Flying JBER

by Airman 1st Class Tammie Ramsouer
673d ABW Public Affairs

2/18/2015 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHRADSON, Alaska --
Light breezes flow, as the sounds of a motor makes for mechanical music in the air. A Hobbico NexSTAR remote-controlled airplane flies past its controller -- a rookie learning how to fly for the first time.

Though the hobbyist in question may be new to the RC world, members of the Alaska Radio Control Society have been flying RC aircraft (also known as remotely piloted aircraft) for more than 45 years.

The society uses basic models like the NexSTAR to train and educate new members in the basics of flying RPAs.

ARCS is the largest and oldest radio control model club in Alaska and was established in 1957.

Armand Marshall, ARCS treasurer, said the organization has about 60 members.

The society's membership includes civilians, retirees and all branches of the military.

"Some of our members have one-fourth, 30-percent and 40-percent scale compared to real aircraft," said Edward Cunningham, ARCS member and RPA flier. "We fly anything from combustion engines and battery-powered engines to silent flight where there is no engine at all."

Society members are required to adhere to certain restrictions when they fly their RPAs. The aircraft can weigh at or less than 55 pounds in compliance with the Federal Aviation Administration's Code of Federal Regulations 14, Part 19.

Every member is required to have insurance when they own and fly an RPA of any kind.

"The Academy of Modeling Aeronautics insures us and they also set the guidelines for when we fly," Armand said. "The insurance covers any accidents that happen when we fly, such as an RPA damaging personal property or a personal injury."

The AMA also offers its chartered clubs official contest sanction as well as assistance in acquiring and keeping flying sites.

When the members fly at their approved outdoor sites, such as Groeschel flying site in Wasilla, and Storck Park flying field in Anchorage, they must adhere to FAA regulations.

"We can operate our RPA up to a 400 feet ceiling height and line-of-sight distance," Armand said. "Line-of-sight distance would be about 600 to 750 feet. We go by these regulations from the AMA, because they adhere to FAA regulations of RPAs."

During the winter and school year, the members fly their planes indoors at Teeland Middle School gymnasium in Wasilla and Lumen Christi High School gymnasium in Anchorage. Members flying RPAs indoors must have AMA insurance, and their RPA can only be electric powered and weigh at or less than 16 ounces.

Regulations on JBER at the Elmendorf Field, located off Richardson Drive, are more strict than off the installation.

"If our members fly at Elmendorf field, they are required to inform base operations they will be flying their RPA," Armand said.

All fliers must adhere to the current JBER 3rd Wing Instruction 13-204, Airfield Air Traffic Control Procedures. The instruction specifies fliers can only operate during daylight hours RPAs must remain below a 300-foot ceiling and must not interfere with normal operating aircraft on base.

According to Airfield Safety, recreational or hobbyist RPA flying doesn't require FAA approval, but individuals should follow safety guidelines to ensure the safety of people, property and other aircraft.

According to J.R. Hackett, 673d Security Forces Squadron antiterrorism program manager, if someone observes an RPA operating on JBER in a location other than the RC flying field, they should consider it a suspicious activity and immediately report it to the JBER Arctic Watch hotlines at 552-4444 or 552-2256.