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A lot or most AMA RC fields are at and/or within the 5 mile restricted area for flying RC's.

I understand it cost $75 to join/register with AMA and there is no AMA RC fields near me anyway, so that's out anyway.

Is the FAA making things worse as there is already Laws on the book for this ?

Bob B.

ShowMaster wrote:Will the AMA pay the $27K fine for members the FAA can now impose for certain violations, altitude being one of them?
The airport almost shut down our field Thursday and indicated that if the 400ft rule is not adhered to, they may! The fields been there 50 years!
I'm going with FAA trumps AMA and we all suffer. AMA membership is falling due to many flyers not wanting to pay the dues, and they went up for 2016. If every Rc flyer would join, the AMA would have some real power. They are asking for donations to their legal fund. I'll bet few have donated member or not!
I fear they are powerless, or are becoming that way.

ShowMaster,

Sorry to hear. I must presume that it is an AMA sanctioned field and an AMA club to go with it.

The flying fields that are within a 5 mile radius of a controlled airport (control tower) are lost. So are the ones that are in certain controlled airspace.

If this is not the case then you really need to contact your AMA Representative.

400 ft rather low for most medium to large model airplanes.

There are also pilots that will complain that they saw a "drone" or rc airplane even though you were below the 400ft ceiling. There are just grumpy people.

Sorry, João, it's a fact.

Bruneaux

bob195558 wrote:A lot or most AMA RC fields are at and/or within the 5 mile restricted area for flying RC's.

I understand it cost $75 to join/register with AMA and there is no AMA RC fields near me anyway, so that's out anyway.

Is the FFA making things worse as there is already Laws on the book for this ?

Bob B.

Bob,

You are copping out. You don't have to fly at an AMA field to get the protection of the AMA. You should have already had your AMA card when you started flying.
Many countries require a fee and TRAINING before you can fly RC aircraft. You are lucky.
This mess is because of multi-rotors (hate to call the 'drones'). So you a 'target' for the haters and complainers.
You are either part of of problem or part of the solution.
If you want to protect your hobby them pony up for the AMA dues and carry papers to document that you have the right to fly within AMA's rules. And abide by those rules. And when a cop shows up then show the documentation and try to explain it. Don't fight with them. Leave if they tell you too.

Bruneaux

jhsa wrote:If you fly near an airport it is normal the they apply the 400ft limit, and I do understand why they worry so much about the model flying over that altitude. Many people that are in the hobby have no idea of what is being up there and how dangerous it could be an aircraft meeting a model. Just look what bird strikes do to airplanes. The good thing is that now we have telemetry so we can control the altitude better and avoid upsetting the authorities as well as putting human lives in danger.
I like to fly low as I do like to see my model and not just a little point on the sky..

João

João,

Soaring is almost the opposite. The feel of catching a thermal and riding it up to sky is awesome. I have 4m sailplanes and it is easy to see them quite high. They don't move like powered aircraft and you have to be very focused to see the wings move when a thermal pushes them aside. As with AMA guidelines we have spotters to watch for full size aircraft. Usually the 2/4 seat airplanes make enough noise the we here them before we see them. And they are always way over our altitude, unless it is a crop duster. And we don't want to be there if they are spraying!

I've flown the right seat with a lot with friends. I'm considering getting my license for Light Sport. But my budget is rather thin. I need to just just 'do it' and get the process started.

Bruneaux

My club's field is well known at the local airfield. We made sure they know where we are. Some of our members are pilots. Except for training, planes must fly at 2000ft or above. I remember once an heli crossing our field much lower. At last minute he realized where he was and saw the models in front of him. Then turned immediately right and flew around the field. But if he was above the minimum altitude there wouldn't have been a problem.. well, there wasn't a problem really
In summer we also have baloons flying low above the field and I had one landing there one evening. It is ok, we just land and watch them fly over. Mutual respect above all.. in my club for example we are not allowed IC powered models after 8 pm and between 12 and 3pm I think, not to bother people that want to rest.. it's just a matter of respect. The only ones that really complain about us are the hunters.. they say that the airplanes scare the animals.. that is because we don't allow them in our property. But apart from that all is golden. With our membership we are insured and are allowed to fly everywhere as long as we do not endanger anyone and the owner of the place allows it..

