I’m here asking for the EAA’s help in saving the model airplane/radio control airplane hobby. I’ll explain:

Without going into all of the details, the FAA has released the NPRM regarding remote identification of drones, or UAS as they’re officially referred to. While we can all agree that drones need some regulation/framework to ensure an RV-8 doesn’t have a play date with an Amazon delivery, this NPRM is not the answer. The problem is that the model/RC airplane hobby is getting caught in the crossfire and would cease to exist if the NPRM as written goes into effect. I’ll include a few bullet points along within some links for reading. Here are the major problems:

- Most model/RC airplanes are either built from literal sticks of wood, or at least assembled from many different parts. Under the NPRM, these would be effectively banned due to certification requirements. Imagine if your Experimental pride and joy was subject to the same certification requirements as a C-172. https://diydrones.com/profiles/blogs...lt-rc-aircraft


- Most model airplane hobbyists fly at dedicated clubs affiliated with the Academy of Model Aeronautics. The NPRM does allow for non-remote ID model aircraft to be flown at specific sites without remote-ID compliance, like dedicated AMA clubs, but it provides a very narrow window to approve these sites and no ability to renew them later. The NPRM even specifically says that the FAA wishes to see these sites phased out rapidly. https://uavcoach.com/remote-id-nprm/ and: https://www.thedroneu.com/blog/faa-a...one-remote-id/

- There are other problems as well, but the two above are the first two major ones.


I know many of you may have gotten your start with model aviation. I did. I wanted to be a veterinarian when I was a kid and then my retired Memphis Center ATC Grandfather took me to an RC club and the rest was history. I’m now a former 121 pilot and current Lear 45 captain. Once my wife and I move, I’m planning on a wheels up restoration of a J-3. I know the EAA is at least supportive, but I’m hoping our two groups can band together and stop this FAA overreach. https://eaa.org/eaa/news-and-publica...Fxy43GI31pICUc