Temporary Flight Restrictions Affect MA
By now most readers have at least heard the term "TFR" and perhaps even been affected by one. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is a type of Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by the FAA that defines an area with restricted air travel due to a hazardous condition, a special event, or a general warning for the entire airspace.
What TFRs were used for historically
In the past, TFRs were primarily used to restrict air traffic over extraordinary ground-based situations to protect the individuals involved and to facilitate the ingress and egress of aircraft working the situation. Typically TFRs are used to facilitate firefighting efforts, law-enforcement situations, and rescue operations during natural disasters.
At times they are used during large spectator events and open-air assemblies such as air shows and sporting events. They are also used during serious mishaps such as airplane crashes and, most recently, the Gulf oil spill.
Since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, TFRs have been increasingly used for security purposes to thwart potential terrorist activity. They are now being used to protect VIP travel around the country, high-profile international events such as the G-20 Summit and the Olympics, and NASA activities such as space-shuttle operations at the Kennedy Space Center.
How TFRs affect model aviation
Until recently, model aviation (MA) was not significantly affected when a TFR was issued. However, in the post-September 11 era, model airplanes have come under much closer scrutiny. The performance capabilities of current MA technology have heightened the perceived threat attributed to model aircraft.
The perceived threat has been accentuated by advancements in the unmanned aircraft (UAV/UAS) arena and the lethal capability of UAS operating in the Middle East. Unfortunately, from a regulatory standpoint, model aviation is now closely tied to commercial- and public-use UAS aircraft and, to an extent, viewed as presenting a similar security threat.
TFRs come in all shapes and sizes, and fortunately MA is only affected by those with the most stringent restrictions. TFRs affecting MA were first issued in 2004 as part of security measures for the Republican and Democratic National Conventions.
In January 2009, a TFR covered activities and events leading up to and including the presidential inauguration. A permanent MA restriction was thereafter enacted for the Washington Metropolitan Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ) surrounding the nation’s capital.
Since then, more than 100 TFRs have been issued restricting model airplane operations in locations across the country. TFRs are usually in effect for anywhere from a few hours to a few days; however, some have restricted MA activities for several weeks.
TFRs that have an impact on MA typically involve a 60-nautical-mile (69 statute mile) outer circle and a 20-nautical-mile inner circle around given coordinates. The outer circle establishes a 3,737-square-mile area in which model airplane operations are prohibited during the specified times of the TFR. The inner circle establishes an area in which heightened restrictions are imposed on manned aviation.
The prohibition of model airplane operations is specifically stated in the TFR in a paragraph restricting all sport aviation groups. The following operations are not authorized within such a TFR:
- Flight training
- Practice instrument approaches
- Aerobatic flight
- Glider operations
- Parachute operations
- Ultralight operations
- Hang gliding
- Balloon operations
- Agriculture/crop dusting
- Animal population control flight operations
- Banner towing operations
- Seaplane operations
- Sightseeing operations
- Maintenance test flights
- Model aircraft operations
- Model rocketry
- Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)
From a security standpoint, the concept is to create a "sterile" area in which all nonessential air traffic is grounded and in which only those aircraft under positive air traffic control are allowed to fly. Anything else that appears in this area is immediately considered suspect.
The FAA enacts and administers TFRs. However, establishment and execution of the restrictions are a joint effort involving numerous federal, state, and local agencies including the Secret Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of Justice, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, among others.
Although flight advisories are sometimes published in advance when TFRs are anticipated for upcoming events, TFR notices are typically distributed 24–48 hours before implementation. The short lead time is itself a security measure but presents the challenge of getting information out to those affected.
What AMA is doing
The AMA is committed to keeping its members informed and is doing everything possible to distribute TFR information in a timely manner. The Academy is included in the initial e-mail distribution used in publishing the TFRs.
When a new TFR notice arrives, it is immediately posted on Twitter, the AMA website, and the AMA news scroll and RSS feed. AMA membership records and club rosters are searched, and an e-mail distribution is sent to all members and clubs in the affected area.
Any changes or updates to the TFR are posted to the web and Twitter. Members can find the most up-to-date information by logging on to the AMA website or by following AMAGov at Twitter.com/amagov.
