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• the existing industry and likely future
social and economic impact of RPAs
technology;
• the potential recreational and commercial
uses of RPAs, including agriculture, mining,
infrastructure assessment, search and
rescue, fire and policing operations, aerial
mapping and scientific research;
• insurance requirements of both private
and commercial users/operators, including
consideration of the suitability of existing
data protection, liability and insurance
regimes, and whether these are sufficient
to meet growing use of RPAs;
Similar enquiries have been and are currently
being conducted in other parts of the world
including Europe, Great Britain and USA.
The move by the FAA to significantly restrict
activity and require the registration of ‘drones’
has been a fairly well publicised move with
(limited) consultation and input from the AMA
(Academy of Model Aeronautics). Any outcome
from this move is yet to be verified. The
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
received a submission during their meeting
in September 2015 on behalf of all model
flyers within Europe, essentially arguing that
model flying should not be subject to any
additional regulation and should be left to each
European Member State to regulate (as per the
current situation). FAI/CIAM, responsible for
competition and records for UAVs (Drones), is
also encouraging member countries, through
their NACs, to actively engage and work with
their regulatory bodies to protect airspace for
sport and recreation aviation activities.
Some countries have even gone to the extent
of banning all types of RPAs including model
aircraft. All is not gloom and doom however,
the MAAA has been invited by the Senate
Committee to provide a submission and
perhaps present oral evidence.
MAAA advocacy for our sport
The MAAA’s current position is that we, as an
organisation, strongly support the proposition
that model aircraft and other RPAs flying must
be safe, within the law, must never endanger
full size aircraft aviation or interfere with the
safety of other persons. However we do not
support any reduction in the manner in which
our clubs and members operate within the
current regulatory framework and exemptions
provided by CASA.
The Executive is currently in discussion with
our legal advisers and are preparing a written
submission for presentation. The written
submission will not only represent the view
of our members but will also seek to preserve
the rights of all aeromodellers in Australia.
Submissions must be presented by the 15th
of December and the Committee enquiry
completed by the end of April 2017.
In the meantime, we will continue to keep
members informed of the progress.
Until next time, have a fun, safe flight.
Neil Tank
President
4
president’s
report
CONTINUED...
The flying of Multi Rotor aircrafts, commonly
referred to as “Drones”, is a fast growing
aspect of our sport/hobby and is growing
faster than any other discipline.
WING
SPAN
NOVEMBER