honestly do not see this happening. I've been on a workgroup that involves all R/C disciplines and the feeling was that the FAA will leave it up to the AMA to determine what the ceiling should be...
That seems at odds with what I have gleaned from conversations with people like Rich Hanson and extensive reading of the available documentation. Initially it was the case but lately I have gotten the impression that things have changed.
The FAA folks that briefed the EC in January mentioned altitude caps within a certain radius of an airport and lateral operating limits. Dave Mathewson's column and Rich's comment seem to imply that they are tightening up from there.
Given that every time you see the FAA mention models they cite AC 91-57, which is where the 400 foot limit comes from, it seems reasonable that this is the direction they are headed. The attached pdf file is an FAA Fact Sheet on sUAS. From that memo, dated July 2010:
Recreational use of the NAS is covered by AC 91-57 which generally limits operations to below 400 feet above ground level and away from airports and air traffic.
We are clearly a recreational use.
The most recent comments from the AMA definitely indicate that the FAA is moving towards more restrictive definitions rather towards greater flexibility.
The AMA has a good web page with the latest info that they are able to share:
http://www.modelaircraft.org/news/ama-faa.aspx