model airplane can be built and fl own for hobby purposes, but
the operator must maintain constant line of sight (LOS) with
the model at all times.
Mechanical and aerospace engineering students at North Car-
olina State University (NCSU) have built a UAV airframe with a
wingspan of 10 feet, empty weight of 19 pounds, and a maximum
weight of 55 pounds. Endurance is 75 minutes, and loiter speed
is 37 knots. It has an autopilot and laser altimeter. At the annual
competition held in Webster Field, Maryland, it must autono-
mously take of , fl y a search pattern up to 5 miles from the airport,
fi nd a lost hiker (dummy in a lawn chair), drop a water bottle,
and return to the airport. Ground observers stationed along the
route maintain constant LOS even though the UAV is operating
autonomously. Participants operate under a certifi cate of autho-
rization (COA) from the FAA because the controlling pilot does
not have visual contact throughout the course. The NCSU club
competed against 33 teams at the 2013 event and won second
place. Here is the
course description at the Student Unmanned
Air Systems Contest. EAA issued this
policy statement on UAVs in
May of 2013. Commercial-use UAVs are distinct from hobby air-
planes. They will require coordination and approval through the
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Of ce, AFS-80, which
also monitors issues related to hobby aircraft operations.
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh typically includes model aviation
activities sponsored by the AMA, and more is planned; but there
is usually also some unof cial fl ying of small electric models and
quad copters in the campground areas. The law signed in 2012
requires prior notifi cation when fl ying within 5 miles of an air-
port, and fl ights such as this one in 2013 would likely be refused.
If you're still not sold on model aviation, please try this
YouTube
search for E-Fest 2014
and "catch the bug."
Please send your comments and suggestions to
dgrunloh@illicom.net .
Dan Grunloh, EAA 173888, is a retired scientist who began fl ying
ultralights and light planes in 1982. He won the 2002 and 2004 U.S.
National Microlight Championships in a trike and fl ew with the U.S.
World Team in two FAI World Microlight Championships.
EAA Experimenter 35 Photography courtesy of Dan Grunloh
Kids build their fi rst model with help from volunteers.
This tiny foam model is reminiscent of the Sky Pup ultralight from 1983.
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