I would like to know how your AMA chartered club is handling the appearance of these types of aircraft at your field? Are they welcome, not allowed etc? We have had a rouge flyer appear in our area flying autonomous aircraft and is clearly not abiding by the AMA guidelines for such aircraft. Obviously we do not want him as a member, but are these types of aircraft a threat to our existence as more conventional aircraft are our focus? We certainly do not want a news report of an out of control UAV or FPV aircraft originating from our club field.
Being that this is a new area of model aviation, it seems the clubs need to address how we handle these types of aircraft. I am wondering if the FAA is even going to allow them in the near future. I am sure they will be taxed or regulated heavily.

At one club site in my locality, the issue was considered quite recently. A number of proposed restraints on their operation were brought up, but ultimately the decision was reached to allow them to fly with only compliance with AMA FPV Ops Doc 550 required. At another club's site, there has been no overt attempt to either accept or limit their operation, but compliance with AMA SC is expected, as for any other types. At latter club site, test flights of a commercial sUAS have been permitted by the site owning public entity. Though not required to by the site owner, the club has been generous with allowing the operators of the system and other developer personnel to use club facilities, and members have been cordial to them and clearly interested in observing.

Our stance is as long as they are in compliance with the AMA we allow them. It is difficult to educate all club members of the regs, but we are trying. The problem is when you have an FPV operator that does not care about the AMA rules. We certainly do not want an aircraft originating from our field that is buzzing the city or worse crashes and causes damage somewhere.
I guess beyond the fact that our club guidelines will parallel with the AMA, should we go further, or even outright ban them? Will they even be allowed in the future with upcoming FAA regs?
I am just asking these questions, as I would like to do the right things to preserve our flying site.

At our field as long as they are AMA compliant, ( note spotter required, or primary pilot is non-FPV ) then they are permitted.

We just said no FPV at our field because a AMA member father/son team couldn't follow AMA guidelines. All it takes is one idiot to queer the deal for the rest of us.

Good going. Guys like you are what gives AMA the reputation it deserves. You are an assit to model aviation as well...

BTW I am not exactly sure what rule it was they broke that made you're grate club kick the father and son team out but by the sheer virtue of them having a FPV model I am sure you guys did the right thing....for them...

It doesn't have to be like this - your club could have addressed the rule violators instead of restricting everyone else - wait, are we talking about planes? Sounds all to familiar.

Kurt

Line of sight, altitute, dead line, no pilot in command, not following safety officer's request to follow AMA guidelines.

Did they queer the deal for any other FPV flier - yes they did. From reading here in RC Universe and E-Zone the prevalient attitude among FPV fliers is the H*** with AMA rules and guidelines.

Bassically we read about the lack of concern and the first FPV flier thumbs their noses at us, so, so long. No more chances for that subgoup of those that do not follow AMA.

Hmmm... the FPV guys around are very safety conscientious... never a problem one. Must be something queer over there...

In the 25 years that I've lived in this area I've never seen anyone besides me and maybe one other guy do an outside loop at the local AMA club field.
Bearing this in mind...they would allow "AMA correct" flight of UAVs if any were to show up.

Great Job! Outstanding research. Excellent sourcing!

Kurt

One thing that always seems to be missing in these FPV discussions is this ;

This whole business of banning an AMA approved method of flight at AMA chartered clubs is the doing of people who can't be bothered to follow the already existing protocols for dealing with any breaking of AMA rules or of club rules . EVERY club has written provisions for the layers of punishment for steppin outside of the rules and none of those provisions outline the wholesale banning of an entire method of flight due to a few rulebreakers . As long as FPV remains an AMA condoned method of flight under doc. 550 wouldn't it be in the club's best interest to have the safety officer step up and call out violations of doc. 550 or of ANY other infraction whether FPV related or not ? If the safety officer has the right approach of equal measures of diplomacy and authority you can bet the rulebreakers will either straighten up or go elsewhere to pull their shenanigans , much to the benifit of the club with no blanket bans required . Punish the rulebreakers rather than the tools or systems they use to break the rules . What a novel concept !!!!

Well thats one take... but a few guys at the field with little understanding of rules making decisions for everyone else is much more streamlined. Simple, just ban whatever based on perception.

I can see there are sad days at the AMA clubs. Ban them is the fix. Please ..... I have not read 550 but now I will. Maybe the next newscast will be I am flying my FPV around my house due to the local RC club said they did not allow me to fly there.

How I see it today, FPV is not evil. Just another subject poor acting clubs can run off a AMA member and turn him into a outlaw flyer as they called in the forums.

I think I will read what the wise people at the AMA have come up with.

Crash99

Ok, I read 550 and as long as they have a person next to them with a AMA membership and the pilot is a AMA member, they are not breaking the rule 550, then this is a non issue. Over all it is up to each club but will your club be good or bad for the AMA.

So what is the FPV aircraft? Plane, heli, quad? 2.4, 72 or WIFI controlled? Are we talking about ar drone?

Crash99

In Canada MAAC rules are quite simple. Pilot in control must have visual at all times as per normal. FPV pilot on buddy box. On top of that MAAC safety rules and club rules to be followed. So the only addition for FPV would be the pilot in control. Like any other member there should be controls within the club structure to deal with those who do not follow the rules. Every club should have this in their bylaws so there is a uniform and fair way to address members who act out without respect for others.
A very small club I am aware of had 4 or 5 heli flyers join. All were good friends and one thought the rules were for others. After several altercations his membership application was not accepted the following year. This was through a majority vote of the club. The other heli flyers were so enraged they also flew without regard for others often bringing the banned pilot and allowing him to fly their chopper. The plank flyers being in the majority held a special meeting and consequently banned all helis from the field. The heli pilots of course objected stating they had paid a years dues but had failed to read the club application that clearly stated the consequences for continual irresponsible behavior. They asked for the dues to be returned and were also told no. Yes a few can ruin it for others. I know quite a few heli pilots and I cannot think of one that would act this irresponsible. It does happen and unfortunately it paints everyone with the same brush. Sad.

Dennis