speedracerntrixie

My Feedback: (29)

I’ve been patiently waiting for this announcement. Looks like along with the sanction paperwork a request for higher altitudes up to 1,200’ can be granted. Great news for us soaring, IMAC and pattern guys. Huge win for traditional R/C!


https://contentsharing.net/actions/email_mobile_web_version.cfm?recipient_id=35904511 54&message_id=22826624&user_id=MODELAIR&jobid=58966484

BarracudaHockey

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So it seems they (the FAA) can grant altitude waivers in Class G airspace.

Big win for AMA

astrohog

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Big win from not having to have a waiver at all?

Nice spin!

Astro

speedracerntrixie

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Unrealistic to think that would have ever happened.

astrohog

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How easily you forget, "How we've always flown".

Never had to have a waiver in the past.

Nice spin, though!

Astro

speedracerntrixie

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I’ve come to the conclusion that you just like to gripe. Now that we have a legal avenue to continue with certain forms of flying, your still griping. Gripe when it’s illegal, grip when it’s legal. Your worse then a woman scorned. At least she would eventually get over the situation.

astrohog

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There you go with the name-calling again, just can't help yourself, can you?

I didn't disparage the fact that there is now a process we can follow in order to get a waiver, I simply pointed out that we used to enjoy that privilege without any application process. It is important, as there is a narrative repeated here that, "nothing has changed, we fly as we always have" and it simply isn't true.

Astro

speedracerntrixie

My Feedback: (29)

Sure it is. If you got off your butt and went to a flying field you would see little to no change from 10 years ago. In fact didn’t you drop by Wenatchee a couple years ago and grip that people were flying over 400’?

astrohog

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LOL. No, it wasn't a gripe at all. I, personally, could care less whether people fly over 400' or not because I think it is a stupid rule, BUT it IS bad optics and it IS breaking the law. My post from a couple of years ago was merely an observation, but spin it all you want as long as you think it fits your narrative.

Astro

FUTABA-RC

Great you can get a waiver for a contest. Now, how do you practice for that contest you need a waiver to fly in?

speedracerntrixie

My Feedback: (29)

Bill, what I’m going to suggest to my club that has pattern and IMAC events to send in sanctions and applications for waivers for a few practice days as well. I imagine this could lead to a higher emphasis placed on the caller. For soaring, these days it’s fairly easy to get times, practicing landings don’t require flying over 400’ and IMO are over 50% of a competitive score.

speedracerntrixie

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If you truly don’t care about people flying over 400’ why keep bringing it up? Why post anything in this thread? As far as your observation from a couple years ago, it was business as usual right. That obviously supports what I have been saying. These new event waivers also supports my view that there are examples of FAA working with us as opposed to giving us rope.

astrohog

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Like I said, spin it however you want........

Astro

aymodeler

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I will probably regret jumping back in, but I'd like to just say that this news is a perfect example of the world not being all black or all white like many people who post on internet boards like to claim. While this certainly isn't everything we might want it is a step in the right direction. It also is concrete evidence that the FAA is not out to simply crush the hobby. It also shows that the AMA is still able to advocate for the hobby with the FAA. So while this is far from perfect it gives me confidence that the hobby can continue to find a path forward even in a world of increasing UAS regulation.

This is positive news for the hobby on many different levels and I will choose to treat it as such (at least that's what my spin is)!

speedracerntrixie

My Feedback: (29)

Yep, it’s easy for anyone who wants to see the writing on the wall. The FAA approves a waiver system for events. Where are events taking place? Schoolyards? Parks? Nope, they will be taking place at FRIAs. Sounds like the FAA realizes that they can’t enforce the 400’ altitude limit. Even Astro reluctantly admits that at a WA. AMA jamboree in 2021 that the 400’ altitude limit was not taken seriously. So the FAA has now given us a legal tool to use but the waiver application is part of a sanction. How many CBOs do event sanctions? That’s right folks, only AMA. So, what we now have is a situation where members of a dues collecting organization are getting a higher degree of privileges to the NAS then non members. Looks like someone is loosing his war.



I especially find this recent post from our resident “ aviation expert “ quite amusing.



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.
Quote

franklin_m

Hey, good for them. But there is absolutely nothing that prevents other CBOs from "sanctioning" events too. Maybe their members don't care. Maybe they will in the future, in which case the AMA spent the travel dollars and the staff time, but all the other orgs will benefit from it. Sounds like they made the right move.

