If anyone has not sent a petition it can be found on the AMA website at http://amagov.modelaircraft.org/4077
All you have to do is enter your zip code to get it addressed to the correct Senators and Representative and press Send to have it activated.
Below is the actual letter I received from Duncan Hunter. Senators Boxer and Feinstein merely sent form letters acknowledging receipt of my email letter.
Response from Duncan Hunter:
Dear Paul:
Thank you for contacting me with your thoughts regarding efforts to implement federal regulations for model airplanes. It’s good to hear from you.
I appreciate your making me aware of your support with the action taken in the U.S. Senate during its consideration of S. 223, the FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act, as it pertains to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). As you know, the Senate unanimously accepted an amendment offered by Senator Inhofe that denies the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) the authority to develop and establish new rules for the operation of UAS model airplanes.
Like you, I believe it is necessary to curb unnecessary federal involvement in our daily lives and its regulation should only be implemented when absolutely necessary to ensure the public good. While in the past, UAS usage was primarily military or security in nature, new technology and development has brought about new opportunities for different interests, such as model building and flying and aerial photography. The FAA claims its main concern with UAS is safety, but I do not believe this goal warrants unnecessary involvement in activities that are primarily recreational.
It is my understanding that the FAA is expected to provide its proposed rule for public comment in June 2011. In the meantime, the House will soon consider its version of the FAA Reauthorization measure. Please be assured that as a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I will keep your specific thoughts in mind as we continue to discuss this important issue.
Thank you again for contacting me. If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to let me know.
Sincerely,
Duncan Hunter
Member of Congress
Please visit my website at hunter.house.gov to sign up for my e-newsletter and receive electronic updates.
Another response from Duncan Hunter:
Dear Robert:
Thank you for contacting me with your thoughts regarding efforts to implement federal regulations for model airplanes. It’s good to hear from you.
I appreciate your making me aware of your concerns with recent actions by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to develop and establish new rules for the operation of all unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Like you, I believe it is necessary to curb unnecessary federal involvement in our daily lives and its regulation should only be implemented when absolutely necessary to ensure the public good. While in the past, UAS usage was primarily military or security in nature, new technology and development has brought about new opportunities for different interests, such as model building and flying and aerial photography.
The FAA claims its main concern with UAS is safety, but I do not believe this goal warrants unnecessary involvement in activities that are primarily recreational. It is my understanding that the FAA is expected to provide its proposed rule for public comment in June 2011. Please be assured that I will continue to monitor this situation with your specific thoughts in mind.
Thank you again for contacting me. If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to let me know.
Sincerely,
Duncan Hunter
Member of Congress
Please visit my website at hunter.house.gov to sign up for my e-newsletter and receive electronic updates.
Response fron Brian Bilbray:
Dear Mr. Belknap:
Thank you for contacting me regarding your concerns about model aviation with respect to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.
As you know, the Senate has passed their version of the FAA reauthorization on February 17th and the House is expected to act soon on its version. Among other things, the bill will address the FAA proposed regulations for model aircraft. When the Senate passed their version, S. 223 by Senator Rockefeller (D-WV), an amendment was included to prohibit the FAA from regulating certain types of model aircraft.
San Diego is home to many model aviation enthusiasts. I understand the fun and knowledge that can come from building your own aircraft and flying it. While I respect the needs of the FAA to regulate certain unmanned aerial vehicles, like military drones, there needs to be a distinction made between those and very low flying model planes and helicopters.
Please be assured that as we continue to debate FAA reauthorization, I will keep your thoughts firmly in mind. Again, thank you for contacting me. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me or my office at (202) 225 0508.
Sincerely,
Brian Bilbray
Member of Congress
Please do not reply to this email, as messages sent to this email inbox cannot be answered. If you would like to contact Congressman Bilbray, please visit our website at http://bilbray.house.gov.
Response from the AMA:
AMA Works to Amend Reauthorization Bill Providing Relief for Model Aviation from sUAS Rules
M U N C I E, I N – Sen. James Inhofe, OK, successfully sponsored S.223 in the Senate yesterday with an amendment specifying a “Special Rule For Model Aircraft” that provides an exemption from regulation for model aircraft operating within the following parameters:
- Flown specifically for recreational, sport, competition, or academic purposes;
- Operated in accordance with a community-based set of safety guidelines within the programming of a nationwide community-based organization;
- Limited to 55 pounds or less unless certified through a design, construction, inspection, flight test, and operational safety program currently administered by a community-based organization.
“On behalf of our 140,000 members I want to thank Senator Inhofe, Chairman Jay Rockefeller and Ranking Republican Kay Bailey Hutchinson for their leadership in shepherding the FAA reauthorization bill through the U.S. Senate,” said Academy of Model Aeronautics President Dave Mathewson. “Aeromodeling is an exceptional family recreational and education activity that has traditionally been a stepping stone for our children to careers in aviation and aerospace. With the Senators’ help we hope model aviation will continue to help provide that impetus for future generations of engineers,
pilots and astronauts.” The bill now moves to the House of Representatives, which is expected to rule on the matter in the very near future.
AMA has contended that the purpose and operation of model aircraft flown for recreational purposes is uniquely different from the operation of the growing number of commercial small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) for which the FAA is drafting regulation. Aeromodelers operating under AMA’s guidelines have earned a reputation of being one of the safest, if not the safest users of the National Airspace System. This exemplary safety record spans more than 75 years.
The Academy of Aeronautics, founded in 1936, charters 2,400 clubs across the country, sanctioning more than 2,000 events and competitions as a member of the National Aeronautic Association. It is dedicated to promoting aeromodeling as a recreational, competitive and academic pursuit.
Letter from Timothy Johnson, AMA District 10 AVP:
As many of you may know, the FAA is working to regulate Model Aviation. One Senator Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma has attached an amendment to Senate bill S.223 which is the FAA Reauthorization Bill. The amendment attached by Senator Inhofe prevents the FAA from regulating our Hobby of Radio Control Model Aviation. The bill passed in the Senate with very little issue. The House of Representatives have a bill of their own, H.R.658. This bill has been approved by the house with much controversy. The Senate bill S.223 now needs to be voted on and approved by the House, and House bill H.R.658 needs to be voted on and approved by the Senate then to be combined and delivered to the President for his signature.
We as Radio Control Aviation enthusiast need to contact our local Congress Representatives, urging the passing of S.223. I do not need to go into detail about how important it is for all of us to send our representatives a letter. The AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) have made it extremely easy for you to send a letter through their website. The letter is already composed for you, all you need to do is enter your name, address and email address. Doing this will only take 2 minutes away from your busy schedule. But it is very important for our hobby that you can take the time to fill out the short form to send the letter to your representatives. Here is the link to the form: http://amagov.modelaircraft.org/4077/this-is-placeholder-call-to-action/
I hope you can take the time to do this. Many of your peers, children, and grand children would like to continue to enjoy the Radio Control Model Aviation hobby without excessive regulation. This is one liberty as many others that I would hate to lose. Thank you for your time.
Kind Regards,
Timothy Johnson
AMA District 10 AVP
Scale Squadron of Southern California
