Wooooohooooooooo! We Are Back To Flying In DC!!

[Flygirl]

AMA and FAA Reach an Agreement: DC SFRA Back Open to Model Aircraft Dear members, We are pleased to announce that AMA members in the Washington, D.C. metro area can resume model aircraft activities inside the D.C. Special Flights Rule Area (SFRA). After weeks of working closely with the FAA to find a resolution, the 14 AMA-charted clubs in the DC metro area can now return to safe operations starting on February 10. On December 25, the FAA more than doubled the airspace around the D.C. metro area that it considers a 'no fly zone.' This meant that, in addition to the longstanding UAS prohibition in the Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ) around Washington, D.C., model aviation enthusiasts could not fly in several Virginia and Maryland counties as well. For our members who have been flying safely in the area for decades, this was unacceptable and AMA was committed to a finding a solution. Thanks to the efforts of AMA’s Government Affairs team and your District IV Government Relations Committee, we successfully worked with the FAA to roll back these unnecessary flying restrictions in the SFRA. Today, the FAA updated the conditions for flying in the SFRA, issuing a permanent Notice to Airmen (NOTAM). It is important to note there is no change to the 15nm Flight Restricted Zone in D.C. The FRZ will continue to be a no-fly zone. The FAA acknowledges that our members abide by federal and local policies and for decades have followed AMA’s comprehensive set of safety guidelines. AMA members’ unparalleled safety record shows that this time-tested community-based approach to model aircraft activity works, and helps ensure that hobbyists fly safely and responsibly. We appreciate your support for AMA and look forward to our continued efforts to protect our hobby and all AMA members. Sincerely, AMA Government Affairs

[Konrad]

Well, I'd have lost that bet!

I'm happy for you guys & gals.

All the best,
Konrad

[Flygirl]

Me too Konrad! Thank you!!! Now all I need is some weather cooperation! ;)

[Alpha]

Great news, Flygirl! That made my day :)

[Grossman56]

Hey great news Lauren, I read that and immediately thought of you, congrats girl!!

Grossman56

[OV10]

Hey Lauren,
Am so happy that the bueauracrats came to their senses on something. NOW GO FLYGIRL :D as soon as the weather permits. Don't forget that the offer still stands to be my guest at our club when you come back to your hometown during the summer after you retire;)

[boomer108]

Congrats Lauren!

What's next the FAA admits they were wrong. Not!! Anyway you enjoy. Good flying!

Roy B.

[XF-15DCC]

Great news indeed. Has your son been briefed on how to approach fliers and check for registration with the FAA? I believe you mentioned he is local PD.

[doctormike]

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSS!!!!!!!! Doc

[Konrad]

Great news indeed. Has your son been briefed on how to approach fliers and check for registration with the FAA? I believe you mentioned he is local PD.

Are the local police/park rangers tasked with enforcement of this reg? I wasn't aware that there was a line item in the statutes to pay local authorities for the man power this would take. My understanding is that like most registrations there isn't an issue until there is an issue. Then you had better have all your papers in order or the administrator will throw the book at you (fines and the like). Now as this is a federal mandate I suspect the Coast Guard and the FBI are tasked with enforcement of these federally mandated registrations, and can ask you to produce your registration at any time. If I was a local official I'd try to tell the FEDs to police their own airspace!

[farmflyer]

That's Awsome Flygirl I'm suprised that they changed they're mind. Hopefully the weather gods smile on you soon.

[olwarbirds]

Very cool, glad to hear alot of the clubs I use to fly at in the DC area are now back. Just a little history, One of the first if not the first RC clubs is in MD, Gathersburg area and they do the warbirds/jets over DC meet. It would of been truly a shame for a big piece of RC flight history to of been shutdown. Flygirl I use to fly at the Fort Meade club when I was in Highschool. I am a bit familiar with that Baltimore area, worked in a hobbyshop in Glen Burnie many years ago...go fly and enjoy your freedom Lauren.... DJ

[Flygirl]

Thanks guys!! Great day for sure Alpha!

XF-15, they haven't had a word about it and I kind of suspect that they won't. They've got bigger fish to fry I think. LOL!

