The other shoe drops

[Dan McEntee]

Maybe now would be a good time to include "normal" hobby based R/C as non-uas activity. Simply put, in the aircraft does not carry any sort of FPV or GPS capability, and is under a certain size and weight, it's a model airplane and not an unmanned aerial system. This puts the emphasis on the video and positioning technology and simplifies the whole scope of the matter. Take cameras and GPS out of the picture and what do you got? What we have been doing for the last 75 plus years!
  Type at you later,
   Dan McEntee

[Dave_Trible]

Dan that makes sense and is close to the AMA view.  The opponents say you can weaponize or illegally surveil with a model airplane as easily as a drone.......that is true but Chads point to them is that no law would ever stop that for anyone who wished to do so-why penalize everyone who wouldn't?  I still contend they could care less as long as it doesn't down their delivery drone.

Dave

[Fredvon4]

that is true but Chads point to them is that no law would ever stop that for anyone who wished to do so-why penalize everyone who wouldn't?


exactly our point about every new anti gun law.....criminals do not care about any law...ANY LAW

[phil c]

Dan that makes sense and is close to the AMA view.  The opponents say you can weaponize or illegally surveil with a model airplane as easily as a drone.......that is true but Chads point to them is that no law would ever stop that for anyone who wished to do so-why penalize everyone who wouldn't?  I still contend they could care less as long as it doesn't down their delivery drone.

Dave

Unfortunately, this is similar to "do something about guns" uproar.  For years and years honest, good people have bought guns, used them safely, and never killed anyone.  One crazy nutcase buys a gun or guns legally, goes out and kills people, often by the dozens.  Immediately the cry goes up  "we've got to do something about gun violence, ban AR 15 "style" weapons, make stronger background checks,  etc.  etc. etc. dozens of useless ploys.".
The whole effort is primarily about control and minorly about safety for manned aircraft.  UAS, including those that fly on wings, could be made into fairly lethal weapons.

The way to protect the hobby is by Dan McEntee's point.  Sport RC aircraft, including drones up to some limited size, are a harmless hobby very useful in STEM education.  So the approach is to make regulating a harmless teaching tool and hobby  seem a silly, useless FAA ruling.  Some ideas- flying destruction combat inside a big gym or a small arena with small planes.  Build a big paper airplane and paint it in red/white/and blue.  Video of grade school and highschoolers flying hand launch gliders they built, pictures of younger people flying c/l combat.  Maybe label aeromodelling as exciting way to fly without risking your life, for any age.
I suspect if we can make the FAA look silly about aeromodelling they will follow Dan's plan, especially no GPS controls. FPV is probably more fun and less dangerous than GPS.

[Jim Kraft]

i just saw a you tube video from Canada. The shoe drops there June 1st. 300 pages of licensing laws and rules. Pretty much the same as here. Drone sales are about to be cut in half. No one said anything about model planes R/C or otherwise, but I imagine it is in there some where.

[WR Crane aka MrClean]

Didn't you know?  Model Planes, Quad Copters, probably those fun little led rubberband helicopter things (Rocketcopters) are all UAVs.  All the same thing.

Okay, in the USA FF and CL aren't the same thing, supposedly, so you can shoot your rocket copters at night and be ok, for now.

[WR Crane aka MrClean]

Duplicate

[CircuitFlyer]

Jim,

That was June of last year.  Transport Canada's drone regulations are far less stringent than the hobby killing FAA NPRM.  The good news is MAAC (our equivalent to the AMA) has a letter of exemption from all the regs.  No registration, no tests, no LAANC, no 400' ceiling, no remote ID, no FRIA's.  There are some letters of agreement for club fields close to airports and RC guys have to put their name, MAAC number and MAAC's office phone number somewhere on the model.  You'all are welcome to come on up and fly anytime.  Just remember to register under Part 47 and get your N number first.

The sad thing is, these FAA regs may drastically change the products available on everyone's hobby shop shelves.

Paul

[Jim Kraft]

Glad to hear that Paul. I did not notice the date of the video I guess.

[Ken Culbertson]

Submitted my comment today:

  I am a concerned flier of control line model airplanes. They are simple tethered models that cannot be more than 70' from the pilot at any time. As the rules are currently written these harmless models would be included. This would destroy the hobby shared by generations of kids that grew up to be our aviation industry.

