Useful AMA Docs

the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) maintains an extensive document library on their site (modelaircraft.org) that covers flying site development, safety management, club setup, and specialized operations.

Here are some of the most useful safety, layout, and operational documents available on the AMA site:

  1. Flying Site Development & Management

    • Document 706 — Flying Site Development Guide: A comprehensive manual covering site acquisition, field layout planning, noise management, negotiations with municipal or private landowners, and environmental considerations.
    • Document 106 — AMA Flying Site Owner Boot Camp / Flying Site Layouts: Offers diagrams and guidelines tailored to different aircraft disciplines (pylon racing, control line, fixed-wing, and rotary-wing).
    • Document 709 — AMA Park Pilot Program Site Manual: Geared toward smaller venues (parks, school grounds, sports fields). It outlines buffer zones and spatial requirements for electric or park-flyer aircraft weighing under 2 lbs.

  2. Operational & Safety Regulations

    • Document 105 — AMA National Model Aircraft Safety Code: The core foundational safety document. It outlines mandatory standoff distances, overflight restrictions regarding spectators/structures, and general flight line rules.
    • Document 540-D — See and Avoid Guidance: Details proper spotter practices, visual line-of-sight maintenance, and protocol for yielding right-of-way to manned aircraft in the National Airspace System.
    • Document 510-A through 510-S — Gas Turbine Program Guidelines: Safety codes, site setback distances (often requiring larger setbacks than standard glow/electric fields), and waiver qualifications for jet turbine aircraft.
    • Document 600 — Requirements for RC Operation at Full-Scale Airshows: Details flight box setup, spectator setbacks (e.g., 250 ft to 500 ft minimums depending on aircraft size), and flight line safety rules for public events.

  3. Club Administration & Land Owner Relations

    • Document 505-I & 505-J — Club Bylaws & Nonprofit Structure Guidelines: Templates and advice for forming non-profit RC clubs, establishing officer structures, and managing member flight rules.
    • Document 306 — Application for Insuring Flying Site Owners: Information on how clubs can utilize AMA’s primary liability insurance to protect public or private property owners who host an RC field.
How to Access Them: https://www.rcflightpath.com/articles/AMA_Docs/AMA_Document_Repository.html