Does anybody know what this comment means?

[DSR]

I found the following comment at Recreational Flyers & Modeler Community-Based Organizations: "Follow the safety guidelines of a community based organization." Does anybody know what it means? Does that mean I have to find some local group that is supposed to be the god of drones in my local area and do as they say?​

 

[msinger]

For now, it doesn't mean anything. At some point this year, you will need to start following the rules of a CBO. Since the FAA doesn't currently recognize any companies that claim to be a CBO (like the AMA), we'll need to wait for them to compile and present that list.

In the meantime, you can find a complete list of rules you need to be following when flying as a hobbyist here:

Overview of current hobbyist FAA rules (updated 7/23/19)

As of 5/17/19, here's a complete list of rules hobbyists must follow when flying outdoors in the US: Register your drone with the FAA Mark your registration number on the exterior of the drone (decals available here) Fly a drone under 55 lbs Fly only for hobby or recreation Follow the safety...

mavicpilots.com

 

[DSR]

For now, it doesn't mean anything. At some point this year, you will need to start following the rules of a CBO. Since the FAA doesn't currently recognize any companies that claim to be a CBO (like the AMA), we'll need to wait for them to compile and present that list.

In the meantime, you can find a complete list of rules you need to be following when flying as a hobbyist here:

Overview of current hobbyist FAA rules (updated 7/23/19)

As of 5/17/19, here's a complete list of rules hobbyists must follow when flying outdoors in the US: Register your drone with the FAA Mark your registration number on the exterior of the drone (decals available here) Fly a drone under 55 lbs Fly only for hobby or recreation Follow the safety...

mavicpilots.com

Thanks Msinger!

 

[PoonDog]

Check out AMA.

 

[sar104]

I found the following comment at Recreational Flyers & Modeler Community-Based Organizations: "Follow the safety guidelines of a community based organization." Does anybody know what it means? Does that mean I have to find some local group that is supposed to be the god of drones in my local area and do as they say?

What it means has been defined by Congress:

49 USC 44809​

​

(h) Community-based Organization Defined.--In this section, the​

term community-based organization' means a membership-based​

association entity that--​

(1) is described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal​

Revenue Code of 1986;​

(2) is exempt from tax under section 501(a) of the​

Internal Revenue Code of 1986;​

(3) the mission of which is demonstrably the furtherance​

of model aviation;​

(4) provides a comprehensive set of safety guidelines for​

all aspects of model aviation addressing the assembly and​

operation of model aircraft and that emphasize safe​

aeromodelling operations within the national airspace system​

and the protection and safety of individuals and property on​

the ground, and may provide a comprehensive set of safety rules​

and programming for the operation of unmanned aircraft that​

have the advanced flight capabilities enabling active,​

sustained, and controlled navigation of the aircraft beyond​

visual line of sight of the operator;​

(5) provides programming and support for any local​

charter organizations, affiliates, or clubs; and​

(6) provides assistance and support in the development​

and operation of locally designated model aircraft flying​

sites.​

​

(i) Recognition of Community-based Organizations.--In​

collaboration with aeromodelling stakeholders, the Administrator shall​

publish an advisory circular within 180 days of the date of enactment​

of this section that identifies the criteria and process required for​

recognition of community-based organizations.''.​

So which organizations meet those criteria has not been fully defined, although the recent FAA circular 91-57B expands somewhat on that:

7.1.2 The Aircraft is Operated in Accordance With or Within the Programming of a CBO’s Set of Safety Guidelines That are Developed in Coordination With the FAA. Once the FAA has developed the criteria for recognition of CBOs and started officially recognizing CBOs, those CBOs’ safety guidelines will be available for use. During this interim period, the FAA offers two means to satisfy this statutory condition. Recreational flyers should be able to explain to an FAA inspector or law enforcement official which safety guidelines they are following.