I know from friends within the FAA that this is not the intention of the rule makers but once the ruled are written, the intentions no longer matter. It is in the hands of local enforcement.

We respectfully ask you to exempt control line and free flight models from these regulations as other countries have done, or at a minimum add the word "wireless" to your definition of a control center or a UAS. One word saves an entire hobby and the jobs of the suppliers to that hobby.

Hope I am not howling at the moon.

Ken

[Dave_Trible]

Well done.

Dave

[FLOYD CARTER]

Yesterday, I visited a Big Box store.  They had several drones on display.  All had cameras for RPV (remote view).. exactly what the government is trying to stop.

The drone display had, in large letters, "FAA Approval May Be Required".  Now, how many buyers will actually pay attention to this notice?  Will they contact the FAA to get approval?  I don't think so.  Unless licencing PRIOR to purchase becomes law, and buyers having to show their license in order to buy, nothing will change.

[L0U CRANE]

I wonder, would the word "tether" help us?

As, for instance, "non-commercial, recreational flying devices, which do not use the electromagnetic spectrum for control of flight restricted to the length of a tether, are not sUAS."

This would not help FF. A similar definition, pointing out that such objects are inherently limited to line of sight, and so as to afford certain recovery after grounding, e.g., free flight model aircraft or kites, are not sUAS.

FAA's "hard deck" at 400' applies to both, tethered and untethered, objects.

(If lines break, our CL models will roll away from the point of tether, and dive to the ground within a short distance. Almost always...)

[Terrence Durrill]

Yesterday, I visited a Big Box store.  They had several drones on display.  All had cameras for RPV (remote view).. exactly what the government is trying to stop.

The drone display had, in large letters, "FAA Approval May Be Required".  Now, how many buyers will actually pay attention to this notice?  Will they contact the FAA to get approval?  I don't think so.  Unless licencing PRIOR to purchase becomes law, and buyers having to show their license in order to buy, nothing will change.

                     Hey Floyd................just become a Democrat, then you will be free to violate any law they make ......... or any other law for that matter.  ....        

[Andre Ming]

(If lines break, our CL models will roll away from the point of tether, and dive to the ground within a short distance. Almost always...)

Unless you're Howard Rush flying a Nemesis II at the 1972 Nats and someone cuts your lines with the elevator stuck in "UP".

The crowd ducked as the screaming ST powered Nemesis did consectutive loops over their heads, all the while gaining elevation and moving outward. It made it out there a good 1/4 mile or more and was a couple hundred feet (?) in the air by the time the bladder ran empty. It then made a glide in big circles toward the ground (unseen at that point).

It was retrieved, and only a small section of covering was pulled back between a couple ribs, as I recall. I also recall someone hollered at Howard for a pic of same, and Howard obliged, standing there posing with his wounded Nemesis II. SO, if the pic has survived, there's a pic of Howard and his wayward Nemesis II out there somewhere.

Andre

[Ken Culbertson]

Unless you're Howard Rush flying a Nemesis II at the 1972 Nats and someone cuts your lines with the elevator stuck in "UP".

The crowd ducked as the screaming ST powered Nemesis did consectutive loops over their heads, all the while gaining elevation and moving outward. It made it out there a good 1/4 mile or more and was a couple hundred feet (?) in the air by the time the bladder ran empty. It then made a glide in big circles toward the ground (unseen at that point).

It was retrieved, and only a small section of covering was pulled back between a couple ribs, as I recall. I also recall someone hollered at Howard for a pic of same, and Howard obliged, standing there posing with his wounded Nemesis II. SO, if the pic has survived, there's a pic of Howard and his wayward Nemesis II out there somewhere.

Andre

We are still waiting for one to come down that spiraled straight up into a cloud at the 1964 Southwesterns. Heard the engine quit but the plane never came down.  Texas thermals can be tough!  That is why we have safety lanyards.

Ken

[Dennis Moritz]

I don’t think this will be much of a problem when sorted out. It’s nearly a done deal anyway. RC stuff has been out of control for a while. Watching some guys try to fly quarter scale at the NATs is sobering. Commercial (toy) drones are used as effective instruments of war by asymmetrical troops. Seems inconsistent to me to throw temper tantrums about non white non Christians crossing the border while not considering how to oversee toys that can be out of the box terrorist instruments of destruction. We use cell phones. Almost every one of us. Allstate and the government already track our every move. Yeah. Guess we’ll throw them away as soon as we have an operation to extricate phone from our fist.


