As suddenly as it cancelled the rule, the FAA has reinstated Advisory
Circular 91-57, the Model Aircraft Operating Standards that have guided
radio control aircraft operators since 1981. As we reported last
week, the AC was cancelled on Oct. 10. It was back in force by Oct. 14.
Cancellation of the AC, which sets out the voluntary safety and
good-neighbor practices for RC aircraft operations, took the RC and sUAS
(small unmanned aerial systems) communities by surprise. Rich Hanson,
who looks after government and regulatory affairs for the Academy of
Model Aeronautics (AMA), got hold of Jim Williams, executive manager of
the FAA UAS Integration Office, and was told it was all a mistake. "It
was learned that the announcement was premature and the cancellation
notice on the FAA webpage was posted in error," Hanson said in a
statement.
Hanson also said the "outdated AC" will be cancelled in the future
but not without notice and explanation from the FAA. The AC will be
replaced with the Special Rule for Model Aircraft that is part of the
current FAA authorization passed by Congress in 2012. The new rule has
been updated to incorporate the rapidly expanding sUAS sector. In the
meantime, the AMA, which sets RC model operating standards through its
affiliated clubs, is urging members to maintain those standards while
getting ready for the new regime. "AMA members are encouraged to become
familiar with the provisions of the Special Rule and continue to operate
their model aircraft safely and responsibly in accordance with the
National Model Aircraft Safety Code and the AMA Safety Program," Hanson
said in his statement.
No comments:
Post a Comment