North Coast RC Modelers

Fortunately, the AMA’s efforts have come through and the government isn’t gong to regulate the RC hobby beyond current AMA guidelines, thus keeping regulation self-regulatory through a “community-based” organization (i.e. the AMA). This is great news for us hobbyist, and a great victory against unwarranted government regulation!

Here is the provision of H.R. 658 reagrding model aircraft:

SEC. 336. SPECIAL RULE FOR MODEL AIRCRAFT.

(a)
In General.–Notwithstanding any other provision of law relating to the incorporation of

unmanned aircraft systems into Federal Aviation Administration plans and policies, including
this subtitle, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may not promulgate any
rule or regulation regarding a model aircraft, or an aircraft being developed as a model aircraft,
if–
(1) the aircraft is flown strictly for hobby or recreational use;
(2) the aircraft is operated in accordance with a community-based set of safety guidelines and
within the programming of a nationwide community-based organization;
(3) the aircraft is limited to not more than 55 pounds unless otherwise certified through a design,
construction, inspection, flight test, and operational safety program administered by a
community-based organization;
(4) the aircraft is operated in a manner that does not interfere with and gives way to any manned
aircraft; and
(5) when flown within 5 miles of an airport, the operator of the aircraft provides the airport
operator and the airport air traffic control tower (when an air traffic facility is located at the
airport) with prior notice of the operation (model aircraft operators flying from a permanent
location within 5 miles of an airport should establish a mutually-agreed upon operating
procedure with the airport operator and the airport air traffic control tower (when an air traffic
facility is located at the airport)).
(b)

Statutory Construction.–Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of

the Administrator to pursue enforcement action against persons operating model aircraft who
endanger the safety of the national airspace system.
(c)

Model Aircraft Defined.–In this section, the term “model aircraft” means an unmanned

aircraft that is–
(1) capable of sustained flight in the atmosphere;
(2) flown within visual line of sight of the person operating the aircraft; and

(3) flown for hobby or recreational purposes.

Here’s a new radio for the Spektrum fans, especially Matt:

http://www.spektrumrc.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdId=SPM18000&view=test