From a modeler’s point of view, the first reaction might be, "You’ve got to be kidding me!" and the inclination may be to dismiss it and ignore the TFR. But this is serious business.
Under federal regulation, the U.S. government may "pursue criminal charges" or "use deadly force against an aircraft if it is determined that the aircraft poses an imminent security threat." It would be unwise to test those waters.
That having been said, the AMA clearly believes that the security threat attributed to model airplanes is grossly overstated and that the security measures imposed are overreaching and excessive.
The AMA is currently working with the National Aeronautic Association and other sport-aviation groups to open a dialog with the FAA Special Operations Security Center to obtain relief for members and the modeling community in general. The first step will be to address AMA-sanctioned events, for which abrupt cancellation poses demonstrable impact and undue economic hardship.
The next step will be to address established flying sites affiliated with chartered clubs, and ultimately to exclude MA from TFRs altogether.
Unfortunately, this will be a long, drawn-out process, and it is unlikely that real relief will be seen in the immediate future.
For now, please be patient, continue to fly in a safe and responsible manner, and, most importantly, continue to enjoy this great hobby.
—Rich Hanson AMA Government and Regulatory Affairs
Full-Scale and Model Aviation: Closer Than Ever
The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and the AMA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on May 24, pledging to work together on programs and initiatives to expand participation in aviation.
The MOU, signed by EAA Chairman/President Tom Poberezny and AMA President Dave Mathewson, calls on the two organizations to collaborate on youth engagement efforts, pursue opportunities to team up at the local level by encouraging AMA clubs and EAA chapters to work together, and actively encourage their members to participate in each other's activities, including EAA AirVenture Oshkosh and the annual AMA Expo.
Tom Poberezny said: "We look forward to beginning this relationship with AMA. Model aviation is an important part of the flying community, and since many of our members are actively involved in modeling—or initially became interested in aviation through modeling—we see this new relationship as an opportunity to further engage people in aviation."
Dave Mathewson commented: "The Academy of Model Aeronautics is excited about the opportunities that entering into this partnership with the Experimental Aircraft Association presents. Both organizations have a strong history of supporting aviation enthusiasts and, working together, we will be able to further those efforts."
This partnership will give Academy members new opportunities, one of which is an invitation to attend AirVenture Oshkosh 2010 at a discounted EAA member/guest rate. This event is the aviation world's summertime destination and will take place July 26–August 1.
When you purchase your AMA special-member pass, you will save $7 (20%) off the $37 general public adult price. Follow these steps to get the discount:
- Go to www.airventure.org/tickets and follow purchase directions for general public/nonmember tickets.
- Use promo code "AVAMA" when prompted and click "VERIFY" to receive your member/guest rate.
- To receive the AMA discount, you must purchase tickets online by midnight on July 25, 2010.
You can find full information about AirVenture Oshkosh at www.airventure.org.
Earlier this year the EAA AirVenture Museum debuted "Little Wings ... Big Dreams: Sport Aviation in Miniature," a yearlong exhibit that highlights model aircraft builders' craftsmanship and ingenuity. It was created as a joint effort with assistance from EAA and AMA museum directors.
For the duration of this 2010 display, the museum will admit AMA members at no cost when they present their membership cards. In return, the National Model Aviation Museum in Muncie, Indiana, will be free to EAA members who show their membership cards throughout the remainder of the year.
There will also be a free reception at the AirVenture Museum on July 24 to highlight the interorganizational partnership and the model aviation exhibit. To register, go to: https://t2.clickprint.com/tix/SilverStream/Pages/pgIndex.html?siteID=2755
Attendance is limited to the first 300 people who sign up, so register early.
—AMA HQ
History Preserved: The Collection of the National Model Aviation Museum
This month we present items from the collection featuring Plymouth Motor Corporation's involvement in aeromodeling. This piece focuses on the company's community of clubs that introduced thousands of youngsters to model aviation. (See the April 2010 "History Preserved" piece for related material.)
In the mid- to late 1940s, some Plymouth dealerships sponsored or developed local modeling clubs and sent several members to the 1947 and 1948 Plymouth International Model Plane Contests, or Internats.
