Voices From the Aeromodeling Community - 2011/05

Voices From the
Aeromodeling Community
18 MODEL AVIATION
This is what AMA offers its members.
If the choice is between voluntary
compliance with a community-based set of
safety guidelines and mandatory compliance
with a set of FAA regulations, the answer is
clear. We hope that every aeromodeling
enthusiast with a passion for this hobby and a
desire to protect the future of model aviation
for generations to come will join us in this
effort.
Model aviation has operated safely and
harmoniously in the National Airspace System
since before manned flight. It has an
impeccable and truly envious safety record—
the best in all of aeronautics. This is largely
because of AMA’s oversight, self-governance,
and good ol’ common sense.
Our protest has been heard in the halls of
power. We hope that, in turn, the FAA will
consider more fully the potential negative
impact that restrictions on model aviation will
cause to hobbyists, sportsmen, and educators.
Please visit the AMA’s Government
Relations Web page regularly for timely
updates and on Facebook at AMAGov. You
can contact me and our Advocacy Team at the
e-mail address listed in the “Sources” section
below.
If you are one of the tens of thousands of
letter-writing advocates, we thank you. Please
continue to inform others of our need for
support. This voyage we’re taking together is
far from over. MA
Rich Hanson
AMA Government
Relations and
Regulatory Affairs
Representative
Sources:
AMA Government Relations
www.modelaircraft.org/gov
Advocacy Team
[email protected]
by Rich Hanson
WITHIN THE first two weeks of launching
our Congressional Awareness Campaign in
March, tens of thousands of AMA members
and model aviation supporters wrote more
than 80,000 individual letters to members of
Congress expressing their concern regarding
FAA’s intent to regulate model aircraft.
Undoubtedly, thousands more will be written
before this article goes to press.
The awareness campaign garnered
supporters in the House and Senate, and
scores of congressmen responded to their
constituents with letters of understanding
and support. On the next page are excerpts
from a few of the letters sent from Capitol
Hill.
As of this writing, the legislative process
is running its course and the outcome is not
yet clear. However, by the time you read this
we should know whether we were successful
in getting an amendment to the FAA
Reauthorization Bill protecting model
aircraft from undue regulation.
Regardless of the outcome, the
tremendous response to the campaign was
highly successful in bringing our concerns to
the attention of our elected officials and
making it clear that the modeling community
is closely watching this process.
One of the key questions from
aeromodelers has been, Are the Academy’s
actions in its efforts to seek an amendment
to exempt model aviation from federal
regulation an attempt to force modelers to
join the AMA? The answer is absolutely not.
The Academy’s intent is not to create an
environment that mandates membership, but
rather to defend the hobby against
unnecessary and onerous regulation. AMA
believes and has always contended that
aeromodeling should be conducted in a safe
and responsible manner and in accordance
with a reasonable set of safety guidelines.
Our Friends at EAA Weigh In
Our congressional
campaign delivered
the message
EAA stands solidly behind the position and efforts of AMA to keep the
aeromodeling hobby free of unnecessary regulation by the FAA. We applaud the
actions taken by AMA and we are encouraged by the overwhelming number of
AMA members who have become directly involved.
For many EAA members, modeling was one of the initial sparks responsible for
lighting a lifelong love of flight. We understand the long-term impact modeling has
had on generating both recreational participation as well as
careers in aviation and aerospace. For many EAAers, modeling
remains as much of a passion as does full-scale flying.
As a kindred organization of passionate aviators, we remain at
your side and will continue to assist as needed. MA
—Rick Larsen
Vice President Marketing & Communications
—Sean Elliot
Vice President Government and Industry Relations
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