ECHO24

MAAC members are no longer exempt from Canada's drone (RPAS) rules.
https://www.suasnews.com/2023/02/tra...-model-flying/

Propworn

My Feedback: (3)

The exemption was open-ended no set time limit one way or the other. It could be cancelled at the discretion of Transport Canada. Contravening any of the articles set down in the agreement would be, cause enough to get the exemption cancelled. That's exactly what happened some did not take the articles in the agreement seriously and as zone directors authorized clubs in controlled airspace without getting the ok from the controlling body (airport or aerodrome). As a result of this the exemption has been removed, and we return to a 400 ft altitude limit and licensing of all pilots and the models. At this time negotiations are still ongoing to return to the exemptions, time will tell.

Someone once said the exemptions were very nice but can we hang on to them. Its proven to be harder than expected.

Dennis

ECHO24

Same thing here eventually. The FAA is saying pending FRIA approval RCers will have to comply with Remote ID. The FAA is also saying to expect up tp 4 months for a FRIA approval. Not sure if that means concurrently but at that rate it will be years just for AMA fields. In the meantime, the FAA might just decide it's all too much of a nuisance go the way of Transport Canada, the same rules for all hobby UAS.

astrohog

My Feedback: (1)

The Feds don't want to regulate, "Us" and we fly just like we always have......

Astro

Propworn

My Feedback: (3)

To be honest this cavalier attitude is what has lead transport canada to revoke the exemptions we were enjoying. Don't be surprised if it comes to roost in your nest.

init4fun

Hi Dennis,

I believe Astro is being sarcastic here, taking a poke at the notion of "it's business as usual, fly as you always have" that has been posted here in the past.

Now, as to what's going on with the situation our northern neighbors face; I am truly sorry to hear this, for real. I actually had hope that the Canadian agreement would serve as a great example of what can be achieved when groups like MAAC work WITH their regulatory body, rather than starting off by suing them as the AMA did with the FAA. To see the MAAC agreement fall apart is a blow to us all, as the regulatory noose draws ever tighter around the hobby's neck.

mongo

My Feedback: (15)

unfortunately, this current situ in the great white north, is just as likely to be used as an example of how to proceed by our regulating folks here.

franklin_m

You and I so seldom agree, but this is one case where I agree.

I argue the AMA shows a similar cavalier attitude with respect to the conduct of its members at sanctioned events and hope to be FRIA locations .. specifically compliance with altitude restrictions. I predict that over time, unless the AMA shows that it will hold members accountable, it's not IF we see similar things here, but just WHEN.

Propworn

My Feedback: (3)

I disagree MAAC when made aware of violations have shut down clubs before. When made aware of sites approved though they were in controlled airspace MAAC shut down the whole organization until it could be sorted out. No excuses or making light of the transgression. It was a few new zone directors that either didn't understand, care or believe just how serious Transport Canada was about following the rules of the exemption agreement and because of the actions of a few individuals the whole organization suffers. To lay the blame on the whole organization or MAAC leadership for the actions of a few is ridiculous.

mongo

My Feedback: (15)

who's job was it to educate those few individuals as to the importance of their positions and their decisions...

ECHO24

Whatever the details with MAAC, the problem is the same everywhere. Politicians and decision makers who grew up around RC model planes or were involved in the hobby themselves are dying out. Most in charge now only know about drones, a negative, something only to be tolerated. When you have to explain that RC model aircraft are different you've already lost.

ECHO24

Case in point about lawmakers having no love for drones, a Missouri State legislative committee just approve a bill prohibiting drones below under 400' over private property, mirroring the ULC. I email the committee chair, Adam Schnelting, pointing out that my understanding was the FAA had sole authority over all airspace, including below 200 feet, except for take off and landing, and asked if I was missing something.
https://www.columbiamissourian.com/n...ac88eeed9.html

I received a form email stating that only constituents receive replies from representatives. Today, I received a reply from a staffer in Schnelting's office who said they would pass along the message. You would think the background law would be thoroughly researched for a proposal like this, but the chair and other members of the committee appear to be citizen legislators who have other professions or are business owners.

fliers1

It Wasn't An Error - TC Planned to Capture Fixed Wing Models in Part IX

Folks ....

I've been in touch with a sailplane friend in the US with good FAA contacts. They consider everything that flies to be an RPAS and is clearly meant to lump fixed wing, helicopters and quadcopters into the title "Drones" and regulate it. The term was ... "If it flies, the reg applies."

The only "carve out" is the sub-250 gram units ... dime store toys.

Transport Canada harmonize aviation regulations and practises with the FAA as much as possible.

So up until this evening, I was willing to give my former colleagues at Transport Canada the benefit of the doubt based upon their universal general ignorance of model airplanes.

Unfortunately... they actually did mean to "grab our stuff."

That dashes my belief that even under my personal "Faint Hope Clause" this debacle could end by properly defining the difference between our models and commercial operation of "quadcopter drones" and would let us carry on as we once were.

I can guarantee that TC won't ever, ever roll-back their involvement in our hobby now they have it within their control.

Those days are gone, and gone for good.

Once they have their tentacles into an area, they never ever back out of it.

Inside TC, the attitude is "Too bad, so sad ... it sucks to be you doesn't it? Further, we have the time and money to just sit and wait you out. If you're caught, there's a whole Enforcement Branch to look after you scofflaws."

So what we have at the moment is the way it will be for decades to come.

In view of this information, I find this to be a very, very dark evening.

combatpigg

My Feedback: (3)

Though mostly limited to strafing or bombing runs...fixed wing hobby level RC is capable of attacking cars on the freeway, stadiums full of people, school yards, city streets, poisoning open reservoirs, shorting out power lines, etc.
All it will take is an epidemic of this sort of activity by those who hate our society to shut all of us down.
The FAA is being pre-emptive and using some forward thinking ability.
Yes...if there were more FAA people emotionally connected to our hobby that would obviously help.
It wouldn't surprise me to see years from now just a few government run designated flying areas equipped with "electronic tethers" that only the most avid flyers would be willing to travel to out in the middle of nowhere.

ira d

I agree