It was an impressive event
organized by a great SIG.

My August column raised a furor within the Soaring and FF communities. It is obvious that some do not understand the context in which I made the 700-foot and 1,000-foot altitude references.

Let me try this again. The only document the FAA has which addresses model airplanes is the Advisory Circular (AC), which currently says we should remain below 400 feet. It does not say 400 feet within three miles of an airport as does the AMA Safety Code.

That AC is a candidate for upgrade, and it was in that context that I suggested 700 or preferably 1,000 feet. The context was that 700-1,000 feet was much more realistic than 400 feet for most general flying.

We all know that Sailplanes and FF models fly higher. They commonly fly in excess of the 400-foot altitude suggested in the current AC. They occasionally—perhaps often—fly higher than 700 or 1,000 feet, but fewer than the number of times they exceed 400 feet. If the FAA were to propose to limit our altitude through regulation, AMA would be in the position of arguing for methods by which we could fly higher with those types of models.

Model rockets already have methods to gain access to high altitudes, and AMA would argue strongly that we would need an accommodation for Sailplanes and FF models. You can be assured that AMA will not give up any access to the airspace without a fight, but it's obvious that the FAA is under some pressure to accommodate new users of airspace—primarily in the area of commercial unmanned aircraft.

The result of this pressure is the scrutiny of our use. This has been compounded because many operators of what the FAA considers "commercial unmanned aircraft" have been attempting to operate under the guise of model airplanes, which brings our operations under increased examination.

Another rumor involving the FAA concerns using airports for model airplane flying. The rumor that all model-flying at airports has been banned is not true.

We do have a situation where the FAA policy concerning total closure of a federally funded airport for "non-aeronautical activity" has been interpreted to include model airplane activity. This will affect a few significant events, but we are negotiating to get the interpretation of the regulation changed to a more favorable one.

In the meantime, this only affects those situations where total closure of an airport is necessary. It would not affect those situations where any runways are left open during the modeling activity.

AMA's relationship with its SIGs is important, and one of the best examples happened August 11-14 with the International Radio Controlled Helicopter Association (IRCHA) Jamboree at the AMA flying site in Muncie, Indiana. Despite the overnight weather that tried to encourage a float fly concurrent with the helicopter flying, all of the attendees had a great time.

Our staff did a great job of coping with the rain and spreading straw over the muddy areas in the pits. Attendance at this event was great! I understand that there were 467 pilots registered. A huge number of people attended the Jamboree, and I would not be afraid to guess that this was the largest one-weekend event ever held at the Muncie site!

It was an impressive event organized by a great SIG. Congratulations to Ron Kummer, IRCHA president, the other IRCHA officers, and all of the volunteers.

The drag races were a blast to watch, but I thought the pilots should have been required to be dressed in drag! This was a laid-back, fun event with something for helicopter modelers from beginners to expert.

Til next month ... MA

Dave Brown, AMA president