It may have been news to hobbyists that model airplanes are considered unmanned aircraft (i.e., drones) and therefore subject to Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) regulation. Although the FAA did not have the regulatory personnel to enforce its authority routinely, Advisory Circular 91-57, issued in 1981, established that the FAA had jurisdiction of model aircraft operation, including the authority to take action for operations that are careless or reckless. Through several judicial decisions in 2014, the FAA’s authority to regulate the flight of model aircraft was confirmed.
model airplane hobbyists were either unaware of or confused by the regulatory environment, although they faced possible criminal or civil liability. In early September, a Brooklyn public school teacher crashed a drone into the stands at the U.S. Open Tournament and now faces criminal charges as a consequence. Anecdotally, as drones are becoming more affordable and better, the number of incidents and near misses has skyrocketed. The FAA moved to address the situation.model airplane hobbyists were either unaware of or confused by the regulatory environment, although they faced possible criminal or civil liability. In early September, a Brooklyn public school teacher crashed a drone into the stands at the U.S. Open Tournament and now faces criminal charges as a consequence. Anecdotally, as drones are becoming more affordable and better, the number of incidents and near misses has skyrocketed. The FAA moved to address the situation.
On September 2, 2015, the FAA cancelled Advisory Circular 91-57 and issued a replacement Advisory Circular 9157A, updating its guidance. The
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