ORIGINAL: rhklenke
Hey, you should check out the AMA. Its an organization whos members are model aircraft designers, builders, and flyers. It *effectively* regulates model aircraft activity through its insurance process and it in fact, *does* limit model aircraft to 25 kilos (actually 55 lbs) and also *effectively* requires a "license" for model aircraft larger than that. It has about 300,000 members - almost as many as the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and many more than the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA).
The FAA seems to use that 55 lb limit a lot. I wonder where they got that number? Hey, maybe they actually talk with the AMA about things like that?!?
If the AMA didn't use "influence" (a.k.a. safety code) to keep aermodelers in check and to fly with some sort of safety and guidelines, then who would? Let me guess, we'd be able to police ourselves? Yeah that would go over as well as taking away speed limits from the roads and expect drivers to use their best judgement.