Things To Know Regulations and safety. Just one of the numerous advantages of joining the AMA is the ability to fly your RC aircraft in places that are not designated AMA locations such as public parks, schools, and certain public lands that are free of people and obstructions such as a non-developed area with paved roads as an example and still be covered by AMA's liability insurance. This was a fairly recent shift in their policy where in the past you were only covered if flying at an AMA sanctioned flying field which is a welcomed one for many a safe pilot that may not have access to a local AMA flying field.
However, as can be imagined, this is NOT license to fly wherever you want, whenever you want, without some common sense and respect for the property, obstructions, people and animals that may be in the general location of your chosen flying area. Let's take a closer look at the types of decisions and safety guidelines that must be met at all times in order to still be protected as an AMA member in the unfortunate incident an accident occurs involving your RC aircraft.
Public Schools - My flying buddy and I have been flying at a local junior high school for years now. There are many reasons we choose to fly there. For one, the school offers a rubber-surfaced track and giant paved parking lot that allows us to fly our EDF jets and small to large RC airplanes with retracts that we might not otherwise be able to on grass. Our local AMA flying field is a shorter, grass field that simply does not work for some of these aircraft.
Most often we choose times when there is no school activities or sports going on such as weekends or week nights when school is out. We almost always fly when there is nobody else around at all but us.
However, there are times when it cannot be avoided such as folks who show up once we are already there flying, perhaps to jog around the track or play in the soccer field or other areas.
This is where it comes in handy to have a friend with you who can be a lookout, reporting where people are located so you can keep your eyes on your aircraft at all times. I'm guessing you are free to fly on your own property. How about other places? Does it have to be an actual RC field? Can it be a park, as long as you don't endanger anyone?
Everything in the second section my original answer used to be true well, except for the first statement , but doesn't consider that the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of made this regulatory. The FAA has a webpage that discuss it in more detail , but here is an image that covers the basics:.
There is also a much more detailed letter of interpretation from the FAA which discusses their ability to enforce the regulation and many other parts of 14 CFR 91 if a model aircraft endangers another aircraft, flies within 5 miles of an airport without receiving a clearance, flies into a restricted area, etc. Option 1. Under this rule, operators must:. Provide prior notification to the airport and air traffic control tower, if one is present, when flying within 5 miles of an airport.
Register the aircraft UAS over 0. The other option is to obtain a pilot certificate and comply with part UAS regulations. Nothing in this AC changes the requirement to comply with the statute or any applicable regulations.
While aero-modelers generally are concerned about safety and exercise good judgment when flying model aircraft for the hobby and recreational purposes for which they are intended, they may share the airspace in which manned aircraft are operating. Unmanned aircraft, including model aircraft, may pose a hazard to manned aircraft in flight and to persons and property on the surface if not operated safely.
Model aircraft operations that endanger the safety of the National Airspace System, particularly careless or reckless operations or those that interfere with or fail to give way to any manned aircraft may be subject to FAA enforcement action.
Model aircraft operators flying from a permanent location within 5 miles of an airport should establish a mutually agreed upon operating procedure with the airport operator and the airport air traffic control tower when an air traffic facility is located at the airport.
Public Law recognizes the authority of the Administrator to pursue enforcement action against persons operating model aircraft who endanger the safety of the National Airspace System. Model aircraft operators should follow best practices including limiting operations to feet above ground level AGL. Note that this is "guidance" and recommended procedures that the FAA "encourages voluntary compliance with" in order to "reduce the potential for hazards and create a good neighbor environment with affected communities and airspace users.
General American law: it's legal if it ain't illegal. And there's no overarching law that covers all RC airplanes. So the law is you can fly them except where you can't. That may sound unhelpful, but my point is that unless where you are has specific laws or rules against it, you're fine.
There's also a general restriction on commercial use. TFRs happen all over the country for all sorts of reasons, and they are just what they sound like: a temporary restriction on flying over a certain area. They could be for wildfires, or large events, or VIPs. So the President visits a city 25 miles away, you fly your RC airplane in your backyard, and you're technically breaking federal law. The short answer is: commercial flights money is involved are almost always illegal.
The legal basis for the statement that you "must follow safety guidelines" does not exist. People in my club go out in the desert and fly several thousand feet high, for example. Probably your best bet is to join a local club and fly at their site.
They will have a site which is conducive to safe flying, and have a regulated management of flying operations which will be safe and legal. You will need to ensure your plane or drone is registered with the CAA, and you have passed the Competency Test; More detail on how to do this in an article here. However, not only should you be conversant with the national rules, outlined above, but also the local by-laws and ownership of the land over which you want to fly.
Since the drone incidents at Gatwick airport in the authorities have tightened up on unrestricted flying of drones and unmanned aircraft. This includes local councils, but their attitude varies greatly and the only sure way to be sure is to contact them directly. The rules and regulations are different in each local authority area, so call your local council to check. Each National Park has its own rules about flying drones or RC planes.
The Lake District appears to allow unmanned aircraft flying under 20 kgs. However Dartmoor does not. The law on this is not clear. There is no restriction on overflying at height. Generally yes, but check with the local authority and their local by-laws, which may prohibit flying, even if the land is in private ownership.
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