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[Jim Kraft]

Dennis, how many dead bodies do we have so far? Should we punish everyone who flies toy airplanes because they can be used for mass destruction? Makes no sense. And those people crossing the border are mostly drug runners thieves and sex offenders. That is a proven fact. Lots of murders by illegals.

Back to our toy airplanes. Where are the dead bodies? Plenty by illegals, not by toy model airplanes. Or even drones for that matter. Any thing is possible. But so far has not happened. It seems to me it is one of those "the sky is falling" things that some one heard that some one might have done with something some one said might have happened.

Glad I have a right to my own opinion, but we have been doing this for years with out problems. Now all at once it is a crime to fly model airplanes. We are now worse than biker gangs in the eyes of the public. Thanks to the liberal news media that turns every problem in the world the fault of model airplanes, guns, SUV's or microwave ovens.  But has no problem letting killers into the country, that will never work and we are supposed to pay for their welfare!!! Again, my own opinion. Open borders are killing people, not model airplanes.

[wwwarbird]

 The EAA is working for our side and making some excellent points, this posted on their site today...


 https://www.eaa.org/eaa/news-and-publications/eaa-news-and-aviation-news/news/01-16-2020-Proposed-Remote-ID-Rule-Contains-Concerning-Requirements

[Ken Culbertson]

The EAA is working for our side and making some excellent points, this posted on their site today...


 https://www.eaa.org/eaa/news-and-publications/eaa-news-and-aviation-news/news/01-16-2020-Proposed-Remote-ID-Rule-Contains-Concerning-Requirements

Slowly they turned, step by step, inch by inch .........

Maybe the fat lady hasn't signed the contract yet.

Thanks - EEA!

Ken

[Norm Faith Jr.]

Dennis, how many dead bodies do we have so far? Should we punish everyone who flies toy airplanes because they can be used for mass destruction? Makes no sense. And those people crossing the border are mostly drug runners thieves and sex offenders. That is a proven fact. Lots of murders by illegals.

Back to our toy airplanes. Where are the dead bodies? Plenty by illegals, not by toy model airplanes. Or even drones for that matter. Any thing is possible. But so far has not happened. It seems to me it is one of those "the sky is falling" things that some one heard that some one might have done with something some one said might have happened.

Glad I have a right to my own opinion, but we have been doing this for years with out problems. Now all at once it is a crime to fly model airplanes. We are now worse than biker gangs in the eyes of the public. Thanks to the liberal news media that turns every problem in the world the fault of model airplanes, guns, SUV's or microwave ovens.  But has no problem letting killers into the country, that will never work and we are supposed to pay for their welfare!!! Again, my own opinion. Open borders are killing people, not model airplanes.

Jim, I've been following this and commenting on this subject for some time to those who would listen. These revelations about controlling our hobby are not as new as they seem to be. The light was shined on us (with a big beam) after 911. If you remember...A RC model airplane was flown across the Atlantic Ocean (Maynard Hill) non-stop while 911 was still very fresh in the minds of all, including the Government. That, IMHO was the beginning of this mess we are facing. Something that was supposed to of been a spectacular feat, has inadvertently lead us to where we are today. https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/model-plane-flies-atlantic
Norm

[Dennis Moritz]

Once our Home grown white terrorists adopt to drones they might extend their methodology. Bump stocks what not, big mag semi-autos doing it now. Seems to me a bunch of white men notching big numbers of random innocents. Or innocent folks worshipping in non Christian sanctuaries or predominantly brown churches. Guess there are a lot of immigrant brown people taking time off from drug dealing and mayhem in the USA. Ones I see are busting their asses doing general labor. This in a big cross section of US neighborhoods, spanning wealth to marginally middle class. Besides. Your cell phone features The Chip. Allstate and the government already know where you are and where you have been.


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[Dennis Moritz]

Concern about commercial (toy) drones probably stems from their effective use by asymmetrical forces against American troops.


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[Howard Rush]

Allstate and the government already know where you are and where you have been.

My worry is Allstate knowing how fast I drove from there to here.

[Dennis Moritz]

I know. They also want to know if you drive at night. Can’t drive over 80. Even when driving one of my cars not insured by them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[wwwarbird]

My worry is Allstate knowing how fast I drove from there to here.

