Community Based Organization Standards Often Exceed FAA Rules

While a U.S. District Court recently ruled that the FAA's registration rule violates Section 336 of the 2012 FAA Modernization and Reform Act, Congress had no intention of giving model aircraft pilots and hobbyists a free pass.

That is the assessment of Richard Hanson, president of the Academy of Model Aeronautics, writing in an editorial for The Hill.

Hanson writes that the Special Rule for Model Aircraft "was intended to allow hobbyists to fly within CBO (Community Based Organization) safety programing, essentially providing an alternative that is equitable – if not more rigid – than what the FAA offers to those who prefer not to operate within a CBO. Unfortunately, some people simply use the Special Rule as a get out of jail free card and do not fully engage or operate in accordance with a CBO program. This is part of the reason why we acknowledge that some tweaks may be necessary for the Special Rule. Nevertheless, we strongly believe that the option for hobbyists to operate in a CBO structure should remain."

The  AMA was formed two decades before the AMA, Hanson writes, and it has established a National Model Aircraft Safety Code that has been recognized by Congress as well as state legislatures as a safe and effective means of managing model aircraft enthusiasts. He points out that AMA members have been required by the organization for years to register their aircraft and include an identifying number. Therefore, he said, asking AMA members to register with the FAA is "clearly duplicative and unnecessary."

Hanson writes that the AMA believes that education, not regulation, "is what truly equips individuals to fly safely and responsibly."

(Image from file)

FMI: Original Article