João

It's not the good responsible flyers that got us into this mess! We have all enjoyed sharing the airspace above 400ft even with restrictions until these, as the news media has named them, showed up in actual airspace with real planes. That put got on the news and on everybody's lips. When I say I fly Rc planes now at any gathering, tuft away I'm asked if I fly drones!
As for the the legality of these new rules reducing our flying altitude freedoms, I'm sure the FAA and fear of taking down a real plane, will win out. One plane strike and we could all be flying U-Control again in an instant.
Also, if you live in or near any big city, there's always an airport near a flying site it seems.
The sites we're there in there in many cases, and the cities and airport came to them.
I used to go to a great, way out in the country side field, in Las Vegas many years ago. Miles from anything. Now casino's are on that land and the city's around them.

The next issue will be if anyone will allow Rc flying in inexpensive private land for Rc flying, even current parks land? Mainly due to fear of liability or illegal types of flying?
LA county has banned all fpv flying because what it can do.

Here is an update FAA Press Release.
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For Immediate Release: January 22, 2016
Press Release – FAA Registered Nearly 300,000 Unmanned Aircraft Owners.
Contact: Jenny Rosenberg, [email protected] or Laura Brown, [email protected] Phone: (202) 267-3883

WASHINGTON – Nearly 300,000 owners have registered their small unmanned aircraft in the first 30 days after the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) online registration system went live. Owners who registered in the first month received a refund for the $5 application fee.

“I am pleased the public responded to our call to register,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “The National Airspace System is a great resource and all users of it, including UAS users, are responsible for keeping it safe.”

The agency continues to see a steady stream of daily registrations. While the refund period expired today, the fee will still cover all the small unmanned aircraft that owners intend to use exclusively for recreational or hobby purposes.

“The registration numbers we’re seeing so far are very encouraging,” said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta.
“We’re working hard to build on this early momentum and ensure everyone understands the registration requirement.”

The FAA’s registration rule, which took effect on December 21, 2015, applies to small unmanned aircraft that weigh between 0.55 lbs. and 55 lbs. Owners of these aircraft must register before they fly outdoors.
People who operated their small unmanned aircraft before December 21 must register by February 19, 2016.
The current online system is only available for owners who intend to use their small unmanned aircraft exclusively for recreational or hobby purposes. The FAA is working to make the online registration system available for non-model aircraft users – such as commercial operators – by March 21.

Registration is simple and is done online. Once the owner enters the required information – complete name, mailing address, physical address, and email address – they receive a registration number and certificate that they can print out.
The certificate includes the registration number that must be marked on all aircraft that meet the registration requirement.
Registration is valid for three years.

In addition to being an education opportunity, registration helps new flyers become part of the safety culture that has been deeply embedded in traditional aviation for more than a century, while still allowing for the recreation and innovation that are staples of American aviation. (https://www.transportation.gov/fastlane ... ncouraging)
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Nothing about what AMA members who abide by the AMA Safety Code, which permits flights above 400 feet under appropriate circumstances,
and are protected by the Special Rule for Model Aircraft under the 2012 FAA Modernization and Reform Act.

Bob B.

Here is an FAA News Release January 6, 2016.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 6- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Huerta today announced
the public release of the B4UFLY mobile application following an initial beta testing period. B4UFLY tells users about current or upcoming requirements and restrictions in areas of the National Airspace System (NAS) where they may want to operate their unmanned aircraft system (UAS). The app is now available for Apple devices and can be downloaded from the App Store.

The FAA also is releasing a beta version of B4UFLY for Android devices, which can be downloaded from Google.