But the reality is think about what event sanctions bring. First, I don't think you should be so quick to assume that they'll always be approved. Second, each one then identifies to the FAA exactly where to go looking if they feel so inclined. And then there's the financials. Do you really expect clubs to start doubling, tripling, or even more the number of sanction fees they pay just to fly above 400? Which brings up the real threat to AMA ... financial.

This approval doesn't change that they're a discretionary hobby heading into a recession. It doesn't change that inflation is quite likely hitting the organization hard. It doesn't change the increasing age of members. It doesn't change the hit their investments likely suffered.

init4fun

OK guys, help an old guy out here, will ya ? Two questions WRT financials;

#1, How much are the "Sanctioned Event" fees ?

And

#2, Does the FAA charge for the "Altitude Waivers", and if so how much ?

astrohog

My Feedback: (1)

More spin.

When I posted two years ago, I posted that, although the WRAF field is less than a mile from an active airport, and there were no waivers granted for this AMA jamboree, the 400' rule was not being observed by the event participants.

I was not reluctant in admitting it, I posted it on my own free will to provide my actual experiences regarding AMA's blatant disrespect for the law.

Astro

BarracudaHockey

My Feedback: (11)

25 which provides additional insurance
No

speedracerntrixie

My Feedback: (29)

The reluctance is that you won’t admit although you saw with your own eyes, operations at flying fields are unchanged.

The only person spinning here is you, to the degree that you have no clue which way you are pointing.

speedracerntrixie

My Feedback: (29)

Either you’re kidding or clueless. You obviously don’t know what a sanction is. It’s directly linked to additional insurance for an event. How many CBOs offer insurance? That’s right only one. So yes, it’s only AMA chartered clubs that can apply for an event waiver.

I never stated that they all would be approved or even imply they would did I?

Event sanctions have always been published in the back of Model Aviation. We also have SIG web pages such as NSRCA, IMAC, NMPRA etc. where contest/event announcements can be found. Are you saying that FAA employees aren’t smart enough to find locations and dates for events?

$25 per sanction…..BFD

Yes the economy is affecting us all, do you have numbers that support a drop in 2023 membership? I have some numbers for you. Molalla R/C association. 50 member cap, all spots filled. Clark County R/C, as of Feb 10, 147 members. An all time high for that early in the year. People are not going to forgo membership when the economy is down, they put some projects on hold and fly what they have, shop smarter, buy/sell equipment at swap meets, help one another out. This is the part of the hobby you know nothing about.

astrohog

My Feedback: (1)

LOL. The only reason things are unchanged is because the AMA is refusing to abide the new rules. (as far as the WRAF discussion).

I know exactly where I'm pointing. You, on the other hand, are trying to morph your narrative to reality and it simply doesn't fit.

The fact is that the new rules definitely change how we've operated, UNLESS, of course, you just choose to ignore the new rules. LOL

Keep on spinning.....

Astro

speedracerntrixie

My Feedback: (29)

Quote:

Originally Posted by astrohog

LOL. The only reason things are unchanged is because the AMA is refusing to abide the new rules

Dude, just stop. I feel embarrassed for you. Like I said, no idea where you are pointing. You’re so intent on the fight you can’t even comprehend what it is you’re typing. Take your meds and go to bed.

init4fun

Thank You Andy, I appreciate your answers to my questions.

franklin_m

Please cite the section of US Code or the FARs that require insurance. Oh, that's right, the insurance requirement exists only in your mind.

I'll give you that. But the fact remains, not all will be approved.

First, saying they're in the back of MA assumes facts not in evidence, that FAA receives copies of that magazine. I doubt that. But regardless, having their own internal list of them, via the approval process, does make it considerably easier to track them down. Plus, that altitude approval is a document of record, and binding, which AMA's rag - excuse me - magazine, is not.

I guess these clubs are awash in money? Also, don't forget that will add additional requriement that one or more club members become CDs/EMs (for which AMA also charges). Lastly, 30 days in advance ... plus FAA processing time. Even more admin overhead. How many clubs are going to jump through those hoops each and every time? Remains to be seen.

Citing two isolated examples does not define a national trend.

AMA's IRS990 filings do however show a trend. Over the last ten years, 2011 - 2021 (last year I have a 990), their charter club fees are down 10.5% in constant year inflation adjusted dollars. As to membership in general, those same IRS990 reports show that the only meaningful measure of membership - membership revenue - is down over 13% across the same period.