INtheAIR - 2011/02

February 2011 9
INtheAIR
AMA HEADQUARTERS AND MEMBER NEWS
On nOveMber 29, 2010, AMA
President Dave Mathewson and AMA
Government and Regulatory Affairs
Representative Rich Hanson met with
FAA Associate Administrator for
Aviation Safety Peggy Gilligan.
Following are excerpts from the
discussion with Ms. Gilligan regarding
the proposed regulation for small
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) and
its potential impact on model aviation.
AMA: When our discussion and
negotiation started three years ago, we
were told that the objective was to
merely define model aviation, and that
it would be exempt from regulations.
That has changed in the past six to nine
months; we are concerned that the
“square peg” of model aviation is being
put into the “round hole” of the
regulatory process, and that the FAA is
going in a direction that is detrimental
to model aviation and its industry as a
whole.
What can we do to help move things
forward?
FAA: Model aviation is a very diverse
community with many different vehicles
used by the model hobbyist. We must
make sure that flights are done safely.
The introduction of more sophisticated
vehicles—whether they are unmanned
systems as recognized by the military or
some of the civil operators, or even
some of the aircraft that AMA members
are operating—is making the system
even more complex.
We have to make sure we are
balancing everyone’s access to the
National Airspace System [NAS] at the
same time that we are balancing safety.
AMA has a great safety record, and the
FAA would like to build on that. The
FAA wants to make sure there is real
clarity around “what is a hobbyist?”
This all started because the FAA saw
people taking advantage of the old
advisory circular, which was really
aimed at what model aviation was in
1981, and they believed that they could
operate under that guidance. In 2007 the
FAA realized that it wasn’t quite as
simple as it was back in 1980. Now the
FAA has to clarify for everyone what
the definitions are and where everyone
fits into a very complex system.
AMA: Why has the FAA deemed it
necessary to regulate model aviation
activity at this point and to a level that
might be extensive?
FAA: Until we see the proposal [proposed
rule due in June], don’t assume what it
will or will not say regarding the operation
of small aircraft that are unmanned that
are operating in the system. Drawing some
of those lines are complicated.
The FAA wants to make sure that it is
balancing the equities in all of this. There
are some AMA members who are
operators of small unmanned vehicles
that FAA believes need to have a safety
framework just like everything else that
operates.
AMA: Can you tell us about the
outreach that the FAA will provide to
the aeromodeling community to ensure
that modelers and the hobby industry
understand the FAA’s need for
regulatory intervention?
FAA: When the FAA established the
Aviation Rulemaking Advisory
Committee, we asked that the modelers
be a member and the AMA joined the
committee. That is really where this
process starts.
We look for recommendations from
the community to make sure that we are
getting the breadth and depth of
experience that organizations like AMA
can bring to the FAA when we consider
setting these kinds of standards. Beyond
that, when the proposal comes out, there
will be an opportunity for comments, just
like all of our other regulations.
The FAA really does encourage
comments. We want to make sure, again,
that the FAA is well informed about
what the impacts might be of what we
propose, including intended
consequences and unintended
consequences. Only you and your
members may be able to understand
better than we could possibly understand.
And, again, we want to understand the
unique niche that AMA serves in the
aviation community and make sure that we
aren’t having unintended consequences
and that, in fact, we are ensuring safe
operations. That is kind of the balance that
FAA is always faced with.
AMA: There probably will be
unintended consequences. What is the
suggested path for addressing those
probable inequities?
FAA: Again, commenting on the
proposal when it is published, and that
won’t be for a while. We have quite a
heavy rulemaking workload now. We
AMA and FAA Discuss Regulatory Process
02sig1.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 12/20/10 11:06 AM Page 9
INtheAIR
have had some congressional direction
that we need to meet.
Once the proposal is out, we really
do want to know how you see it
impacting your community. At the same
time, I know that there have been some
discussions and AMA has voluntary
standards. We very much encourage the
development of industry voluntary
standards being put forward as
something FAA can accept or can use
as a way of meeting safety requirements
for a particular part of the community.