“We expect B4UFLY will help raise public awareness about what it means to operate unmanned aircraft safely,” Huerta said at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, NV. “It is another important part of our education and awareness efforts to foster a culture of safety and accountability for the UAS community.”

The B4UFLY app includes a number of enhancements the FAA developed as a result of user feedback during the beta testing announced in May 2015 . Within two taps, users know if it is safe to fly at their current location. The app provides a status indicator that tells users: “Proceed with Caution,” “Warning – Action Required,” or “Flight Prohibited.” The app also features a planner mode that allows users to select a different time and location for an upcoming flight and determine if there are any restrictions at that place and time.

By law, hobbyists who want to fly within five miles of an airport must notify the airport operator and the air traffic control facility (if there is one) prior to flying. For now, B4UFLY will ask users who are supposed to notify the airport before flying for voluntary information about their planned flight. This will not meet the statutory requirement to notify the airport and air traffic control facility, but the data will help the agency make informed policy decisions related to notification. This information will not be publicly available.

You can find more information on our B4UFLY webpage (http://www.faa.gov/news/updates/?newsId=84508).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by: Bob B.

Have a look.. Old tech versus new tech

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dc_ovddVRKE

João

_ _ _ _ _ _
My 700 Quad with its four BC-5336/11 750kv motors and its 13" x 6.5 Carbon Fiber propellers
will make chopped Chinese chicken feet snack food out of those Eagle Talons (claws). Bob B.

I think the police should consider shooting them down instead of sending the poor birds catching them.

João

Dutch police using live Eagles to retrieve airborne drones ?
Just dose not sound like its a real thing.
The bird's would become permanently injured.
Looks like Dutch police are looking to get funding for there Eagle Hobby.
A Pro-Caliphate Terrorist would need a high-payload capable drone to carry a weapon.
Best thing to do, is to replace/remove the US Pro-Caliphate Museum President so that Pro-Caliphate Museum people lose
there protection, funding and US Pro-Caliphate Policies.

Bob B.

Could we stick to RC please.

This is, it is related !

Bob B.

Lazer/reflected sun gun! If it's not flying responsibly, cremate it where it is so the falling ashes can't do damage!
Rc planes have always been able to deliver payloads. It just took maybe 4 short years to alert the news papers and TV news, that this hobby could be used that way.
Thank you irresponsible quad flyers for that and requiring me to resister with the FAA to fly my sport plane!
Now we organized clubs are forced to police our members to verify the have registered. Same for a new Rc flyer. We won't assume their liability if not registered now. They must show proof, or comeback. No more first flights if not registered.
It was so simple and friendly, now we're club police!

Let us not forget that there were other situations that caught the FAA's eyes.

With FPV equipment people were flying airplanes WAY to high and WAY to far ( 5 miles?!?!). I remember someone that launched an airplane from the top of the Dubai Tower and filmed the FPV flight.

So, in a way, FPV was the tech that caused our pains, goggles or not. The ability for people to see FPV, and film it, is the smoking gun.

Bruneaux

But FPV can be done safely and without invading anyone else's privacy. The problem is that some people want more and like the danger. Many have no idea of what they are doing, and that can also lead to dangerous situations. We RC modelers tend to talk about ourselves as "Pilots". WRONG. Pilots need to know much more than just fly a model around, whether is FPV or not..

João

I was venting I admit. But...
As a person that also helps on network news gathering, the "drones" are on the priority hit list, not a model plane. Right behind Bill Cosby for negative news. I won't dwell on it here, but to say a few isolated model Rc planes flying irresponsibility brought all the heat to the hobby is IMO stretching the facts.
Many local private clubs are banning quads. They're being asked to secure their own land and organize. Hovering craft in a giant scale or turbines flight path are difficult to avoid, unlike many planes flying a defined pattern.
I totally accept and embrace the technology, just not who's flying them on the 6 o'clock news.
I'll give its rest, but it had to be said.
Rc planes for 60 years or more didn't cause this current firestorm of bad press.

ShowMaster wrote: Rc planes for 60 years or more didn't cause this current firestorm of bad press.

