Is the FAA coming?

SMAC members have recently heard a rumor that an RC flying club in California was inspected by FAA and shutdown after it was found that members had not complied with the law. Is this going to happen here? Is FAA making systematic inspections of our hobby flying fields?

NO. They are not.

Here are the facts:

- RC hobbyists DO need to register with FAA and take the TRUST test online. It's cheap, and it's easy.

- We need to label all of our aircraft with our FAA registration number...just like we have always been required to do with our AMA number since...forever. If you haven't already, stick your FAA number on your planes. There are club members that can cut you nice vinyl stickers and companies online that do the same for a fee.

- To the best of AMA's knowledge, no flying club has been spot-checked by FAA employees. If they had, it would have been at least local, if not national news.

As with most rumors, there's no evidence to back this claim up. Even if FAA is spot-checking clubs, compliance is simple and easy. So, if you are worried about being busted by the FAA, comply with the law: register, take the TRUST test, and label your aircraft.