We did that quite successfully with
light sport aircraft, for example, where
we have industry standards for the
design and production of light sport
aircraft. The industry puts those
forward and reviews them to make sure
there is an appropriate level of safety.
Then the community can build and
design to those standards, for example.
So we would encourage AMA,
either in advance or as a part of the
public comment period, to make sure
that we understand the standards you
have set voluntarily for your
community so we can consider them as
the set of standards for the whole
community.
AMA: We are torn right now; we
understand the limitations of federal
law, and UAPO [Unmanned Aircraft
Program Office] representatives are
unable to tell us what exactly is going
to be in the NPRM. We are stuck
between participating in the process
and our duty to let our members know
what’s going on. Can you understand
this discomfort?
FAA: The public’s right to know is
when we issue the notice. Your
members and anyone else interested
will have the notice at the same time. In
that regard, I don’t think your
membership is necessarily at a
disadvantage.
We will provide a sufficient
comment period, and if you are
concerned that is isn’t long enough, you
can always ask for an extension to the
comment period. You have a large
membership, and you want to do some
outreach, which could be a basis under
which we might consider extending the
comment period if you think the
standard 60 or 90 days isn’t sufficient.
As you point out, we can’t share in
advance what we are proposing. We
have to do it in a public setting at one
time for everyone.
AMA: Reworking our standards and
supporting the NPRM [Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking] is almost, in
essence, signing a blank check. If we
wanted to support the NPRM before it
is released, how could we do that
without knowing exactly what it
contains?
FAA: You can share with your members
that the voluntary standards that AMA
has set, the leadership that AMA has
always shown in this area, is exactly
what FAA is relying on to provide to us
now in this context as well. We know
that you are leaders in this community
and that the voluntary standards as you
have described have provided a level of
safety which is quite high.
I think if I were you, I would make it
clear to your membership that FAA very
much values the experience and the
expertise that AMA can bring to this
discussion, and that we will seriously
look at the voluntary standards that you
have in place to see how well they can
serve as setting the safety framework for
modelers throughout the country.
AMA: Why now, after 75 years of an
impeccable safety record? What have
we done to make this action on your
part necessary?
FAA: The NAS is getting more
complicated every day. Again, as we saw
in the mid-2000s, the guidance that FAA
had out at the time as it related to
hobbyists was being misapplied by those
who I think were well intended, but they
thought they saw themselves reflected in
that guidance. FAA has to update that
guidance.
We have to establish an appropriate
clarification around what is model hobby
activities and what is really the use of
small unmanned aircraft in the NAS. If
there are concerns that there is no
avenue for you to be heard, let me know.
We will make sure that we are listening
to this community, which likely will be
impacted by our regulations. But we
want to do that in a fair way.
We want to make sure that we are
enhancing safety but that we are, at the
same time, supporting the hobbyists who
have been active members of this
community for a very long time. So we
are trying to find that balance.
AMA: From the beginning of this
process we have gone along with the
UAPO, to get through this leaving
model aviation intact as it exists today.
Is that still the intent?
FAA: We certainly mean for it to
remain intact. As I said before, I can’t
promise that doesn’t mean there won’t
be some differences. Because, again, I
personally don’t know what the risks
are.
But as the NAS becomes more
complex, and as we change approach
procedures, and as airspace is
redesigned for commercial operations,
those changes may also have an effect
on whether and where the hobbyists can
operate. We need to make sure that we
are balancing those factors and be aware
of how those changes interact, while
assuring that there is still the
opportunity for the model aircraft flier
to have a place to operate safely.
AMA: What kind of assurances can
you give our community that these
proposed regulations will not be so
onerous as to be debilitating?
FAA: We have a responsibility when we
propose regulations to know what both
the cost and the benefits are and to
balance those with an eye toward
making the operations safer. It is never
our intention to put any aviation entity
out of business. We obviously want to
be able to encourage the growth of
aviation at the same time that we are
making sure that we are doing that
safely.