True..

Deleted

This just went back up today in park area soccer field the drones took over. Story has it the park ranger visited to see what was flying, and saw his office entrance way across the park on a camera drones display monitor? They weren't using goggles do to the new line of sight law. This was past that!
The signs went up Monday, were torn down Tuesday, and will be metal signs now asap according to the park ranger. Things just keep going wrong for these persons. They thought it was our club that did it! Sadly for them, we didn't! We honestly don't want to get the ranger too involved since we also use park land. Low profile we've enjoyed for many happy years. Now we're all drone pilots to the FAA! Ugh!

Unfortunately all Federal Parks are now "No Drone" zones. Even a simple park flyer will get in trouble.

Sad.

Next it will be State and City parks. The only winner is the company that is making the signs.

We fly at a State park and have signs that indicate that the area is (maybe was) dedicated to the local RC Club and AMA. Just waiting to get kicked out.

Bruneaux

This is a very large city park 2.5 miles from a very busy airport.
Rc planes flown there for over 60 years now we see these signs.

Ok, this won't help, the damage has, and is being done, every day now. I think the issue is that we were modelers are happy to fly inside provided boundaries, pretty stealth. This new hobby is all about flying outside the boundaries and at high elevations, to "see" what's out there to be seen. So much equipment, antenna farms, monitors tripods! I do news and tv show shoots with less equipment and equipment cases?
We're told they are just sport flying, so why the elaborate setups to fly around in visual range?
I'm all for the low level video racing quad, but they can't even find a place now with these setups. Different mind sets! I don't think I've ever seen a small racing quad on the 6 o'clock news. I think they're getting a bad rap from these others that are.
Too bad, I was going to give goggle racing a try at Xmas, but this firestorm of new rules kicked in and I decided to stick with fixed wing. There haven't been on any news casts that I can ever remember?
Venting further won't fix this. We have a local Rc boat pond that I may have to check out ha ha.
Using FPV may be fun. No signs there yet until we stress out the ducks and get kicked out. There is a walking path around the pond, so I'm sure I can get some inappropriate videos on hot days that will get me kicked out, or on the news.
I could be famous!

Just make sure you operate the boat in visual range and below 400ft ha ha ha.
Don't forget to register it
João

Another idiot:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNyM1NCpQaI

João

Remember that you don't want to be "that guy"!

I bet the FAA is going to make him the poster child (ie. smacked with fines!). "Don't be this guy!" And you know what, I'm fine with that. He deserves to get the fines.

The main lesson of that one seems to be if your drone crashes, don't go ask security to retrieve it for you.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Yeah, but cameras might have material that could link the "drone" to its owner..
Certain countries, like Portugal for example, have a huge fingerprint database. Basically, every citizen or resident. It would be very easy to find the person operating the model, if the police really wanted to.

João

Well it happened this weekend! After 65 years of uninterrupted Rc flying, the airport police shut down our field. They did it for 1 hour and gave an education presentation as well as took question and answered. One was trying to single out the drones from the fixed wing flyers. FYI, this time it was fixed wing that brought them out for flying over 400 ft, their 400 ft, not ours!
The reply to the drone question was that now under the recently passed FAA law, we're no longer divided into categories! All Rc aircraft flyers are now airmen under FAA jurisdiction those there say they were told. Any aircraft over 400ft will be dealt with if they come to the field, with posable fines starting at $27500 to $250K!
They also pointed out that FPV is not allowed at this field now!
Some argue that a screen is not FPV flying. I'm not interested in that fight!
I'm sure someone will be!
I just sport fly fixed wing planes and don't need to go over 400ft, or fpv at this field!
65 years of trouble free flying lost to the new order flyer!
I fear that it will spread as more tic off local airports or full sized plane pilots!

@ShowMaster

Sorry to here it. Not much to say that has not been said.

I just saw another YouTube video of multi-rotor (drone) aircraft flying up to 3300ft in January.

Morons. God help us!

Bruneaux