 Yes, now that is scary stuff.

[Jim Kraft]

Norm, I do believe there is a lot of truth in that. We have kind of shot ourselves in the foot by technological advances. Drones were the final straw that broke the camels back. Not what has happened, but has potential to happen so we destroy a good hobby. Public opinion and the news media have made us the bad guys, and the FAA is going to be held responsible if something does happen.

I can see both sides. Guess it just seems like a terrible waste to lose our hobby all at once. But, I guess it was inevitable.

I have a lot of RC friends who have been in the hobby for years and are trying to sell their stuff to get out before it is to late. They say to many are getting out and their RC planes and support equipment is going for dirt cheap if you can sell it at all. There is a domino effect.

Most I have talked to say no way are they going to jump through hoops to fly. Sad but true. When RC is gone, so will AMA and everything that they have brought to the hobby. We can not survive without them. Many control line flyers belong to RC clubs for a place to fly. The RC club I belonged to for years put in a control line circle with concrete pads and all. But, when they go away there is no other place within 80 miles to fly. Flying sites are going away as fast as the hobby.

I use to have two flying sites within 4 miles from me. Both are gone. No model flying allowed of any kind.

I still have hope that things are not as bad as they seem right now, but I also see the end of an era and a great hobby past time. I have been flying almost continually in one form or another since 1952. I am 79 and so does not effect me to much as I have not flown for about four years because of health problems anyway. But it still saddens me to see the hobby die that has survived a lot of things over the years until now. Maybe just me, but when the government starts calling the shots there is no end to what they might propose. The hobby is already on shaking ground because of other factors. Losing flying sites. Hobby shops closing. Mail order places on life support.

I need to go play the blues on my guitar.

We could all move to Tucson, LOL. if control line is exempt. Or Tulsa where they have a dedicated control line field. Muncie will be turned back to farm land. Or maybe a dragstrip.

[Ken Culbertson]

I still have hope that things are not as bad as they seem right now,

My father had a saying that has gotten me through a lot in my life.  It was simple but powerful.  "This too will pass".  We will adapt and there is enough stuff out there to last my lifetime and some.  I saw this coming when we became fascinated with these huge RC Scale planes and FPV.  I am honestly amazed that there haven't been any terrorist attacks using them.  RC has been out of control for a long time but it does pay the bills.  What saddens me is how ignorant our bureaucrats are when it comes to regulating technology.  Making something illegal simply guarantees that only the criminals will have it.  We all know that it is not safety that is the real issue, it is clearing the airspace for commercial drones.  Instead of compromise that would allow us to co-exist with them the AMA has focused on saving the part that simply could not be saved and in doing so has killed us all.  But, "this too will pass".

I see control line surviving and maybe even flourishing but I seriously doubt that the AMA, having committed suicide, will.  Our specialty organizations have been running the NATS for years, we will survive.

Ken

[john e. holliday]

The general public needs to be educated.  Before RC became the modelers choice and the minority got control over noise we could fly at school grounds, ball parks and parks.  Because of noise and over flight RC fields had to move out into the country and control line had to follow suit.   So the public did not see model flying on a regular basis.  I've numerous people tell me they thought control line was dead because they never see us flying in town any more.  I explain to them about the minority complaining about noise and parents complaining about models getting attention of their young ball players who are supposed to be playing a game and not watching the model plane.  Even some of our local police didn't know control line existed. 

Maybe when we educate the powers to be that model planes are safe when the user follows safety practices.  I still fly at the Junior high school grounds when I have help, but try to make it to the field Dave has developed for us when I have transportation.

[TigreST]

Silly question: So..they (may) legislate the crap out of the hobby.  What means of enforcement will be used? The honor system?  Who has a unregistered weapon at home? (don't answer that).

[Fredvon4]

Hey Tiger ....and all others

Universal background checks can NOT work without REGISTRATION....if you do not understand this nuance...stop voting immediately you are to ill informed to cast a rational vote.....register guns or airplane same endgame ...the state's ability to confiscate property or fine, or imprison owners...this is not a conspiracy view...they do it every effing day

I have to assume you have no clue what is about to happen in next 48 hours in the state (communist wealth) of Virginia ------The duly elected majority liberal Democrats turned the state BLUE with Soros and Bloomberg bucks....