So the proposal will set out where we
see as the potential impacts to your
community. If we are inaccurate, we
need your comment then and your data
that helps support what you see as the
impact so we can better balance the
proposal.
Again, the whole point of the
proposal is for us to learn from those
who will be affected by those aspects
that, in our own analysis, we either
overlooked or did not fully consider, or
maybe didn’t even consider at all. It will
be very important for your community
especially, and for AMA, to provide us
that kind of input. MA
—AMA Headquarters
10 MODEL AVIATION
02sig1.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 12/20/10 12:45 PM Page 10
February 2011 11
INtheAIR
Timeline: FAA and AMA Negotiations
Your advocacy team of professionals and
volunteers has been at the table with the FAA for
nearly three years. This process will likely come to a
conclusion later in 2011.
June 2008: Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC)
commenced.
March 2009: ARC submitted report to the FAA.
April 2009: FAA began internal rules development
and review process (ongoing).
May 2009: AMA formed Model Aviation Standards
Development Workgroup and initiated standards
development process (ongoing—workgroup meets
weekly).
January 2011: Model Aviation Standards
Development Workgroup completed initial draft.
January through March 2011: AMA draft standards
to be vetted through AMA Executive Council and
aeromodeling community.
April 2011: AMA to present Model Aviation
Standards to the FAA for preliminary acceptance.
For nearly three years AMA has been working with the FAA on potential regulations
affecting model aircraft. A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) is due to be released
for public comment in June.
However, now is the time for you—the AMA member—to familiarize yourself with
this important issue and the regulatory process, and to prepare for action in case the
need arises in the coming months. A section has been added to the AMA Web site for
Academy members and all who are concerned about the fate of aeromodeling; check it
out at www.modelaircraft.org/gov.
The site will feature background information about this topic, the latest developments, how to communicate with your
federal representatives, information about your advocacy team, and much more, so visit it periodically. It’s the AMA
government relations “tool kit.”
The Academy has been there for modelers for generations. Now is the time for you to do your part for the future of
model aviation. MA
—AMA Headquarters
Get up to Speed on the FAA Issue
June 2011: FAA to publish Small Unmanned
Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking.
June through August/October 2011: Sixty- to 120-
day public comment period.
August/October 2011 through Mid-2012: Public
comment review and resolution period. (Time period
is variable, based on quantity, complexity, and
response of comments submitted.)
Fall 2011: Finalization of Model Aviation Standards
and submission to FAA for official acceptance as
alternative means of complying with sUAS rule.
Mid-2011 Through 2012: Model Aviation Standards
Development Workgroup and AMA staff to review,
develop, and/or restructure AMA’s Model Aviation
support material as needed to prepare for
implementation of AMA Model Aviation Standards.
Mid to Late 2012: FAA to publish final sUAS rule
and response to public comments.
First Quarter 2013: sUAS rule and AMA Model
Aviation Standards are implemented.
02sig1.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 12/20/10 2:09 PM Page 11
12 MODEL AVIATION
INtheAIR
NEFI Makes Donations
L-R: Melissa Blair of ARF, Shorty, and NEFI CD Jay Smith.
Jay Smith (R) hands a check for the AMA’s National Model
Aviation Museum to its director, Michael Smith.
The National Electric Fly-In (NEFI), which was held in June 2010, raised money to benefit two worthy recipients: the
Academy’s National Model Aviation Museum and the Animal Rescue Fund shelter, or ARF, which is also located in Muncie,
Indiana.
NEFI CD Jay Smith, who is also MA’s assistant editor, presented a $1,000 check to each organization in November. Shown
in the photo with Jay and ARF’s Melissa Blair is Shorty—a three-legged, long-haired Chihuahua, who is, of course, up for
adoption. MA
—AMA Staff
It is with sadness that the AMA
announces that former AMA Executive
Director Jim Cherry died December 2,
2010, at his home in Panama City. He
was 60. He had resigned from his post
in August to return to Florida to be
with his family.
