FAA Ruling on Control Line Aircraft

[Mark Weiss]

For quite a while, many of us have been concerned over the FAA's interpretation of control line aircraft as it relates to the UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) rules and requirements. The advent of drones brought with it new concerns and regulations for any flying vehicle in FAA airspace. I believe FAA airspace in terms of altitude, begins at ground level and is up to about 43,000 feet for commercial airplanes.

The issue has been how to classify control line airplanes. We obviously did not want to be classified as a UAS. Well, thanks to Tyler Dobbs, our AMA Senior Director of Government Affairs, we have gotten what we have been asking for....The ruling that CL aircraft DO NOT fall under the classification of a UAS!

So thank you AMA members who have been relentless in getting a favorable determination. And thank you to Tyler Dobbs (and maybe others) at AMA for stepping up to the plate for us.

Below is the email that Tyler recently sent to Dave Fitzgerald. Brett Buck has opened this topic below, in this same Open Discussion Section.

Mark Weiss, President, PAMPA

                                                              ........................................................

From: Tyler Dobbs <tylerd@modelaircraft.org>
Sent: Friday, September 2, 2022 11:22 AM
To: Dave Fitzgerald <davidlfitzgerald@sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Control Line/AMA

 

David,

 

Control line aircraft do not meet the congressional definition of Unmanned Aircraft or unmanned aircraft system. Control line aircraft do not navigate the airspace and, due to the tether, have the capacity of “direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft.”

 

‘‘(11) UNMANNED AIRCRAFT.—The term ‘unmanned aircraft’

means an aircraft that is operated without the possibility of

direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft.

‘‘(12) UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM.—The term ‘unmanned

aircraft system’ means an unmanned aircraft and associated

elements (including communication links and the components

that control the unmanned aircraft) that are required for the

operator to operate safely and efficiently in the national airspace system.

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-115publ254/pdf/PLAW-115publ254.pdf

 

I have provided an FAA email confirming AMA’s position on control line operations. For background, the email is in response to the question “does my control line model require FAA registration.” As per Public Law 11-254 Section 349/U.S.C. 44809, all Unmanned Aircraft (as defined above) require registration under 14 CFR Part 48. The email below confirms that registration is not required on control line models due to the fact the it does not meet the definition of “unmanned aircraft”. Because control line aircraft do not fall within the aforementioned definition, they also do not fall under the FAA’s regulatory authority or statutory requirements outlined in U.S.C. 44809.

 

I hope this information helps, please feel free to contact me for further clarifications or with any questions you may have.

 

Best regards,

 



 

Tyler Dobbs

Senior Director of Government Affairs

Academy of Model Aeronautics

(765) 287-1256 ext. 235

modelaircraft.org

[john e. holliday]

Thanks for the info.  It is about time some one woke up to the fact Control line is a tethered object that is anchored to an individual with the safety thong.

Now I have seen combat control line planes that became unmanned craft when lines were cut.  But with the current rules they do not get far under power as fuel shutoffs cut the flight short.   Even seen racing planes become unmanned air craft when lines were cut.

[Brett Buck]

Thanks for the info.  It is about time some one woke up to the fact Control line is a tethered object that is anchored to an individual with the safety thong.

Now I have seen combat control line planes that became unmanned craft when lines were cut.  But with the current rules they do not get far under power as fuel shutoffs cut the flight short.   Even seen racing planes become unmanned air craft when lines were cut.

   

     The important part of the determination is "Not a UAS" (unmanned aerial system), lacking a ground control station, those are specifically excluded by the code as written.

   Brett