Newcomers — Control Line Scale (2001/02)
Bob Underwood Box 40, St. Peters MO 63376
Newcomers
One of the most misunderstood elements of the Academy of Model Aeronautics' part in aeromodeling concerns the "rules."
The casual observer may see little specific evidence of rules, or the need for rules when it comes to flying model aircraft. He or she understands that competitive events must operate within a rules structure—but what part do rules play in recreational flying?
When someone becomes more deeply involved, he or she becomes aware of specific items that have an impact on participation in the activity. When he or she links up with a club, an awareness of flying-site rules occurs. Upon joining AMA, he or she is given the Safety Code and receives the AMA Membership Manual.
Although many aren't aware of it, there is a fourth set of rules for Radio Control (RC) that many newcomers never come in contact with: the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Parts 15 and 95 regulating radio usage.
There are also directives by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) concerning flying activities. The Competition Regulations are used for specific event flying.
Within these documents there is an interesting blend of "Thou shalt and Thou shalt nots"—we'll call rules—and some recommendations. Problems develop when the lines between these blur, and misinterpretations occur. In most cases there is confusion about priorities maintained by these documents, and somehow the "recommendations" take on the value of absolute rules. I'll try to clear up some of the confusion.
Official AMA National Model Aircraft Safety Code
This is the correct name! You will generally see it written as the "AMA Safety Code." Most people never catch the fact that AMA has separate codes for boats, cars, and rockets, available for the asking. Your AMA membership does provide insurance coverage for these areas! The codes for these activities come from the Special Interest Groups (SIGs), or associations primarily involved with the activities.
There are several important factors to consider in the AMA Safety Code for aircraft. A statement in bold print at the top states, "Model flying MUST be in accordance with this Code in order for AMA Liability Protection to apply." This is not written in typical legalese, nor is there the typical glossary of terms that attempt to lock in word meanings. The document is more of a common-sense reality check.
There are absolutes in the Safety Code for maximum permissible takeoff weights. The use of extremely hazardous fuels, etc., are spelled out, but less clearly defined words and phrases imply that you should "use common sense." Some individuals attempt to nail down each possible condition or word meaning.
In General #8 the phrase "extremely hazardous fuels" is used. Someone might say all fuels are hazardous to some degree; what makes them extremely hazardous? Two hazardous ingredients are listed—one of them is tetranitromethane. The term "nitro" in that word does not mean that the 10% nitro fuel you just bought violates the Code; the "tetra" prefix changes the chemical meaning entirely.
Other words or phrases people try to nail down are "approximately" (General #2), "prior to" (General #11), "qualified" and "experienced" (Radio Control #2), etc. Rather than becoming paranoid about these more general items, realize that the Academy does not seek to use the Code as an escape vehicle in the event of an accident. It promotes the Code as guidelines for safe, intelligent, enjoyable flying.
Maintaining a balance in providing liability coverage for all members is difficult. AMA must cover the one-gram indoor model, the 180 mph, 30-pound turbine model, and everything in between.
You might hear members talk about "sanctioned" flying sites. In their minds, these are sites that AMA approves. AMA does not do that! There are recommendations for setting up flying sites, and specific parameters for Competition Regulations events if you want to sanction them through the Academy, but there are no specific site requirements for general flying.
The phrase often used is, "It's not where you fly, but what and how." Using the appropriate type of model and precautions, parks, schoolyards, backyards, airports, gyms, etc., might be considered flying sites.
Club and Community Flying Site Rules
The AMA Safety Code cannot cover all the contingencies that might be present with the thousands of flying sites throughout the country. In many cases, local regulations may dictate additional rules and guidelines for a club.
Each club and community flying site creates an additional list. These lists are often (but not always) divided into two groups:
- Safety rules: might detail areas that must not be overflown.
- Operational items: contain such items as "no flying before 9 a.m."
The important thing for the individual modeler to know is that the safety items developed for the local site become part of the AMA Safety Code by virtue of General #3. Therefore, breaking the local site rules is the equivalent of violating AMA rules.
The reason for this club site/AMA Safety Code relationship is simple. In most cases, club-owned or -leased sites—and public sites—are protected under AMA's insurance umbrella.
This is accomplished by the club or chapter (a group of AMA clubs) chartering with the Academy; the members of the club or chapter are AMA members, and the group has formally applied for recognition with the Academy.
A chartered club may obtain primary liability coverage for the site owner. This process completes the circle, linking the AMA Safety Code and the individual site rules into a common document.
Within the last two years there has been a rapid escalation in the popularity of small, lightweight electric-powered Radio Control (RC) models flown indoors and outdoors.
Because of the model's size, low weight, and slower speed, they can be used very effectively as trainers. Operation in a much more restricted area is also possible.