Jim was instrumental in several
projects with the Academy, including
introducing it to the League of Cities,
helping develop AMA’s reworked
long-range strategic plan, and
implementing his Program of Work
concept that helped guide the
Academy’s staff of 55 at the 1,100-acre
International Aeromodeling Center
(IAC) in Muncie.
Jim was an active leader who
wasn’t afraid
to get his hands
dirty. He helped
make the IAC more
secure with his Host/Hostess
Program and regularly attended
aeromodeling events in Muncie. Jim also
traveled a great deal, making himself an
intrepid spokesperson for the Academy and
the wholesome activity that modeling is. His
family values touched us all.
“During his nearly four years as the
Academy’s Executive Director,
beginning in 2006, Jim launched a
number of important initiatives for
AMA,” said AMA President Dave
Mathewson. “The entire model aviation
community will miss him, and all of us at
Former AMA
Executive
Director
Jim Cherry
Passes
AMA extend our heartfelt condolences
to his wife, Lynn, and his family.”
As an expression of sympathy,
memorial contributions can be sent to the
Homeless and Hunger Coalition of
Northwest Florida at Box 549, Panama
City FL 32402 ([850] 819-2173).
Jim’s family requests that you honor
his memory by hugging those close to
you and performing random acts of
kindness for someone in need. MA
—MA Staff
02sig1.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 12/20/10 11:09 AM Page 12
February 2011 13
An active lifelong aeromodeler, Leroy Weber
passed away Friday November 26, 2010, following a
heart attack.
Many had always looked forward to seeing Leroy
at modeling events, whether it was the Scale World
Championships, AMA Nats, or others. He was a quiet
man who talked about himself very little, according to
his grandson, Matt.
Those who knew Leroy will miss him and his
guiding presence. He had given much help to World
Championship teams throughout the years.
Leroy’s family would love to hear stories about
him. If anyone has tales to share, please contact Matt
Weber at Box 355, Rio Vista CA 94571, or via e-mail
at [email protected].
Look for a news tribute honoring Leroy in an
upcoming issue of the magazine. MA
—MA Staff
The Greater Cincinnati Radio Control Club (GCRCC) held its 50th Annual
Flying Circus August 7-8, 2010! The slogan was “Celebrate 50 Years of High
Flying Fun!” and that’s what attendees did. An excess of 200 models were flown in
32 events for more than four hours each day.
More than 100 volunteers and 50 pilots from the GCRCC and their extended RC
community participated. It was a sunny weekend, and the show was a great success
with more than 8,000 spectators.
This fly-in has many goals, one of which is to keep model aviation in the public
eye; that helps to procure flying sites and increase membership in surrounding
clubs. To that end, the GCRCC invited all nearby clubs to display information
about their organizations and recruit members.
The gathering was publicized in advance by four newspapers, three TV stations,
and two radio stations, and multiple newspapers and TV stations covered the event
during the weekend. The Flying Circus continues to be a great way to share
aeromodeling with the public.
The GCRCC thanks AMA President Dave Mathewson and District III Bob
Brown for attending. It meant a lot to the club membership to be recognized by the
AMA!
Planning has already begun for the 51st Annual Flying Circus, to be held August
6-7 this year. Go to www.rcflyingcircus.com for more information. MA
—Mark J. Feist ([email protected])
District III
50 Years of “High Flying Fun”!
Academy to
Hold First
Camp AMA!
The inaugural Camp AMA All-
Stars will take place June 6-9, 2011. It
is for 13- to 18-year-old Academy
Youth Members but is not for
beginners. Registration will be open
only to qualified participants; the AMA
is looking for the 10 best helicopter and
10 best airplane fliers who want to
learn from the best pilots!
