Those Whacky RC DS guys

On Apr 21, 12:21*am, Eric Greenwell wrote:
Adam wrote:
The AMA limit is 55 pounds. However the AMA does not regulate, only
insure, lobby, and liaise. So if you want to be covered by the AMA
policy that membership affords, you best follow the AMA safety code
found he

http://www.modelaircraft.org/files/105.pdf

Wow, they've really raised the weight limit since I was flying models!

Also, the thermal fliers regularly exceed the 400 feet, don't they? Not
likely an issue for the dynamic soarers, I suppose. Personally, I've
never even seen a model while I've been flying, except waaay down there
on a slope soaring hill.



The FAA has this to say with regards to model aviation:
http://www.modelaircraft.org/files/540-C.pdf

This document is 28 years old. Does the FAA know what's going on now?

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
* Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

* "Transponders in Sailplanes"http://tinyurl.com/y739x4
* * * Sections on Mode S, TPAS, ADS-B, Flarm, more

* "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" atwww.motorglider.org

Eric,

The document is current. Read the following regarding current
developments in UAVs and current model practice (same as 1981):

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/E7-2402.htm

I repeat, AMA is not "law", just a lobbying group and insurer. I have
no idea from where the 55 pound limit comes.

DS, slope and thermal planes can all easily exceed 400' but FAA
recommends against such activities.

What is your concern with today's modeling practices?

/Adam

Adam wrote:

Eric,

The document is current. Read the following regarding current
developments in UAVs and current model practice (same as 1981):

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/E7-2402.htm

I repeat, AMA is not "law", just a lobbying group and insurer. I have
no idea from where the 55 pound limit comes.

DS, slope and thermal planes can all easily exceed 400' but FAA
recommends against such activities.

What is your concern with today's modeling practices?

Just curiosity. I'm fascinated by how things have changed since I was a
big time modeler in the 50s and 60s, when I flew controline, free-flight
and RC gas and gliders (towed and hand launched), and then microfilm
indoor models while in college. Two buddies from college still do it,
one RC slope mainly, the other a wide variety (he even worked for Fox,
Estes, and Cox at various times), so I still hear bits and pieces about
the scene.

The development of autonomous gliders that's going on could almost get
me modeling again. I was particularly interested in the Canadian one
launched with a high altitude balloon, and figured out when to release
and how to get back home by itself.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
* Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

* "Transponders in Sailplanes" http://tinyurl.com/y739x4
* Sections on Mode S, TPAS, ADS-B, Flarm, more

* "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" at www.motorglider.org