MAAA Wingspan

The American Model Association (AMA) and the British Model Flying Association (BMFA) have been through a similar process and similar systems are about to be implemented. Both have height limits placed upon model aircraft and both organisations have been provided with authorities for members to apply for exemptions. The AMA has provided the FAA (the American equivalent to CASA) with a list of club flying sites across the country to assist in helping to chart where model aircraft operations are conducted and to help determine where altitude exemptions can be applied, all without posing a risk to full size aircraft. Both the CASA RPA section and the MAAA are working on a similar approach. The American congress reinstated the FAA registration system for all unmanned aircraft weighing between .55 pounds (249 grams) and 55 pounds (24 kilograms). The British are implementing a system requiring all RPA flyers to comply with a new pilot registration and competence testing system - height limits have been imposed and exemptions have been provided to recognise Model Aircraft Association (BMFA) complying members. The MAAA will continue to lobby those who are responsible to ensure the rights of MAAA members are preserved. As they did in the USA, members, clubs and State bodies may have to lobby local members of parliament to ensure the right outcomes occur. From what I have read and heard, many are very unaware of the role the MAAA and clubs play in the administration of aviation safety. Any lobbying however, must be considered and evenly balanced, impressing on the local members, the strengths of the MAAA, the MAAA culture, the state organisations and the club rules, regulations, safety culture and training requirements together with the excellent working relationship with CASA. Hysterical representations will only cause harm. The message to convey is: • The MAAA is a responsible organisation and has been such for in excess of 40 years. • The MAAA is recognised by CASA as a safety conscious organisation and has been appointed a self-administrative RAAO (Recognised Aviation Administrative Organisation). • The MAAA state associations and clubs have in place rules and policies promoting the safe flying of model aircraft. • The MAAA Instructor and wings system promotes the safe flying of model aircraft and knowledge of rules and regulations. • Members’ knowledge of aviation rules and regulations far surpass those of the general flying hobbyist population. • The impeccable safety record of members over the past 40 years. • Through the administrative and safety culture, MAAA members pose no new risk to aviation safety. • The MAAA has a registration system in place which records all details required by government. • All members have a registration number, which can quite easily be used to identify a model or member. • All members are issued with an identification card detailing their aeromodelling skills and appointments. • Regulations in respect to MAAA members should be more flexible, especially when flying from MAAA approved fields. (The executive believes this should apply to all areas, including local parks etc). • The MAAA training program is far superior to any initiative implemented by government. • Members already pay fees for registration through membership of the association and should not be required to pay additional fees. 04 president’s report CONTINUED...