Watch MA, your e-mail, the AMA
Today online newsletter, and the
Academy’s Web site (www.model
aircraft.org) for more details! MA
—Education Department
Leroy Weber Jr.:
1919-2010
INtheAIR
02sig1.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 12/20/10 11:09 AM Page 13

February 2011 9
INtheAIR
AMA HEADQUARTERS AND MEMBER NEWS
On nOveMber 29, 2010, AMA
President Dave Mathewson and AMA
Government and Regulatory Affairs
Representative Rich Hanson met with
FAA Associate Administrator for
Aviation Safety Peggy Gilligan.
Following are excerpts from the
discussion with Ms. Gilligan regarding
the proposed regulation for small
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) and
its potential impact on model aviation.
AMA: When our discussion and
negotiation started three years ago, we
were told that the objective was to
merely define model aviation, and that
it would be exempt from regulations.
That has changed in the past six to nine
months; we are concerned that the
“square peg” of model aviation is being
put into the “round hole” of the
regulatory process, and that the FAA is
going in a direction that is detrimental
to model aviation and its industry as a
whole.
What can we do to help move things
forward?
FAA: Model aviation is a very diverse
community with many different vehicles
used by the model hobbyist. We must
make sure that flights are done safely.
The introduction of more sophisticated
vehicles—whether they are unmanned
systems as recognized by the military or
some of the civil operators, or even
some of the aircraft that AMA members
are operating—is making the system
even more complex.
We have to make sure we are
balancing everyone’s access to the
National Airspace System [NAS] at the
same time that we are balancing safety.
AMA has a great safety record, and the
FAA would like to build on that. The
FAA wants to make sure there is real
clarity around “what is a hobbyist?”
This all started because the FAA saw
people taking advantage of the old
advisory circular, which was really
aimed at what model aviation was in
1981, and they believed that they could
operate under that guidance. In 2007 the
FAA realized that it wasn’t quite as
simple as it was back in 1980. Now the
FAA has to clarify for everyone what
the definitions are and where everyone
fits into a very complex system.
AMA: Why has the FAA deemed it
necessary to regulate model aviation
activity at this point and to a level that
might be extensive?
FAA: Until we see the proposal [proposed
rule due in June], don’t assume what it
will or will not say regarding the operation
of small aircraft that are unmanned that
are operating in the system. Drawing some
of those lines are complicated.
The FAA wants to make sure that it is
balancing the equities in all of this. There
are some AMA members who are
operators of small unmanned vehicles
that FAA believes need to have a safety
framework just like everything else that
operates.
AMA: Can you tell us about the
outreach that the FAA will provide to
the aeromodeling community to ensure
that modelers and the hobby industry
understand the FAA’s need for
regulatory intervention?
FAA: When the FAA established the
Aviation Rulemaking Advisory
Committee, we asked that the modelers
be a member and the AMA joined the
committee. That is really where this
process starts.
We look for recommendations from
the community to make sure that we are
getting the breadth and depth of
experience that organizations like AMA
can bring to the FAA when we consider
setting these kinds of standards. Beyond
that, when the proposal comes out, there
will be an opportunity for comments, just
like all of our other regulations.
The FAA really does encourage
comments. We want to make sure, again,
that the FAA is well informed about
what the impacts might be of what we
propose, including intended
consequences and unintended
consequences. Only you and your
members may be able to understand
better than we could possibly understand.
And, again, we want to understand the
unique niche that AMA serves in the
aviation community and make sure that we
aren’t having unintended consequences
and that, in fact, we are ensuring safe
operations. That is kind of the balance that
FAA is always faced with.
AMA: There probably will be
unintended consequences. What is the
suggested path for addressing those
probable inequities?
FAA: Again, commenting on the
proposal when it is published, and that
won’t be for a while. We have quite a
heavy rulemaking workload now. We
AMA and FAA Discuss Regulatory Process
02sig1.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 12/20/10 11:06 AM Page 9
INtheAIR
have had some congressional direction
that we need to meet.
