David Kay Loc: Arlington Heights IL

I just received a notice from my agent for my business insurance. They told me that there is no coverage for unmanned aircraft under my insurance policy. Either for the aircraft or for liability coverage. They can provide me with a separate policy that provides up to $500,000 of coverage, for $636.00 per year.

Now I have not seen the policy to be able to determine the coverage and/or the exclusions. But, $500,000 is not a lot of coverage.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Thank you.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I have no interest in getting a drone. I'd use it (maybe lose it) a couple of times and then put it in the closet.

Registration and regulation are good ideas, considering what some irresponsible owners have done with drones. If it weren't for a few idiots, the gov't would have stayed out of it.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Right. Remember the baby who had an eye destroyed by one?

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

The $5.00 fee was chosen because it is the same fee charged for any plane that has to be registered, even a Boeing 757.

Typically the government may have even screwed up even this simple ruling. I haven't seen anything that defines "drone". Are the fixed wing model aircraft I used to fly included? If so, model flyers are going to have an expensive problem if they have to register every model they own: most R/C flyers have several models so will have a booklet full of registrations!

The Academy of Model Aeronautics has been the "governing body' for models for decades, their system makes more sense; the modeler was given a membership number and that same number was put on all his planes, typically on the wings, and there was an ID form inside the model with the name of the owner and contact information.

I understand that Drones, with their greater range and altitude capabilities, present different regulation problems, but the old system worked and could have been adopted by the FAA, but NIMBY probably prevented them from accepting a tried and true system, so they went out and developed a square rule.

DePratt Loc: Stantonsburg, NC

R/C Model flyers are registering themselves as flyers and are required to place their ( one ) number on all of their planes ( fixed wing or rotary wing models between .55lbs to 55lbs ) and have a copy of the registration papers on hand as a hard or digital copy at all times.

1 ($5.00) fee renewable every 3 years.

DePratt

DePratt Loc: Stantonsburg, NC

Academy of Model Aeronautics Member Communication
AMAToday
Tuesday, December 15, 2015


AMA and the FAA Registration Process

Today the FAA announced plans for a model aircraft registration process to begin next week. AMA was a member of the task force that helped develop recommendations for this registration rule and argued throughout the process that registration makes sense at some level but only for those operating outside the guidance of a community-based organization or flying for commercial purposes.

Unfortunately, the new FAA registration rule does not include our advice. The rule is counter to Congress's intent in the Special Rule for Model Aircraft and makes the registration process an unnecessary burden for all of our members who have been operating safely for decades.

While we are disappointed with the new registration rule and still maintain that AMA members should be exempt from registration, the rule is being implemented over AMA objections. Therefore, we want to provide you with important information about the registration rule and how AMA members can comply with the new federal requirements:

All aircraft that are flown using a ground control system, such as a transmitter, are required to participate. This includes fixed-wing aircraft, not just multirotors or drones.
Any pilot flying models weighing between .55 pounds (or 250 grams) and 55 lbs is required to register.
You will not be required to register every aircraft individually. You only need to register yourself and can affix one registration number to all your aircraft.
You must mark all aircraft with your registration number. The number can be inside the aircraft, such as a battery hatch - but should not require tools to access.
The FAA plans to launch the online registration website on Monday, December 21.
There is a $5 fee to register, which is waived if you register within the first 30 days.
You only need to register once every 3 years.

We are still working out the logistics for this process. Some details are still being discussed, including:

We are seriously discussing with the FAA a system where your AMA number could be used as your federal registration number as well. At this point, this is only a proposal and details are not yet finalized.
At this time, AMA members will not automatically be registered when the registration website launches next week. However, we are in conversations with the FAA about the best way to streamline the registration process for AMA members going forward.

This is an ongoing process and we will continue to provide updates on the registration rule. Stay tuned to modelaircraft.org/gov, social media and your email for the latest news on the registration process.

Thank you,
AMA Government Relations and Advocacy Team

DePratt

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

Thanks for both of your replies!

I was getting concerned that a hobby that I had enjoyed for 25 years was going to get killed by unreasonable regs. I think the AMA regulations were reasonable and they mostly worked. I don't remember hearing of too many serious accidents, and most clubs, in their own self-interest, made sure new members could fly safely before the turned them loose at the fields.

I stopped flying in the late 80's due to a growing family, my own business, and just too many other time commitments; now unfortunately, I don't think my eyes are good enough, but I still enjoy going to local fields and meets.

bcrawf

Get ready (if there is such a thing on this matter) for a swarm of little drones. Many models are available for about $30 (search Amazon).

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

You don't have to file a flight plan. You may choose to do so. You file by calling a number and giving minimal information. You learn to drive your car, you can learn to file. No big deal.

Of course there are forbidden zones. Usually around airports where a drone can interfere with normal landing patterns. You have forbidden zones for your car. (Don't drive on the shoulders of the freeway.) Again no big deal.

"Things" in the air need to be controlled so they don't harm other people. This has become very clear in the last few weeks. And it doesn't deal with children toy $50 drones, only the bigger drones.

Obama is not coming for your drones.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Not sure why the rant. Personally I would use drones for target practice, IF I had a gun.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Bill, I don't see where anything Ron... wrote implied that the flying of drones was being forbidden.
--Bob

Rongnongno Loc: FL

*ahem*
Attack drone for real
:shock: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Thanks for that link.

ken hubert Loc: Missouri

I will just ignore their stupid law.