For the purposes of clarity, a UAS is a Drone, a Quad, a Tricopter, an RC Airplane, RC Blimp etc.
If you are a member of our club, you do not need Remote ID to fly at our field. Our field is a FRIA approved site.
You do need to have with you:
AMA membership, FAA registration number, Proof of passing the UAS Recreational Knowledge Test, and a copy of the AMA Safety code.
In light of the new governmental requirements placed on radio control modelers and their aircraft, this page is intended to spell out the Club membership requirements for all current members and prospective members.
First requirement – join the Academy of Model Aeronautics as an Adult Member. This membership level is required of all club members in order to satisfy our use arrangement with the County. The Landfill is a County asset. Academy of Model Aeronautics. We’ll verify your membership with the AMA.
Second requirement – obtain a Federal Aeronautics Administration (FAA) registration number Register your drone and pass this test – UAS Recreational Fliers Knowledge Test. [it’s common sense and is easy to pass]. You will need to furnish us a copy of your certificate. You can upload it on our join page or update your information page.
This FAA link: Recreational Flyers & Community-Based Organizations explains the governance and the particulars of the governance around UAS operation. Operating unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones under 55 pounds in the National Airspace System (NAS) is administered under 14 CFR Part 107, referred to as the Small UAS Rule. However, if you want to fly a drone (or any UAS) for purely recreational purposes [our members, for example], there is a limited statutory exception (“carve out”) that provides for a smaller set of 9 requirements. One of these requirements is to register with the FAA and another requirement is to pass the knowledge test, as noted above. You’ll need to furnish us a copy of your registration card. You can upload it on our join page or update your information page.
Remote I.D.
Remote I.D. is a separate issue. What is it? Remote ID is the ability of a drone [any UAS] in flight to provide identification and location information that can be received by other parties through a broadcast signal.
A recreational flier must fly at a FRIA site (FAA Recognized Identification Area ) if they choose not to add a remote ID capability to their aircraft. Our Club airfield is an approved FRIA site. This means you can fly any UAS there without the remote ID module as long as you stay within the air box we have approved.
What is a FRIA? FAA Recognized Identification Area. Our flying site is an approved FRIA site.
A FRIA is a defined geographic area where drones (UAS aircraft) can be flown without Remote ID equipment. Both the drone and the pilot must be located within the FRIA’s boundaries throughout the operation. In addition, the pilot of the drone must be able to see it at all times throughout the duration of the flight.
OK, so I do all this stuff – get my AMA adult membership, pass the FAA test and get my FAA registration and I join the club. What on earth is next? Yeah, that’s how we all kind of feel, but stay with me here…
So, when you come out to our field to fly your aircraft, you should have with you the following items:
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- AMA Membership Card.
- Proof you passed the Knowledge Test listed above.
- A copy of your FAA registration.
- A copy of our FRIA site’s Community Based Organization’s safety guidelines.
Our Community Based Organization (CBO) FRIA site approval authority is the AMA. Keep a copy of the AMA safety regulations with your equipment. You can download the pdf here. We will also post a copy in our club shelter.
I know this is a lot, but hang in there. If you need assistance, let a club officer know by emailing us at info (at) hcrcm.org
thanks!