Olwarbirds, hey that's where I am... Glen Burnie! And the guys flying near Gaithersburg is my old club, DCRC. When I first started back in the 70's they had a field in Columbia MD that I flew at. It's now a shopping center. LOL! About the only hobby shop that is around still is in Laurel and is named Hobby Works. That's been there a pretty long time. There was one in Crofton but the owner died and it closed. :(

Charlie, count me in this summer! And if you have any water planes you can come fly at the lake. :)

[XF-15DCC]

Are the local police/park rangers tasked with enforcement of this reg? I wasn't aware that there was a line item in the statutes to pay local authorities for the man power this would take. My understanding is that like most registrations there isn't an issue until there is an issue. Then you had better have all your papers in order or the administrator will throw the book at you (fines and the like). Now as this is a federal mandate I suspect the Coast Guard and the FBI are tasked with enforcement of these federally mandated registrations, and can ask you to produce your registration at any time. If I was a local official I'd try to tell the FEDs to police their own airspace!

Konrad,
This was just a gee whiz questions to Lauren. When this registration thing just came out she mentioned her son was with local law enforcement. Just wondering if anything was mentioned in that local PD area about drones and registration.

Kevin

[Konrad]

And in talks with my local enforcement guys, they have said they will NOT get themselves involved with this federal issue. Safety, and concerns for the public well being yes, but chasing little pieces of federal paper no!

The fines do not go towards their income stream (funding).

All the best,
Konrad

[MikeT]

http://www.faa.gov/news/updates/?newsId=84787

Great news but what's the deal with the "new restrictions" the AMA did not even mention these in their release?


"Under the new procedures, hobbyists and recreational unmanned aircraft operators can fly aircraft that weigh less than 55 lbs. (including any attachments such as a camera) in the area between 15 and 30 miles of Washington, D.C. if the aircraft are registered and marked, and they follow specific operating conditions. The operating conditions require them to fly 400 feet or lower above the ground, stay in the operator's line of sight, only fly in clear conditions, and avoid other aircraft."

Mike

[doctormike]

We are required to call the Santa Fe tower before we fly and when we are finished because our club field is withen 5 miles of the airport. We tried this and were told "Don't bother us". Well, we have to bother them because it's an FAA regulation. Doc

[Flygirl]

http://www.faa.gov/news/updates/?newsId=84787

Great news but what's the deal with the "new restrictions" the AMA did not even mention these in their release?


"Under the new procedures, hobbyists and recreational unmanned aircraft operators can fly aircraft that weigh less than 55 lbs. (including any attachments such as a camera) in the area between 15 and 30 miles of Washington, D.C. if the aircraft are registered and marked, and they follow specific operating conditions. The operating conditions require them to fly 400 feet or lower above the ground, stay in the operator's line of sight, only fly in clear conditions, and avoid other aircraft."

Mike

Hi Mike! Those are pretty much the same restrictions that you say you will abide by when you register with the FAA I think. I don't remember the "clear conditions" one from when I signed up but I'm guessing they mean fog? Seems kind of redundant to mention that when they already have "operators line of sight" stipulated.

[Flygirl]

We are required to call the Santa Fe tower before we fly and when we are finished because our club field is withen 5 miles of the airport. We tried this and were told "Don't bother us". Well, we have to bother them because it's an FAA regulation. Doc

Ha! I wondered about that Doc... One of the athletic fields we occasionally fly at for spur of the moment is within 5 miles of of Baltimores airport. I have the towers number but since we had the no fly zone and bad weather I haven't tried it. They actually said not to bother them???

[MikeT]

Hi Mike! Those are pretty much the same restrictions that you say you will abide by when you register with the FAA I think. I don't remember the "clear conditions" one from when I signed up but I'm guessing they mean fog? Seems kind of redundant to mention that when they already have "operators line of sight" stipulated.

True but I thought the AMA had posted that the 400 ft rule was taken care of. IMO that rule kills IMAC, Jets, Sailplanes and pretty much any larger air frame. Also that information is really important and should have been addressed in the AMA Email.

Glad your back in the air though. This whole thing had me pretty concerned for you all.

Mike