Seeing this trend at the contests, the corporation saw an opportunity to create a formalized club structure. It named this group the Plymouth Aero League (PAL).
The Plymouth Aero League
The first official PAL clubs were established in Detroit, Cincinnati, and Chicago. Procedures were devised for many club actions: how to conduct a contest, how to talk to the media, how to teach building and flying through developed tests and skill-building projects, and much more.
Each PAL club had a constitution, standardized to the point that only a few blanks (such as meeting location and town name) needed to be filled. The constitution stated that the purpose of each club was: "to uphold traditions of the Plymouth Aero League and to promote building and flying of model planes ... to develop skills, to increase knowledge and interest ... all in the traditions of American sportsmanship and character building, to the end it will create better citizens."
For approximately six months, new club potentials were separated from the rest of the members. Called "Squadrons," they improved their aeromodeling skills using six projects, from basic cutting and construction exercises to outdoor rubber-powered model building. Students became qualified PAL club members when they obtained the required skills.
When students graduated, they participated with the other full-fledged club members, receiving advanced training with gas-powered and control-line models. They participated in dealer-run contests; the flier who placed highest received a paid trip to compete at the Internats.
Students were given rankings based on age and training and received enameled pins and badges of various colors as recognition. Also available to clubs were certificates of achievement, membership cards, patches, squadron stripes, and service stars. Each club decided what it would distribute.
Plymouth intended to concentrate its aeromodeling interests on the PAL when it ended the Internats in 1953, but by late 1954 or early 1955 the company determined it would be best to transfer the PAL to the AMA for administration under the Plymouth name.
The company retained some supervision of decisions during the first year of management. It is unknown from archival information exactly what happened to the PAL or whether the transfer actually occurred.
From museum records and early letters dated 1956 and 1957, it appears that Plymouth largely dropped the program as staff changes were made and company focus shifted. Although the PAL club lasted less than a decade, it made an impression on a generation of aeromodeling-interested youth.
The Archives thanks those who wrote and called with offers of photographs and other materials from the Plymouth Internats. If you have mementos that can be showcased in this monthly feature and would like to donate, please contact the National Model Aviation Museum.
—Jackie Shalberg Museum Archivist
VR/CS Wins Famous Taurus in Auction for AMA
As with most organizations, the Vintage Radio Control Society (VR/CS) has an online discussion group. When it was announced that Ed Kazmirski's Taurus would be auctioned, several members thought that as an AMA Special Interest Group devoted to preserving RC history, they needed to acquire this special model and donate it to AMA’s National Model Aviation Museum.
VR/CS members soon chimed in with offers: "Put me in for $10," "Me too," or "Put me in for $20." We soon realized the historical aircraft would fetch a premium price when a new, unknown bidder entered the scene, putting the model far out of the average person’s reach.
We needed more than a casual effort; we needed to pool resources. A grassroots effort spontaneously took hold within the membership.
Eventually we organized 13 contributors, with our historian, Giuseppe (Beppe) Fascione, pledging $1,500 to help make ours the winning bid. With such an example to follow, other VR/CS members contributed $500, $100, or whatever they could afford. It was a great coming-together for a common cause.
As the auction deadline approached, the mystery man was still in the lead with a bid of $1,800. But our group had already raised funds and were prepared to pay essentially whatever it took. As time ran out, the bid jumped to more than $2,900 as the mystery bidder made a final offer, but we had it covered.
So who was the unknown bidder? An Ed Kazmirski fan from Japan. He later identified himself on the RC Universe thread and congratulated VR/CS on the win. He said he would have eventually donated the aircraft to the AMA museum, but the final outcome (keeping it in the U.S.) worked out best.
Ed’s most famous Taurus was displayed at a number of shows and VR/CS events before it formally joined one of his Orions in a special donation event at the AMA museum in Muncie, Indiana.
The Taurus is in beautiful condition. Drop by the museum to see it when you’re in the area and take a look at some aeromodeling history.
While you’re at the museum, you can obtain a copy of the original Taurus construction article that Ed Kazmirski wrote, published in the January 1963 Model Airplane News. AMA Archivist Jackie Shalberg will provide a copy for a modest fee.
—Duane Wilson District IV
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