Once the proposal is out, we really
do want to know how you see it
impacting your community. At the same
time, I know that there have been some
discussions and AMA has voluntary
standards. We very much encourage the
development of industry voluntary
standards being put forward as
something FAA can accept or can use
as a way of meeting safety requirements
for a particular part of the community.
We did that quite successfully with
light sport aircraft, for example, where
we have industry standards for the
design and production of light sport
aircraft. The industry puts those
forward and reviews them to make sure
there is an appropriate level of safety.
Then the community can build and
design to those standards, for example.
So we would encourage AMA,
either in advance or as a part of the
public comment period, to make sure
that we understand the standards you
have set voluntarily for your
community so we can consider them as
the set of standards for the whole
community.
AMA: We are torn right now; we
understand the limitations of federal
law, and UAPO [Unmanned Aircraft
Program Office] representatives are
unable to tell us what exactly is going
to be in the NPRM. We are stuck
between participating in the process
and our duty to let our members know
what’s going on. Can you understand
this discomfort?
FAA: The public’s right to know is
when we issue the notice. Your
members and anyone else interested
will have the notice at the same time. In
that regard, I don’t think your
membership is necessarily at a
disadvantage.
We will provide a sufficient
comment period, and if you are
concerned that is isn’t long enough, you
can always ask for an extension to the
comment period. You have a large
membership, and you want to do some
outreach, which could be a basis under
which we might consider extending the
comment period if you think the
standard 60 or 90 days isn’t sufficient.
As you point out, we can’t share in
advance what we are proposing. We
have to do it in a public setting at one
time for everyone.
AMA: Reworking our standards and
supporting the NPRM [Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking] is almost, in
essence, signing a blank check. If we
wanted to support the NPRM before it
is released, how could we do that
without knowing exactly what it
contains?
FAA: You can share with your members
that the voluntary standards that AMA
has set, the leadership that AMA has
always shown in this area, is exactly
what FAA is relying on to provide to us
now in this context as well. We know
that you are leaders in this community
and that the voluntary standards as you
have described have provided a level of
safety which is quite high.
I think if I were you, I would make it
clear to your membership that FAA very
much values the experience and the
expertise that AMA can bring to this
discussion, and that we will seriously
look at the voluntary standards that you
have in place to see how well they can
serve as setting the safety framework for
modelers throughout the country.
AMA: Why now, after 75 years of an
impeccable safety record? What have
we done to make this action on your
part necessary?
FAA: The NAS is getting more
complicated every day. Again, as we saw
in the mid-2000s, the guidance that FAA
had out at the time as it related to
hobbyists was being misapplied by those
who I think were well intended, but they
thought they saw themselves reflected in
that guidance. FAA has to update that
guidance.
We have to establish an appropriate
clarification around what is model hobby
activities and what is really the use of
small unmanned aircraft in the NAS. If
there are concerns that there is no
avenue for you to be heard, let me know.
We will make sure that we are listening
to this community, which likely will be
impacted by our regulations. But we
want to do that in a fair way.
We want to make sure that we are
enhancing safety but that we are, at the
same time, supporting the hobbyists who
have been active members of this
community for a very long time. So we
are trying to find that balance.
AMA: From the beginning of this
process we have gone along with the
UAPO, to get through this leaving
model aviation intact as it exists today.
Is that still the intent?
FAA: We certainly mean for it to
remain intact. As I said before, I can’t
promise that doesn’t mean there won’t
be some differences. Because, again, I
personally don’t know what the risks
are.
But as the NAS becomes more
complex, and as we change approach
procedures, and as airspace is
redesigned for commercial operations,
those changes may also have an effect
on whether and where the hobbyists can
operate. We need to make sure that we
are balancing those factors and be aware
of how those changes interact, while
assuring that there is still the
opportunity for the model aircraft flier
to have a place to operate safely.
AMA: What kind of assurances can
you give our community that these
proposed regulations will not be so
onerous as to be debilitating?