7.1.2.1 The FAA acknowledges that existing aeromodelling organizations have developed safety guidelines that are helpful to recreational flyers. An example is the AMA safety guidelines, which have previously been reviewed by the FAA as part of the organization’s Recognized Industry Organization (RIO) status for participation in the National Aviation Events Program (refer to FAA Order 8900.1, Volume 5, Chapter 9, Section 6, Issue/Renew/Reevaluate/Rescind an Air Boss Letter of Authorization). These or existing safety guidelines of another aeromodelling organization may be used for recreational operations, provided the guidelines do not conflict with the other statutory conditions of 49 U.S.C. § 44809(a).​

 

[DSR]

What it means has been defined by Congress:

49 USC 44809​

​

(h) Community-based Organization Defined.--In this section, the​

term community-based organization' means a membership-based​

association entity that--​

(1) is described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal​

Revenue Code of 1986;​

(2) is exempt from tax under section 501(a) of the​

Internal Revenue Code of 1986;​

(3) the mission of which is demonstrably the furtherance​

of model aviation;​

(4) provides a comprehensive set of safety guidelines for​

all aspects of model aviation addressing the assembly and​

operation of model aircraft and that emphasize safe​

aeromodelling operations within the national airspace system​

and the protection and safety of individuals and property on​

the ground, and may provide a comprehensive set of safety rules​

and programming for the operation of unmanned aircraft that​

have the advanced flight capabilities enabling active,​

sustained, and controlled navigation of the aircraft beyond​

visual line of sight of the operator;​

(5) provides programming and support for any local​

charter organizations, affiliates, or clubs; and​

(6) provides assistance and support in the development​

and operation of locally designated model aircraft flying​

sites.​

​

(i) Recognition of Community-based Organizations.--In​

collaboration with aeromodelling stakeholders, the Administrator shall​

publish an advisory circular within 180 days of the date of enactment​

of this section that identifies the criteria and process required for​

recognition of community-based organizations.''.​

So which organizations meet those criteria has not been fully defined, although the recent FAA circular 91-57B expands somewhat on that:

7.1.2 The Aircraft is Operated in Accordance With or Within the Programming of a CBO’s Set of Safety Guidelines That are Developed in Coordination With the FAA. Once the FAA has developed the criteria for recognition of CBOs and started officially recognizing CBOs, those CBOs’ safety guidelines will be available for use. During this interim period, the FAA offers two means to satisfy this statutory condition. Recreational flyers should be able to explain to an FAA inspector or law enforcement official which safety guidelines they are following.

7.1.2.1 The FAA acknowledges that existing aeromodelling organizations have developed safety guidelines that are helpful to recreational flyers. An example is the AMA safety guidelines, which have previously been reviewed by the FAA as part of the organization’s Recognized Industry Organization (RIO) status for participation in the National Aviation Events Program (refer to FAA Order 8900.1, Volume 5, Chapter 9, Section 6, Issue/Renew/Reevaluate/Rescind an Air Boss Letter of Authorization). These or existing safety guidelines of another aeromodelling organization may be used for recreational operations, provided the guidelines do not conflict with the other statutory conditions of 49 U.S.C. § 44809(a).​

Thanks sar104!

 

[DSR]

Check out AMA.

Thanks PoonDog

 

[Radpuppy]

Look up drone51 on YouTube
Russ explains new rules for recreational flyers very well in tutorial

 

[Radpuppy]

51 drones I meant lol
Not drone 51

 

[dave canada]

i,m glad i have nothing but open space to fly at my leisure where ever what ever

 

[tcope]

Personally, I have no idea why he CBO thing was kept in the new law. It never made much sense. The only thing I can think of was that it was a way for "some" organizations (might contains the letters A, M and another A) to increase their revenue.

The FAA needs to rely on independent organization's rules to make drone flight safe? The FAA's rules are incomplete?

Plus, this is simply another example of how a simple hobby is made so confusing that 99% of the people flying drones won't stand a chance of complying.