Originally Posted by
Hydro Junkie
Because it presently forces anyone that wants to fly to go to a FRIA site and that requires an AMA membership, something that many won't go for.
Wrong. It only forces those who want to
continue flying without Remote ID to do so.
As I see it, you have the same choices as someone who is an AMA member now. You can buy Remote ID compliant planes when they become available, and fly anywhere you want. Or you can continue to fly without Remote ID, which means joining a CBO and club to gain access to their FRIA.
You aren't being asked to do anything MORE than anyone else who flies at the FRIA does. Why should you expect to use the field for free?
As an AMA member I have the same problem you do. I have a pasture field beside my home and sometimes fly there. That's going to be out once the grace period is over (UMX models excepted). There is also a nice field at a State park that doesn't have a club. I've often flown there in the past, but that will no longer be an option after the grace period. But at least as a club member I can still fly at the club field - provided FRIA status is granted.
So FRIAs just give people who are willing to pay some extra choices. Don't take that away from us when we've been paying for years already.