FAA: We have a responsibility when we
propose regulations to know what both
the cost and the benefits are and to
balance those with an eye toward
making the operations safer. It is never
our intention to put any aviation entity
out of business. We obviously want to
be able to encourage the growth of
aviation at the same time that we are
making sure that we are doing that
safely.
So the proposal will set out where we
see as the potential impacts to your
community. If we are inaccurate, we
need your comment then and your data
that helps support what you see as the
impact so we can better balance the
proposal.
Again, the whole point of the
proposal is for us to learn from those
who will be affected by those aspects
that, in our own analysis, we either
overlooked or did not fully consider, or
maybe didn’t even consider at all. It will
be very important for your community
especially, and for AMA, to provide us
that kind of input. MA
—AMA Headquarters
10 MODEL AVIATION
02sig1.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 12/20/10 12:45 PM Page 10
February 2011 11
INtheAIR
Timeline: FAA and AMA Negotiations
Your advocacy team of professionals and
volunteers has been at the table with the FAA for
nearly three years. This process will likely come to a
conclusion later in 2011.
June 2008: Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC)
commenced.
March 2009: ARC submitted report to the FAA.
April 2009: FAA began internal rules development
and review process (ongoing).
May 2009: AMA formed Model Aviation Standards
Development Workgroup and initiated standards
development process (ongoing—workgroup meets
weekly).
January 2011: Model Aviation Standards
Development Workgroup completed initial draft.
January through March 2011: AMA draft standards
to be vetted through AMA Executive Council and
aeromodeling community.
April 2011: AMA to present Model Aviation
Standards to the FAA for preliminary acceptance.
For nearly three years AMA has been working with the FAA on potential regulations
affecting model aircraft. A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) is due to be released
for public comment in June.
However, now is the time for you—the AMA member—to familiarize yourself with
this important issue and the regulatory process, and to prepare for action in case the
need arises in the coming months. A section has been added to the AMA Web site for
Academy members and all who are concerned about the fate of aeromodeling; check it
out at www.modelaircraft.org/gov.
The site will feature background information about this topic, the latest developments, how to communicate with your
federal representatives, information about your advocacy team, and much more, so visit it periodically. It’s the AMA
government relations “tool kit.”
The Academy has been there for modelers for generations. Now is the time for you to do your part for the future of
model aviation. MA
—AMA Headquarters
Get up to Speed on the FAA Issue
June 2011: FAA to publish Small Unmanned
Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking.
June through August/October 2011: Sixty- to 120-
day public comment period.
August/October 2011 through Mid-2012: Public
comment review and resolution period. (Time period
is variable, based on quantity, complexity, and
response of comments submitted.)
Fall 2011: Finalization of Model Aviation Standards
and submission to FAA for official acceptance as
alternative means of complying with sUAS rule.
Mid-2011 Through 2012: Model Aviation Standards
Development Workgroup and AMA staff to review,
develop, and/or restructure AMA’s Model Aviation
support material as needed to prepare for
implementation of AMA Model Aviation Standards.
Mid to Late 2012: FAA to publish final sUAS rule
and response to public comments.
First Quarter 2013: sUAS rule and AMA Model
Aviation Standards are implemented.
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12 MODEL AVIATION
INtheAIR
NEFI Makes Donations
L-R: Melissa Blair of ARF, Shorty, and NEFI CD Jay Smith.
Jay Smith (R) hands a check for the AMA’s National Model
Aviation Museum to its director, Michael Smith.
The National Electric Fly-In (NEFI), which was held in June 2010, raised money to benefit two worthy recipients: the
Academy’s National Model Aviation Museum and the Animal Rescue Fund shelter, or ARF, which is also located in Muncie,
Indiana.
NEFI CD Jay Smith, who is also MA’s assistant editor, presented a $1,000 check to each organization in November. Shown
in the photo with Jay and ARF’s Melissa Blair is Shorty—a three-legged, long-haired Chihuahua, who is, of course, up for
adoption. MA
—AMA Staff
It is with sadness that the AMA
announces that former AMA Executive
Director Jim Cherry died December 2,
2010, at his home in Panama City. He
was 60. He had resigned from his post
in August to return to Florida to be
with his family.
