One RC flying hobbyist’s essential guide to federal regulation LOL

NEW Congress Reconvenes to Complete the FAA Re-Authorization Act
http://www.modelaircraft.org/aboutam...blog.aspx#5311

In the beginning, 6/09/1981, there was Advisory Circular 91-57, the Model Aircraft Operating Standards:
http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Gu...t&Highlight=91

To make a very long story short, WAY BEFORE THE FPV FOLLIES, commercial operators were flying RC models under AC 91-57 which the FAA later ruled against. This left commercial sUAV pioneers without a rule to fly under and without the ability to tell the feds "we were just flying our model airplanes." I started an AC 91-57 thread on RCG that nobody really cares about so you can read more here: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=1402772

Here is the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Regulatory Brief: Unmanned Aircraft Systems: http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/regulatory/unmanned.html

SOMETHING HAD TO BE DONE ABOUT ALL THIS THOUGHT THE REGULATOR (and a lot of other special interest groups with deep pockets and big agendas) and so the ARC was convened. Read it and weep: Small Unmanned Aircraft System, Aviation Rulemaking Committee, Comprehensive Set of Recommendations for sUAS Regulatory Development: http://www.modelaircraft.org/faa/recommendations.pdf

Enter the FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft Program Office (UAPO) and their ”FACT SHEET for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)” http://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives...FACT_Sheet.pdf

From where I sit, AC 91-57 is the elephant in the middle of the room; if the regulatory apple does not fall far from the tree, then we will likely see the old advisory circular reinforced in the new rule for sUAV. Check this out in sUAS News: http://www.suasnews.com/2011/03/4697...as-in-the-nas/

Rich Hanson responds to why regulation and comments on AC 91-57: http://www.modelaircraft.org/aboutam...log.aspx#32411

Pioneers like Patrick Egan and friends have given us the lay of the land while foraging a path to the land of milk and honey for the small businessman with sticks in hand. I find this article particularly interesting: http://www.suasnews.com/2010/11/2782...come%E2%80%A6/

So just what is the FAA up to anyway? Here is what was filed as part of the federal rulemaking process. This, AC 91-57 and the 2009 ARC Recommendations are our best clues as to what the NPRM will be all about:

Operation and Certification of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS)
Popular Title: Small Unmanned Aircraft
RIN 2120-AJ60
Stage: NPRM
Previous Stage:None
Abstract: This rulemaking would enable small unmanned aircraft to safely operate in limited portions of the national airspace system (NAS). This action is necessary because it addresses the novel legal or policy issues about the minimum safety parameters for operating recreational remote control model and toy aircraft in the NAS. The intended effect of this action is to develop requirements and standards to ensure that risks are adequately mitigated, such that safety is maintained for the entire aviation community. http://regs.dot.gov/rulemakings/201103/report.htm

The AMA's Government Relations website:
http://www.modelaircraft.org/aboutama/gov.aspx

Gary Mortimer’s recent article validates the AMA’s recent Congressional Awareness Campaign:
http://www.suasnews.com/2011/02/3841...om-suas-rules/

They liked what AMA did so much that AUVSI followed AMA’s lead:
http://www.suasnews.com/2011/03/4411...uas-community/

NEW So how did we make out? H.R.658 & S.223 may go to committee for reconciliation: http://www.opencongress.org/bill/112-h658/show

Finally, for those of you who just adore RULES, the FAA has lots of them in the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs). Check out FAR part 91 for starters and to cure insomnia. http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text...4/14tab_02.tpl