DISTRICT I 2013/07

136 Model Aviation July 2013 www.ModelAviation.com ama news ama news ama news ama news ama news ama news ama news ama news ama news ama news ama news ama news ama news ama news
New England states, except for
Connecticut, have unmanned aircraft
systems (UAS) legislation that, if passed
as written, could dramatically impair
model aircraft flying.
District I has created an advocacy
website for AMA clubs, members, and
supporters—providing guidelines for
planning, analyzing, developing, and
implementing advocacy initiatives.
Advocacy website action tools include
legislator and judiciary committee contact
information, bill details and tracking, alert
status notification, talking points, and
email samples and online petitions. This
website also matches AMA constituents
with targeted legislators.
Advocacy will become an initiative
for issues facing clubs and members.
Discussion forums on the website will
allow district clubs, members, and
officers to collaborate on common
concerns and event activities. With your
help and support, we will overcome
the challenges facing the aeromodeling
community.
District I—Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
Andy Argenio
Vice President
[email protected]
3 Sheila Ln., Smithfield RI 02917
Tel.: (401) 231-6901; www.amadistrict-i.org
Associate Vice Presidents: Steve Brehm, Jamestown RI; [email protected]; Andrew Figlar, Shelton CT; [email protected]; James Gilliatt, Concord, MA; (978) 369-
9796; [email protected]; Robert Kilmon, Nashua NH; [email protected]; Ray LaBonte, Maine; [email protected]; Joan Liska, Middletown CT; (860) 347-0257; jliska9000@
sbcglobal.net; Rusty Scott, Lancaster NH; (603) 684-1070 ; [email protected]; Carl A Vogel, Plymouth MA; (508) 783-7055; [email protected]. Safety Coordinator: John Cartisser,
Medfield MA; (508) 359-4080; [email protected]; Contest Coordinator: David Surwell, 24 Norwich Rd.; Nashua NH 03062; (603) 888-2020; [email protected]; Frequency
Coordinator: Joel Chappell, Milford NH; (603) 673-6240; [email protected]. Webmaster: David Beach, Amherst NH; [email protected].
Screen print of the soon-to-be-launched
District I advocacy website.
Petitioned Maine Legislators
Maine LD236: Protect Model Aviation
R/C Hobby Flying from Drone Legislation
Dear Senator Valentino, Representative Priest, and Honorable members of the Judiciary
Committee,
We are members of 13 model aviation clubs in Maine, chartered by the Academy of
Model Aeronautics (AMA), a national association representing approximately 155,000
members. Our concern is that the definition of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as
written in LD-236 to regulate drones, would include Radio Control model aircraft.
These regulations will dramatically impair the recreational flying of model aircraft and
the thousands of spectators who come to Maine each year to attend model air shows,
including the businesses that rely on the revenue from these shows. Public agency
regulation of model airplanes is a waste of tax dollars because model aircraft flying is
already regulated by the AMA’s National Safety Code and FAA document 9157.
We support legislation of UAVs for individual privacy protection and public safety,
however, there are significant differences in the use and operation of model aircraft from
public and civil UAV categories. Unlike other UAV functionality, AMA’s Safety Code
doesn’t allow model aircraft to be flown beyond visual line of sight or directly over people
or structures, and includes privacy protection regulations that prevent the use of imaging
technology or sensors for surveillance and the sale or retention of aerial images of people
or property.
Onboard cameras may be used for aerial photography to capture scenic views of flying
sites and event activities as well as First Person View (FPV) flying, or for site boundary
determination and finding lost aircraft in permitted locations.
The AMA, in a collaborative effort with the FAA since 2008, has updated its safety
standards to meet or exceed FAA requirements for the safe integration of UAVs into
the National Airspace System. As a result of these efforts, and more than 75 years of an
impeccable safety record, model aviation regulations for a recognized, community-based
organization were exempted from FAA regulations. This exemption was signed into law
by the President on February 14, 2012, as Public Law 112-95 Section 336 (c). UAVs
operating outside of this exemption will be subject to federal and state laws and FAA
regulations.
Petitioning as constituents of Maine’s AMA members, we urge legislators to amend
LD236 to include an exclusion as sponsored by Congressman Edward Markey (D-Mass)
and co-sponsored by Representative Joe Barton (R-TX) in bill HR-1262 titled “The
Drone Aircraft Privacy & Transportation Act of 2013,” Section 5:
“MODEL AIRCRAFT PROVISION—Nothing in this act/bill may be construed to apply
to model aircraft as defined in section 336(c) of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of
2012.”
Horizon Model Aircraft Show Sanford, Maine Regional Airport
Sept 6-9, 2012 State Laws for model aviation
flying aren’t necessary!
20,000 spectators thrilled by model aircraft flying!
Above is a sample of a petition letter and photo that can be created on www.change.org and when
electronically signed by supporters it will be auto-emailed to legislators.
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