Jim was instrumental in several
projects with the Academy, including
introducing it to the League of Cities,
helping develop AMA’s reworked
long-range strategic plan, and
implementing his Program of Work
concept that helped guide the
Academy’s staff of 55 at the 1,100-acre
International Aeromodeling Center
(IAC) in Muncie.
Jim was an active leader who
wasn’t afraid
to get his hands
dirty. He helped
make the IAC more
secure with his Host/Hostess
Program and regularly attended
aeromodeling events in Muncie. Jim also
traveled a great deal, making himself an
intrepid spokesperson for the Academy and
the wholesome activity that modeling is. His
family values touched us all.
“During his nearly four years as the
Academy’s Executive Director,
beginning in 2006, Jim launched a
number of important initiatives for
AMA,” said AMA President Dave
Mathewson. “The entire model aviation
community will miss him, and all of us at
Former AMA
Executive
Director
Jim Cherry
Passes
AMA extend our heartfelt condolences
to his wife, Lynn, and his family.”
As an expression of sympathy,
memorial contributions can be sent to the
Homeless and Hunger Coalition of
Northwest Florida at Box 549, Panama
City FL 32402 ([850] 819-2173).
Jim’s family requests that you honor
his memory by hugging those close to
you and performing random acts of
kindness for someone in need. MA
—MA Staff
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February 2011 13
An active lifelong aeromodeler, Leroy Weber
passed away Friday November 26, 2010, following a
heart attack.
Many had always looked forward to seeing Leroy
at modeling events, whether it was the Scale World
Championships, AMA Nats, or others. He was a quiet
man who talked about himself very little, according to
his grandson, Matt.
Those who knew Leroy will miss him and his
guiding presence. He had given much help to World
Championship teams throughout the years.
Leroy’s family would love to hear stories about
him. If anyone has tales to share, please contact Matt
Weber at Box 355, Rio Vista CA 94571, or via e-mail
at [email protected].
Look for a news tribute honoring Leroy in an
upcoming issue of the magazine. MA
—MA Staff
The Greater Cincinnati Radio Control Club (GCRCC) held its 50th Annual
Flying Circus August 7-8, 2010! The slogan was “Celebrate 50 Years of High
Flying Fun!” and that’s what attendees did. An excess of 200 models were flown in
32 events for more than four hours each day.
More than 100 volunteers and 50 pilots from the GCRCC and their extended RC
community participated. It was a sunny weekend, and the show was a great success
with more than 8,000 spectators.
This fly-in has many goals, one of which is to keep model aviation in the public
eye; that helps to procure flying sites and increase membership in surrounding
clubs. To that end, the GCRCC invited all nearby clubs to display information
about their organizations and recruit members.
The gathering was publicized in advance by four newspapers, three TV stations,
and two radio stations, and multiple newspapers and TV stations covered the event
during the weekend. The Flying Circus continues to be a great way to share
aeromodeling with the public.
The GCRCC thanks AMA President Dave Mathewson and District III Bob
Brown for attending. It meant a lot to the club membership to be recognized by the
AMA!
Planning has already begun for the 51st Annual Flying Circus, to be held August
6-7 this year. Go to www.rcflyingcircus.com for more information. MA
—Mark J. Feist ([email protected])
District III
50 Years of “High Flying Fun”!
Academy to
Hold First
Camp AMA!
The inaugural Camp AMA All-
Stars will take place June 6-9, 2011. It
is for 13- to 18-year-old Academy
Youth Members but is not for
beginners. Registration will be open
only to qualified participants; the AMA
is looking for the 10 best helicopter and
10 best airplane fliers who want to
learn from the best pilots!
Watch MA, your e-mail, the AMA
Today online newsletter, and the
Academy’s Web site (www.model
aircraft.org) for more details! MA
—Education Department
Leroy Weber Jr.:
1919-2010
INtheAIR
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