Now we have the state vs all citizens who believe, rightly so, that 2 Amendment and "shall not be infringed" is a fundamental RIGHT the state constitution mimics...yet elected lib forces intend to infringe beyond reason.....trust me brother you want to follow this closely Monday 0800 to noon....there will be some antifa and false flag problems the governor has already defined a state of emergency and has state National Guard on call...I predict this will be initial foray to USA civil war....so hope I am wrong......if you think for one second 3 and 4 Nov 2020 is gonna be another change of command peacefully you are simply not paying attention IMO

I also assume you have zero clue how many times the IRS, EPA, HUD, BATF, FCC, or FAA has fined and confiscated property, fined,  and imprisoned citizens.....for relatively benign infractions YOU-- as a juror ---would find ludacris....

I defy anyone reading my so called sky is falling pontifications to explain the Senator Lautenberg Act to the class
I defy anyone reading this to explain why non elected very high paid civil servants have MORE power than the  Congress we elect....

And as long as I am on this rant ....if you can not understand that a lot of what we do, as common serfs...ah er... I mean citizens ---is fully constitutional...

the point then is what we discuss here IS EFFING POLITICAL so you wussies that don't want to hear my diatribes, turn the Effing page cuz I dont care about your namby pamby "I wanted to learn about starting my new Fox 35".....change the channel son....

[Jim Kraft]

I happen to agree with you Fred. I worked for an oil company for 26 years, and every year they fined us a million dollars without blinking an eye. They would change their rules two days before they showed up and tell us we were out of compliance. They admitted that they fund their office by fines.

Our government is so full of corruption that it is hard to tell what is going on. And yes, I am anxious to see what happens over their new gun law. Might as well throw the constitution out the window. It means nothing to law makers. If it happens there, it will set things in motion for other states to follow suit. Since they have not been able to get the federal government to do it, they will try at the state level.

Anybody for tether cars? Just do not let it bounce. lol

[Fredvon4]

what this has to do with UAS? 

Well Virginia, for starters: the same unelected rule makers in the DOT/FAA as in the corrupt BATF , DEA, NSA, IRS, HUD, FCC, EPA.....in each agency are rules that make absolutely no sense to rational educated citizens....yet they exist and are codified in the federal register ad they are enforced....

Right now today, there are owners of real airplane that lost their leased property...like a Cessna 310Q...Seized by DEA for drug running.....The owners formed an Aircraft leasing company and they bought or leased a fleet of planes...   the company did not fly drugs-- a customer did...the company suffered the loss of very expensive property but no fines....DEA abusing power...Their CA congress rep told the company tough crap....

So we mount a defense and appeal up to Supreme Court....... anyone want to tell the class how long that takes and how many billable hours for our attorney....hummmmm

AMA  can not afford it and so far I do not see a rich Bloomberg or Soros that wants to preserve model aviation....

[Guy B Jr]

Instead of acting like "Chicken Little". let's be proactive. We should all contact our Senators and Representatives and ask if any of them flew CL at any time in their past. Then contact the ones who answered positively and ask them for help. Tell them that we would like to send a demonstration group to put on a show for them and any other interested Congressional members. They have the juice to provide a ball field to perform on. They could invite (order) high ranking FAA officials to gain understanding of what CL really is.

[Steve Helmick]

Silly question: So..they (may) legislate the crap out of the hobby.  What means of enforcement will be used? The honor system? Who has a unregistered weapon at home? (don't answer that).

ME! Don't have to register any weapons here. It is illegal to take one into a post office, court house, skool, or any government building or property. It doesn't stop me from stopping at the drive-through mail box with a loaded .357 under the seat, tho that's technically illegal. I'm bad and nationwide.

Yes, I have a concealed weapons permit (CWP). The interesting thing about it is that they have 30 days to deliver or deny, and that is when the background check was supposed to be done. But (in my case) they didn't do it! When I went to pick it up, the volunteer clerk said that the FIB had not done the background check yet and I couldn't have it. The real clerk literally elbowed her out of the way and said "30 days is all we get. Here you go!".  I don't know about you, but I take that to mean that the FIB is not doing their damned job. Are they overwhelmed? Are they just too busy making up BS about Trump/Ukraine connection? Or are they just sitting on their asses most of the time, like too many government employees?  Steve

PS: My flip-phone doesn't have GPS and I would rather do without a cell phone than own one that did have GPS. My phone fits in any pocket I have, and will NOT butt dial. 

