EAA Sends Letter Regarding Model Aircraft Language in FAA Reauthorization Bill

October 4, 2018 — On September 26, EAA sent a letter to the chairpersons and ranking members of both the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation regarding language concerning model aviation in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018.

The letter notes that although EAA “applauds the bipartisan effort of both houses to draft the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 and pass an FAA reauthorization bill before the close of this session,” EAA “join[s] the Academy of Model Aeronautics’ concern regarding an inconsistency in the language of the Special Rule for Model Aircraft in the bill, which specifically restrains model aircraft to flying at or below 400 feet above ground level in Class G airspace.”

The letter goes on to state that certain higher-altitude activities such as model glider competitions have been going on for decades without any hazard to manned aircraft, and to note the importance of model aircraft as a pathway to manned aviation.

While the five-year FAA reauthorization passed on Wednesday without amendments, EAA will work with the FAA under the new law to continue the safe and mutually beneficial coexistence between personal aviation and the model aircraft hobby.