ORIGINAL: macr0t0r
Alright, FAA slapped together a policy and asked for voluntary compliance. I'm going to assume that if AMA ignored them, then FAA would take the next step to make it law (safe assumption, really). Since it is being kept as only a policy, it can be more easily changed. Dave Brown has requested in the past about extending the limit to 700' or 1000'.
Does anybody know if this is still being debated? Was it shut down, or did FAA say "we'll think about it."
As far as I know the AMA HQ folks are still working on this actively. I have not heard if the FAA has made a decision or not. Even if they do grant it the situation at EDSF and HSS will not change (nor will it change at Prado) since they are all so close to active airports.
The thing about AC 91-57 is that they will generally ignore it until we come to their attention, hence the fact that there are no worries at most places. However, if you are in a situation where you DO get their attention, then they will use it to limit your activities. That is the situation at the 3 fields out here where it has happened. All three are within 3 miles of busy airports and all three got the attention of the FAA folks at the Long Beach FSDO.
As mentioned in other posts, the FAA has granted Certificate of Authorization (COA) for special events, even at venues close to airports. The key is establishing a positive relationship with them.
In most places that I know of gliders have not had any real problems. I get around to a fair number of glider fields and HSS and EDSF are the only ones that I know have specific problems, and these are related to being so close to major airports. The other half dozen or so glider clubs in SOCAL do not have these problems. None of the other clubs I have been to in central and northern CA, AZ, or the Midwest have the same problems. Basically it is like I said, unless you do something to attract the attention of the FAA it is not an issue. But once you DO get their attention be prepared for them to use AC 91-57 and to make it clear that they do indeed own the airspace of the US.