FAA rules clip hobbyists' wings: Column Listen to Congress and leave model airplanes hobbyists alone.

Dave Mathewson | USA TODAY

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently published proposed rules for integrating small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS), or drones, into our national airspace. These long awaited rules are a positive step to enabling widespread commercial and civil operations of sUAS to take flight. But for recreational users of this technology, like myself and hundreds of thousands of others, our longstanding fun, educational hobby is at risk.

I was eight years old the first time I flew a radio controlled model aircraft with my father, and I have been flying ever since. Model aviation spurred my interest in becoming a full scale pilot, in science and technology, taught me to work with my hands, led to a 30 year career in the medical support field and now as the Executive Director at the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA). If the FAA proposed rules move forward as is, model aircraft enthusiasts may be burdened with unnecessary and restrictive policies.

The danger lies in the FAA's interpretation of the "Special Rule for Model Aircraft," a provision in the 2012 FAA Modernization and Reform Act. Under the Act, the FAA is prohibited from promulgating any rule or regulation on model aircraft operating for hobby and recreational purposes. But the agency's interpretation of this rule, released in June 2014, is contrary to the intent of Congress. And, unfortunately, the FAA is using the interpretative rule as a foundation for policies relating to model aircraft in the proposed sUAS rules.

By no means did Congress intend to give hobbyists a free pass. Instead, policymakers left risk mitigation and the development of appropriate safety guidelines for the operation of model aircraft devices to community-based organizations, like AMA. Since 1936, AMA has been governing hobbyists across the country with safety guidelines and training programs. We are constantly evolving our programming to accommodate new technologies, new modeling disciplines, and a diverse community of more than 176,000 members that come from all age ranges. Our members have a stellar safety record due to these well-established educational programs.

Under the FAA's interpretative rule, however, the agency concludes that model aircraft are defined as "aircraft" giving the agency the authority to regulate their use. This makes model aircraft subject to Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) just like jetliners, which is simply absurd. What's more, FAA's narrow interpretation of the term "hobby or recreational use" undermines and potentially creates a severe negative financial impact on the industry that supports model aviation. This myopic approach harms a number of activities, but none more so than the use of model aircraft as a tool for teaching science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

For decades, AMA has been directly involved in youth education and advancements in science and technology as it relates to aeronautical and aerospace disciplines. Many of our clubs are active in AMA's Adopt-a-Pilot program, helping to introduce students in more than 1,500 classrooms to the wonders of aviation and the application of math and sciences to the marvels of flight. However, if the FAA moves forward with its interpretative rule, all these efforts will be undone.

The adverse impact of this rule can be seen by the public response to it. Over 33,000 public comments were submitted on this rule. This is more than 7 times the number of comments received on the more broadly publicized and scrutinized small UAS rule. The FAA needs to consider the advice and concerns of our community as it moves forward with regulations.

By addressing the discrepancies in the interpretative rule, the agency can protect this valuable hobby by supporting the continuation of the self-governing system that has proven to be effective and has been working for decades.

My dad and I are one of thousands that have been inspired by model aviation, an outstanding educational and recreational family activity, and it is our hope that the FAA ensures this hobby continues to inspire future generations.

Dave Mathewson is the executive director of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA).

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