FAA Considering New Model Aircraft Regulations | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-06.23.25

Airborne-NextGen-06.24.25

AirborneUnlimited-06.25.25

Airborne-AffordableFlyers-06.26.25

AirborneUnlimited-06.27.25

Fri, Apr 01, 2016

FAA Considering New Model Aircraft Regulations

The FAA Is Now Looking At Regulating The Operators Of Control Line Model Aircraft

ANN April 1 Special Edition

Long before radio controlled model aircraft were in operation, modelers found another way to allow the model builder to actually control their model airplane. This is called control line flying (U-Control) which has been popular since the 1930s.

In a typical U-control operation, the model aircraft is attached to control lines and a control handle that operates the elevator of the aircraft. The operator stands at a center point as the airplane revolves around in a circle. While this is not complete control of the aircraft it does provide the ability to operate the elevators and do numerous stunts some maneuvers.

Now, as the FAA has clamped more restrictions on the flying of radio controlled model aircraft and drones, they are looking at the U-Control flyer next. The FAA has determined that the common length of the control line, which is about 60 feet, is excessive and that it allows the aircraft to be too far away from the operator and fly at it too great of an altitude. Therefore, the FAA is proposing to limit the control line length to 30 feet. 

While shortening the control line may not seem like a big deal, The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) disagrees. They remind the FAA that as the control line gets shorter the operator must rotate at a faster speed. A typical 360 degree rotation for a control line operator is about 4 to 6 seconds. By shortening the lines, the rotation speed increases to the point that the operator may become dizzy and collapse. AMA says this could result in the operator releasing the control handle allowing the aircraft to head for parts unknown.

The FAA has quickly responded to this concern by saying that a new medical certification will be created for U-Control model airplane operators. This medical certification will test their ability to withstand rapid rotation of up to 60 revolutions per minute. They say rotation testing devices will be located at various points in the country, and will be operated by FAA medical examiners who will no longer be issuing third class medicals. The FAA also said these testing devices will be funded through registration fees charged to U-Control model aircraft. It is reported that the FAA Aeromedical Division and NASA are preparing to develop this new testing program.

The FAA will also be producing a video to discuss issues surrounding Rapid Rotation Disorientation (RRD) and the registration process for U-Control model airplanes.

FMI: www.faa.gov

Advertisement

More News

NTSB Final Report: Rutan Long-EZ

He Attempted To Restart The Engine Three Times. On The Third Restart Attempt, He Noticed That Flames Were Coming Out From The Right Wing Near The Fuel Cap Analysis: The pilot repor>[...]

ANN FAQ: Turn On Post Notifications

Make Sure You NEVER Miss A New Story From Aero-News Network Do you ever feel like you never see posts from a certain person or page on Facebook or Instagram? Here’s how you c>[...]

Classic Aero-TV: ICAS Perspectives - Advice for New Air Show Performers

From 2009 (YouTube Edition): Leading Air Show Performers Give Their Best Advice for Newcomers On December 6th through December 9th, the Paris Las Vegas Hotel hosted over 1,500 air >[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (06.28.25)

Aero Linx: NASA ASRS ASRS captures confidential reports, analyzes the resulting aviation safety data, and disseminates vital information to the aviation community. The ASRS is an i>[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (06.28.25)

“For our inaugural Pylon Racing Seminar in Roswell, we were thrilled to certify 60 pilots across our six closed-course pylon race classes. Not only did this year’s PRS >[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC