What is the future of the FTCA

[MacClarkNC]

It feels like the FAA has destroyed the hobby for the casual participant like me. Flitetest enabled me to get into this hobby, flying in agriculture fields and the FAA took all the motivation away. I am sure parents are less motivated to support this when their kids find it since dyi makes it affordable yet difficult to build outside the restricted limits with foam board. I have some possibly misguided anger at rogue drone pilots.

 

[tamuct01]

It feels like the FAA has destroyed the hobby for the casual participant like me. Flitetest enabled me to get into this hobby, flying in agriculture fields and the FAA took all the motivation away. I am sure parents are less motivated to support this when their kids find it since dyi makes it affordable yet difficult to build outside the restricted limits with foam board. I have some possibly misguided anger at rogue drone pilots.

I understand your sentiment. The FAA is an awful group and hopefully, we'll see more action against them with the overturning of Chevron Deference.

However, I've been flying silly airplanes for 10+ years now, and not once has the FAA's shenanigans done anything to curb my activities. I did initially register, but I let that lapse. I fly at a club with FRIA status, but I also occasionally fly solo from a county park. I've had a sheriff come by and check out what I was doing, but he didn't ask for any paperwork and saw that I was operating safely. It's up to you personally whether you want to follow the FAA's rules, but it's been mostly business as usual for me. Don't get discouraged.

 

[Draftman1]

They have said in a post on the forum that John has moved on, and they are working on a deal with him to be able to release the MS plans via FTCA.
I'm not aware of anything that's "up in the air". (good pun btw!)
They did just add a new 200% DR1 XL kit to the store.
SPONZ has been working on at least 4 sets of plans to be available on the FTCA Portal.

Yes, we all know about John deciding to move on, but was there anything official said from FT? No, mainly second hand
FT could have said, “ The master series will be on hold, the designer decided to move on, we will do what we can to hopefully reset the series”
That’s all they had to say, Rather than just be silent, and keep people wondering about it.
Nothing about Lee, we don’t need to know why but an official word about it, I liked Lee, I like what he had to offer.
It’s things like that, transparency.
We wouldn’t have known about Dave until you posted something.
A company spokesperson would be a good thing, weather it’s Josh, somebody else or even airforge.
This is a big family, transparency goes along ways with the members of this family.
That’s not too much to ask from them

 

[AIRFORGE]

But in general, there has been a significant reduction in communication. There are the (mostly) weekly videos, and maybe more on Facebook/tiktok that I wouldn’t know about, but we don’t really hear anything about what’s going on anymore.

Agreed. That's been happening for at least a couple of years, too.

 

[alan0043]

Hi Everyone,

Maybe the FTCA should re-post their Mission Statement again. That could be a good re-starting place. Just thinking out loud. What would you folks like to see the FTCA do at first ? I understand about transparency and communication. I don't believe there is anyone in place right now guiding or in charge of the FTCA.

 

[Piotrsko]

I will make it simpler: somebody admit to being in charge, then stay around for a bit to get a conversation going. Bonus points for durations of longer than a week. Super bonus points for longer duration

 

[Merv]

...What would you folks like to see the FTCA do at first ?...

I would like to see them offer liability insurance, similar to the AMA.
They spoke about it at one time, but nothing was ever offered.

 

[Foamforce]

I think just offering FRIAs is a huge benefit. My flying field wouldn’t have a FRIA and I would be flying illegally if it weren’t for the FTCA. If they narrowed their mission to just that, it would be worth it to me.

Regarding insurance and FliteTest’s role in that, it would be wonderful if they could advocate to insurance companies to add RC flight coverage to homeowners insurance policies. That would certainly be cheaper than getting AMA membership just for the insurance. If we could also somehow convince all the local fun fly events to accept proof of coverage from insurance companies rather than requiring AMA membership, that would be fantastic. That said, it’s a lot of work, and I’m happy to just have a FRIA!

Lastly, I get the sense that FliteTest is stretched too thin, both in terms of time and in branding. It’s confusing that FTCA is a different entity than FliteTest and that the store is yet another site. Consolidating those might make their branding a bit better and maybe save some time and money for them.

Also, I don’t know what I’m talking about, and I appreciate what they do. 🙂

 

[bisco]

is it the new ama regulations taking up all of their time?

 

[Piotrsko]

Don't know the exact specifics, but if you have ever cleaned up an estate's house you will understand the amount of effort needed.

 

[fliers1]

Hi Everyone,

Curious minds need to know. What is the future of the FTCA. I am hoping that Dave M will have some input. I believe that I am not the only one that is curious about this question. I hope more people will chime in about their concerns. The monthly FTCA news letter has not had any info to share. Is the FTCA going to fold up ? What do you guys think ? What are your concerns ? Please post your thoughts. We need to let Dave M know that the FTCA members have some concerns.

All input is welcomed,

Not that anyone here wants to hear it and chances are I will get flamed for it, but the hobby/sport in general is not doing too well. All modeling organizations, like AMA and MAAC, are financially on the ropes. The hobby needs a boost and I can't see it happening considering the way these organizations are run I offered a proven means for mass and rapid growth and always get ignored or flamed. Fite test may be doing pretty well, but as far as the big picture goes, this hobby/sport is on borrowed time. No? Hobby shops are few and far between. Can't find balsa kits are getting harder and harder to find. In Canada, they're losing flying fields and members. because of government regulations, and so it goes with AMA, UK, Australia, and Europe. All of this does help FTCA though.

 

[AIRFORGE]

is it the new ama regulations taking up all of their time?

I'm not an AMA member and I'm curious what the new regulations are. Are they good/bad?

 

[bisco]

I'm not an AMA member and I'm curious what the new regulations are. Are they good/bad?

dunno, depends on your point of view i guess. not a member either

goverment-regulations-faq

index.php

i fly at local fields and ignore the static

 

[Draftman1]

Crickets

 

[bisco]

beatles

 

[Mr NCT]

Japanese beetles, very colorful

 

[Mr NCT]

English beatles, also very colorful

 

[LitterBug]

I wrote a brief email to Flite Test asking about the lack of info from the FTCA and got a brief reply back from Jen stating the following:

Hello Karl. We do apologize for the delay. We are working on restructuring things here. We will send out a letter as soon as it is finished. Again, we are sorry for this.

I hope to get up to Edgewater some time this fall. Sometimes the FT folks are out and about and I'll ask again then if we have not heard anything more.

LitterBug

 

[LitterBug]

 

[Mid7night]

Lastly, I get the sense that FliteTest is stretched too thin, both in terms of time and in branding. It’s confusing that FTCA is a different entity than FliteTest and that the store is yet another site. Consolidating those might make their branding a bit better and maybe save some time and money for them.

Flite Test is stretched incredibly thin for the breadth of what they have their hands in, additionally they are currently undergoing "personnel adjustments" which may or may not be visible to the viewing public. i.e. Grace is requested and helpful.

As for the insurance topic ... I think FT should stay as far away from that as possible. Being an FAA officially recognized CBO is all we need as hobbyists. Personal responsibility for our flying operations is the best way to ensure safe and fun flying for all.