[wwwarbird]

I don't know about you, but I take that to mean that the FIB is not doing their damned job. Are they overwhelmed? Are they just too busy making up BS about Trump/Ukraine connection? Or are they just sitting on their asses most of the time, like too many government employees?  Steve

PS: My flip-phone doesn't have GPS and I would rather do without a cell phone than own one that did have GPS. My phone fits in any pocket I have, and will NOT butt dial.

 Isn't the butt dial feature required to reach government employees?

[TigreST]

I think that once again my attempt at sarcasm went un detected in my post above.  I do not wish to make light of the pending situation regarding the legislation that will be coming but my fertile mind does conjure up visions that make me ponder.

 To wit: Everybody quits the AMA. Nobody registers for anything. Stunt is flown, at night at flying sites carved out of forest miles off the beating path.  You need to be on the "inner circle" (pun fully intended) to get a map to the site.  Electric power is the only accepted means of spinning a propeller.  The "radicals" use nitro power planes to incite riot and taunt the government. 

 Just amazing to me and many of you I expect, that something that was once seen as a wholesome pursuit and as much apart of Americana as Chevys and Apple Pie,..is now under the microscope of the government watch dogs. 

Just remember what the G-man said "I'm with the government.  I'm here to help."

One other comment in closing. This happened this morning, true story.  I cross the boarder into the US of A to pick up a package of needle valves and Fox .35 gasket/bolt kits sent to me by Randy Smith (thanks again Randy). 
As I cross into the U.S. the boarder guard, as they always do, asks "Where you going?" 
Me: "Picking up a package at my drop box service and stopping for breakfast."
Him: "What's in the package?"
Me "Model airplane motor parts." 
Him: "Model airplane? Like what type of model airplane?" 
Me: "Balsawood construction. Gas engine on the front,..Flies on metal control lines."
Him "Control lines? Oh like a kite!" 
Me: Nope not a kite, control line flying, dates from the 1930's, they fly in a circle on metal cables and a handle. It's not R/C at all." 
Him: "So it's not a kite then?" 
Me: "No not a kite." 
Scans my i.d. another min. of so...then hands it back.  Still no recognition of what c/l is.  Granted. I don't think he was 25 years old.
Returning to Canada: Canadian Boarder Patrol/Customs:  "Bring any thing back into the country?"
Me: "Yup, model airplane motor parts."
Him: "Motor parts? Model airplane?...like what kinda parts, like R/C stuff?"
Me: "Well no.  It's control line, they fly in a circle on cables, you hold a handle to control the model. It's kinda old school airplane modeling."
Him: "Cool...have a nice day."
Me: "You to!"
This guys was maybe between 25 and 30 years old.

[Scott Richlen]

Another avenue: send a message to the President reminding him that one of his campaign promises was reducing needless regulation and that there are parts of his Administration who are doing their best to go against his campaign promise: the FAA.  Cite the proposed regulation and how its lack of specificity is harming our hobby.

That's what I did.  And they are even "carefully reviewing my message"....


January 22, 2020

    
Thank you for contacting the White House. We are carefully reviewing your message.

 

President Donald J. Trump believes the strength of our country lies in the spirit of the American people and their willingness to stay informed and get involved. President Trump appreciates your taking the time to reach out.

Sincerely,

The Office of Presidential Correspondence

[wwwarbird]

 From today, a not so great update...

 https://www.eaa.org/eaa/news-and-publications/eaa-news-and-aviation-news/news/01-30-2020-FAA-Denies-Comment-Period-Extension-for-Remote-ID-Rule
 

[Fredvon4]

here is some lite reading

don't you want to know who you vote for has your back

find and read section 336

then find and read how DOT/FAA told every senator who wrote and voted in that section....go ef yourselves we have a mandate

ever single congress weasel rolled over and kicked an entire hobby under the bus....

here let me get you started

https://www.google.com/search?q=Section+336+of+the+FAA+Modernization+and+Reform+Act+of+2012%2C+more+commonly+known+as+the+Special+Rule+for+Model+Aircraft.&oq=Section+336+of+the+FAA+Modernization+and+Reform+Act+of+2012%2C+more+commonly+known+as+the+Special+Rule+for+Model+Aircraft.&aqs=chrome..69i57&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

[Joe Ed Pederson]

After receiving a request from the AMA District VI president, I finally got around to sending the FAA my comments on the proposed rule.

