I want to add further thought and clarification. I originally said "under the strict reading", but that is not really accurate, it is merely "one interpretation", so I edited my comment above.
I want to highlight the pertinent sections of each text below and give you another interpretation.
I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice. Also to be clear; my Youtube videos are not monetized.
The full FTCA Safety Guidelines can be found here:
https://ftca.flitetest.com/safety-guidelines/
The only section that references weight is:
"Operation of recreational model aircraft (sUAS) must be done in compliance with 14 CFR Part 48.
Any recreational operator of a model aircraft between .55 pounds (250 grams) and 55 pounds (25 kilograms) must be registered with the FAA per the FAA sUAS Registration, and the registration number must be present on the outside of your aircraft. Register at https://faadronezone.faa.gov/.
Take TRUST (Pilot Institute TRUST Online or The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) | Federal Aviation Administration (faa.gov)."
This is merely a registration reference with information about how to properly register your sUAS with the FAA, and points you to 14 CFR Part 48.
14 CFR Part 48 actually does NOT mention "55lbs" as an upper-bound for registration. It only specifies 0.55lbs as a "lower bound" manner, essentially saying that all RC aircraft must be registered unless they weigh LESS than 0.55lbs.
www.ecfr.gov
"§ 48.15 Requirement to register.
No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft that is eligible for registration under 49 U.S.C. 44101-44103 unless one of the following criteria has been satisfied:
(a) The owner has registered and marked the aircraft in accordance with this part;
(b) The aircraft is operated exclusively in compliance with 49 U.S.C. 44809 and weighs 0.55 pounds or less on takeoff, including everything that is on board or otherwise attached to the aircraft; or
(c) The aircraft is an aircraft of the Armed Forces of the United States."
The "55lb" upper limit comes from 14 CFR Part 107, defining "Small unmanned aircraft":
"Small unmanned aircraft
means an unmanned aircraft weighing less than 55 pounds on takeoff, including everything that is on board or otherwise attached to the aircraft."
The exception to flying over 55lbs is in 49 USC 44809, which is also the general "recreational hobbyist" exception:
full text:
https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml...lim-title49-section44809&num=0&edition=prelim
From 49 USC 44809 (subsection (c)(3)(A):
"(3) Unmanned aircraft weighing 55 pounds or greater.-A person may operate an unmanned aircraft weighing 55 pounds or greater, including the weight of anything attached to or carried by the aircraft, if-
(A) the unmanned aircraft complies with standards and limitations developed by a community-based organization and approved by the Administrator; and
(B) the aircraft is operated from a fixed site as described in paragraph (1)."
Note that this sub-section has everything to do with the
aircraft itself, NOT the hobbyist/operator. Note also that it does not specify that one "be a member" of the CBO who's standards and limitations are being complied with.
Boiling this down:
The FTCA Safety Guidelines do not mention any prohibition on aircraft weighing more than 55lbs. The reference to "between 0.55 and 55lbs" reads exactly:
"model aircraft between .55 pounds (250 grams) and 55 pounds (25 kilograms) must be registered with the FAA per the FAA sUAS Registration", and specifically calls out 14 CFR Part 48 (which, remember, does
not actually say anything about "55lbs").
The plain text of 49 USC 44809 states that models weighing more than 55lbs MAY be operated so long as
the model complies with the standards and limitations of an approved CBO. The regulation does
not specify WHAT the standards must be within the CBO - nor does it specify that the standards have anything to do with weight whatsoever - only that the standards must be approved by the Administrator (FAA), and that
the aircraft complies with them.
The FTCA is an FAA-approved CBO and the FTCA Safety Guidelines have been approved by the Administrator.
Thus one may conclude that so long as one operates as a hobbyist for recreational purposes and their model aircraft complies with the current standards and limitations of the FTCA, one may operate that model aircraft. Period.