Individuals operating these types of models are reminded that their RC transmitters have the same effective range as any other RC system. Therefore, exercise care in their operation to make certain that established model-flying sites are not located nearby. Guidelines for site separation are included in the AMA Membership Manual.
Although the Academy does not "sanction" or approve flying sites, it does promote safety by suggesting that flying take place at established sites so proper frequency management may be provided.
Before operating the so-called "park flyers" or other small electric models, check to make sure there are no other aeromodeling operations in the area.
—Bob Underwood
AMA Membership Manual
There is a variety of information in this booklet, which ranges from listings of AMA support services to rules in the form of the bylaws.
There are recommendations scattered throughout sections. These are not rules in the sense of "Thou must" but suggestions for model operations; a number of them are listed as "strongly recommended." These listings are where much of the confusion about rules/recommendations develops. Individuals will read "Recommended RC Flying Site Specifications" and immediately overlook the first word in the title as well as other words such as "suggested." The details become rules in his or her mind.
These site specifications may be inadequate for the situation involving the club. If the area outside the immediate flying site is populated and large, or fast models are flown there, the dimensions may need stretching.
If the site is a few acres leased from a farmer and in the middle of 400 acres of corn or beans, the specifications might be smaller—with the permission of the owner of the crops you would be flying over.
There are rules in the Membership Manual but there are many more recommendations.
FCC Regulations
One section raises the specter of the rule/recommendation controversy more than any other: the "AMA Radio Control Utilization Plan."
Within the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), two parts relate to the operation of Radio Control models—Parts 15 and 95. There is another section—Part 97—but it's not an issue for the average newcomer, who is not licensed in the Amateur Radio Service. Those who have "Ham" are aware of the regulations.
Most RC flyers may have never seen a copy of Part 95, which is the general document for modelers' use. When it was necessary to obtain an FCC license to operate an RC unit years ago, it was a rule that you had to read Part 95.
Do you need to obtain a copy to know whether you are operating legally? You can, but operating within the guidelines of the Membership Manual will cover most probable areas.
As you review the information in this Membership Manual section, many of the recommended items are specific rules for sites throughout the U.S. They are the result of close cooperation among radio manufacturers, AMA, and, ultimately, the consumer.
An example is the frequency identification program. Manufacturers provide channel number plaques and the red or yellow streamer that denote the frequency band used. Although no specific rule exists within the Safety Code, most clubs require these items.
There are only two radio-related items in the Safety Code: Radio Control #1 and Radio Control #4, which is the key issue.
You must operate on legal FCC frequencies. In concert with the manufacturers, the Academy made it possible to use the current 50 frequencies in the 72 MHz (megahertz) band.
This was accomplished by developing the plan presented in the Membership Manual then presenting transmitter specifications to the FCC for its approval and implementation of federal regulations.
The process worked as a result; almost all 50 frequencies are available to RC modelers, even though we are secondary users and must accept any interference created by commercial users between frequencies.
One item from Part 95 should be mentioned, because there has been much discussion about it recently—crystal swapping by the user.
Item 95.45(b) states: "No RC transmitter with incorporated plug-in frequency determining modules which are changed by the user must be certificated with the modules." Each module must contain all the frequency determining circuitry including the oscillator. Plug-in crystals are not considered modules and must not be accessible to the user.
Does this practice occur? Yes! This immediately throws a "what if" into your mind. What if an accident occurs because the model accidentally switches the transmitter crystal with the receiver crystal and transmits on a different frequency than expected? It has happened!
You can speculate about what might occur if court action followed and there was a violation of federal law.
Although the Academy does not condone breaking federal regulations, it is not an enforcement agency. There is a statement to that effect in the radio section of the Membership Manual, item 4.11.
FAA Directives
AMA has had a productive liaison with the FAA for many years. Because of the adherence to the Safety Code, and the excellent record of sharing concern for the proper use of airspace, the FAA has not placed stringent regulations on model flying.
In the early 1970s, the FAA issued a directive; parts of it were incorporated into the AMA Safety Code in terms such as General #3. Further collaboration between the FAA and AMA occurred with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and their derivatives.
Competition Regulations
This is a "rule" book! It contains all the formal competition classes in the various categories of flying. There are rules used to standardize competition throughout the U.S.
Members may participate in the maintenance of these rules by submitting proposals through the Contest Boards and/or the Executive Council which oversees rule development.
For the most part, many of the "rule" concerns are down the road for the newcomer.
A Closing Thought
When you are in doubt about whether the information you are receiving is a rule or a recommendation, there are sources you can use to find the answer.
It is important to remember that when you find an item identified as a recommendation—especially if the word "strongly" precedes it—the concept was not developed lightly.
Bear in mind that the Academy is attempting to protect the hobby and promote the highest level of enjoyment, while maintaining safe operations.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