Here's what I wrote:

5February 2019

The FAA should simply withdraw this proposal.   This proposal will not enhance safety in the slightest measure. 

This proposal falls into the category of useless laws that cause great harm to law abiding citizens and will not/cannot in the least stop criminals.  Criminals will not register the drone/model airplane they intend to use to drop poisons into water supplies, explosives on whatever they intend to harm, nor the drone they intend to fly into an airliner's engine intake to bring it down.  No law abiding citizen who registers his models or complies with any of your grossly oppressive proposed regulations would ever use their drone/model airplane to intentionally do harm.

Where are the statistics to show that model airplanes/drones are causing an epidemic of aircraft fatalities or fatalities on the ground?  How many drones have been used to bring down civil or commercial aircraft?  How many water systems have been poisoned by drone/model aircraft?  I have not read any accounts in the news that such events have occurred.

The FAA is inventing a problem that does not exist, and even if a problem existed criminals would not comply with any of these grossly oppressive proposed regulations.

Has anyone done a cost/benefit analysis?

This proposed regulation is just another example of government agencies trying to accumulate dictatorial powers over law abiding citizens to justify their existence and expand their take of the federal budget.  It should be withdrawn in its entirety!

The FAA does have a role in aviation safety.  I hold a private pilot's certificate (though I no longer fly),   So, I am familiar with the FAR's pertaining to private pilots.  The FAR's for private and commercial pilots make sense and are reasonable.  The FAR's for private and commercial pilots are not oppressive.

 But the Proposed Rule: Remote Identification of unmanned Aircraft Systems doesn't make sense is not reasonable, especially the limit of 400 foot altitude and being able to fly only from designated areas.  The proposed rule won't prevent criminal acts with a drone or model airplanes.  They are oppressive and they essentially accuse every drone/model airplane pilot of desiring to be a criminal.

Sincerely,
Joe Ed Pederson
Academy of Model Aeronautic (AMA) Member
US Army (Retired)

[Andrew Hathaway]

 

[Gary Dowler]

After receiving a request from the AMA District VI president, I finally got around to sending the FAA my comments on the proposed rule.

Here's what I wrote:

5February 2019

The FAA should simply withdraw this proposal.   This proposal will not enhance safety in the slightest measure. 

This proposal falls into the category of useless laws that cause great harm to law abiding citizens and will not/cannot in the least stop criminals.  Criminals will not register the drone/model airplane they intend to use to drop poisons into water supplies, explosives on whatever they intend to harm, nor the drone they intend to fly into an airliner's engine intake to bring it down.  No law abiding citizen who registers his models or complies with any of your grossly oppressive proposed regulations would ever use their drone/model airplane to intentionally do harm.

Where are the statistics to show that model airplanes/drones are causing an epidemic of aircraft fatalities or fatalities on the ground?  How many drones have been used to bring down civil or commercial aircraft?  How many water systems have been poisoned by drone/model aircraft?  I have not read any accounts in the news that such events have occurred.

The FAA is inventing a problem that does not exist, and even if a problem existed criminals would not comply with any of these grossly oppressive proposed regulations.

Has anyone done a cost/benefit analysis?

This proposed regulation is just another example of government agencies trying to accumulate dictatorial powers over law abiding citizens to justify their existence and expand their take of the federal budget.  It should be withdrawn in its entirety!

The FAA does have a role in aviation safety.  I hold a private pilot's certificate (though I no longer fly),   So, I am familiar with the FAR's pertaining to private pilots.  The FAR's for private and commercial pilots make sense and are reasonable.  The FAR's for private and commercial pilots are not oppressive.

 But the Proposed Rule: Remote Identification of unmanned Aircraft Systems doesn't make sense is not reasonable, especially the limit of 400 foot altitude and being able to fly only from designated areas.  The proposed rule won't prevent criminal acts with a drone or model airplanes.  They are oppressive and they essentially accuse every drone/model airplane pilot of desiring to be a criminal.

Sincerely,
Joe Ed Pederson
Academy of Model Aeronautic (AMA) Member
US Army (Retired)

Well stated, Joe!


Gary