Bricks
Legendary member
There are waivers that you can apply for thru AMA if you want to be totally legal. There are many 1/4 scale and up that are way over 55 pounds being flown.
anyone know the biggest rc plane you can make without a license?
- Thread starter PlaneBuilderFlierCrasher
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Bricks
Legendary member
It is for flying in FREA fields you mean to tell me your field does not have large scale planes over 50lbs? Go on YouTube many videos of large RC aircraft try Flying Giants forum, not near as busy as it used to be.
Houndpup Rc
Master member
Yeah thats what it sounded like.
Houndpup Rc
Master member
Not all people follow the laws..... go on youtube and you can find all sorts of airframes which are to heavy and drone that are faster than 100mph ect.
There is not a hard 55lb limit on hobby-RC planes, that's precisely why the AMA has safety guidelines to help people build and fly large models safely.
The only FAA requirement for RC-hobbyists, NOT operating for profit, is that they operate in accordance with the safety guidelines of a Community Based Organization.
The Flite Test Community Association (FTCA) is also a CBO, and if you fly in accordance with the FTCA Guidelines, you are following the law. No need to both with anything AMA related.
RemoteID is separate from any CBO requirements.
So if you fly at a FRIA and are a member of the FTCA (and fly according to their guidelines), you don't need a RID module and you can fly over 55lbs legally, so long as you are NOT operating commercially (that would make you NOT a hobbyist).
If I might offer a differing opinion on the over 55lb issue.
The AMA has a large model aircraft program that is used to help models over 55lbs be safer. This program for LMA-1 (over 55lbs) and LMA-2 (over 77lbs to 125 lbs) is considered as part of the AMA CBO safety programming and the FAA allows compliant AMA members to fly aircraft over 55 lbs under this safety programming.
There are no large model aircraft rules tied to a FRIA, so they could be flown at any non FRIA site with an RID as well as at a FRIA without RID.
If FTCA does not have a similar program, I doubt that you can operate large and heavy models over 55 lbs under the FTCA safety programming.
The AMA has a large model aircraft program that is used to help models over 55lbs be safer. This program for LMA-1 (over 55lbs) and LMA-2 (over 77lbs to 125 lbs) is considered as part of the AMA CBO safety programming and the FAA allows compliant AMA members to fly aircraft over 55 lbs under this safety programming.
There are no large model aircraft rules tied to a FRIA, so they could be flown at any non FRIA site with an RID as well as at a FRIA without RID.
If FTCA does not have a similar program, I doubt that you can operate large and heavy models over 55 lbs under the FTCA safety programming.
DaveM
FPVFC President and CEO
The FAA Does indeed have a 55 lb limit in regulations. The small UAS which includes RC airplanes has a weight range from 0.55 to 55 lbs.
Piotrsko
Master member
While local organizations ranging from HOA's to city councils may append Faa regs otherwise, @DaveM is correct. Myself, I would worry more about the Feds, since they get all excited about penitentiary incarceration that city councils cant access. From what I have heard a city jail is a luxury hotel compaired to fed incarceration.
That is the limit, UNLESS you are operating under the programming of an approved CBO that has a system that has additional criteria for the safe recreational operation of large model aircraft, as the AMA does.
Other CBOs could set up similar programs if they wanted to.
As was stated by "Thomas B", this is a general limit does NOT apply if the Recreational Flyer is operating under the limitations of a CBO and from a fixed site: "Recreational flyers operating UAS weighing more than 55 pounds may operate in compliance with standards and limitations developed by a CBO and from fixed sites, which are described in subparagraph 11-4-1c1, Fixed Sites."
It only mentions "operating in compliance with standards and limitations developed by a CBO and from fixed sites". There are no other FAA-driven weight classes or weight requirements mentioned, other than in Section-2: It mentions the 0.55lb lower limit for registration: "Recreational UAS weighing more than .55 lbs must be registered."
The AMA has specific weight-classes defined and different rules for each class - this is where the "magic 55lb" number originally came from. The FTCA does not have specifically-defined weight classes, however the plain reading of the FAA's regulations does not specify or favor one CBO's methods over another.
I stand corrected however, on reading and interpreting the FTCA's own safety guidelines - they indeed have no specifications for anything "over 55lbs". So currently, under one interpretation, one could not operate over 55lbs "under the guidelines of the FTCA", because they have none. I see this as a problem and a deficiency and I would like to see it rectified, and am willing to advise on this solution if anyone is listening.
Source: https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aim_html/chap11_section_1.html
Full text of 49 USC 44809: https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml...lim-title49-section44809&num=0&edition=prelim
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This might be a good topic to raise to the FTCA while at FliteFest '25....
DaveM
FPVFC President and CEO
Jetman, I suggest you may not fly over 55 lbs under the FTCA safety guidelines. The Recreational exception 44809 is an exception of part 107. Part 107 covers small UAS. Small UAS are defined by 14 CFR section 107.3 as weighing less than 55 pounds. Note: I'm the President and CEO of FPV Freedom Coalition, one of the four FAA recognized CBO's. I am a member of FTCA and the AMA. Dave Messina
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.
(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.
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.
Federal Register :: Request Access
www.ecfr.gov
Federal Register :: Request Access
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.
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