CARs News Release

RE: Published Draft of Regulations Amending the Canadian Aviation Regulations (Unmanned Aircraft Systems)

On July 15, 2017 Transport Canada published the expected first draft of proposed changes to the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) related to all Unmanned Aircraft under 25kgs and operated within “Visual Line of Sight” (VLOS) of the pilot. (link below)

http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2017/2017-07-15/html/reg2-eng.php

As noted in previous news and information releases, these legislative changes will have a direct impact on recreational model aviation in Canada. MAAC has been working closely with Transport Canada to ensure our members and their clubs are not adversely impacted by these changes.

To that end, the Board of Directors is very pleased to report that within the published text, Transport Canada recognizes our association’s history, structure and safety culture and clearly states their intention to provide MAAC and its members with an exemption from this legislation. As you will note in the published excerpt below, it is also clear that MAAC will be continuing our work with Transport Canada as criteria for new emerging associations is developed from our association’s template.

“MAAC has a long history of a safety culture, provides continued mentoring and guidance and has insurance for its members. It is Transport Canada’s intent to develop criteria for new emerging model associations that can provide to their members the same mentoring as MAAC does. The proposed Regulations would apply to MAAC members until such time as these criteria are developed and further amendments are introduced to carve out those associations. Until the Regulations can be modified to address new and emerging aero-modelling associations, Transport Canada would issue an exemption to MAAC members to the proposed requirements, so as to not negatively impact this sector of the industry.”

As required by the federal legislative process, after this initial publication, there is a 90 day “comment period” where formal comments/concerns are solicited by Transport Canada. Comments will then be reviewed, considered and appropriate changes made to the original draft before being published a second time in the Canada Gazette and enacted into law.

The MAAC Transport Canada committee along with the board of Directors and their subject matter experts will review the pending legislation in depth in the coming weeks and determine is formal comment from MAAC is necessary. Our members will be kept up to date on these matters as required.

Until this process is completed and enacted into law, the Interim Order relating to model aircraft initially issued by the Minister of Transport on March 20^th, since updated on June 16^th, remains in effect for all recreational modellers. MAAC members flying at sanctioned fields and events are exempt from the restrictions of that interim order. (link below)

https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/mediaroom/interim-order-respecting-use-model-aircraft.html

The MAAC Board of Directors applauds our member’s safety record and wish to emphasise that your diligence has never been more important. Please fly safe and smart this season while continuing to mentor and promote fun and safety in this tremendous hobby. Thank you all.

Joel Clarkson Memorial Scale RC Flying Meet !!!

Just a reminder that this Sunday July 23 / 2017 is the annual Joel Clarkson Memorial Scale RC Flying Meet starting at 10:00 am at our newly enlarged RCAA Comox Valley field !!

The Joel Clarkson Trophy will be awarded to the "pilots choose" for the best Scale Aircraft ( or close to Scale ) and flying performance ( no 3D ) combined !!!!

So pack a lunch ( we have a BBQ there ) and your best "Scale Aircraft" and come on down or up for a FUN day of flying and fellowship at RCAA Comox Valley !!!!!

Note: there is a $5.00 entry fee for each aircraft you wish to enter ( no limit ) !!!

Wings and Wheels Show at Sealand Aviation

This Sunday July 16th 2017 is the 4th annual "TEENFLIGHTS"  Fund Raiser , Wings and Wheels Show at Sealand Aviation next to / across from the Campbell River Airport from 9:00 am until about 3:00 pm ( but come early ) !!!

It is a Great "FREE" fly in / drive in show with T-shirts , food , plane rides in a B-25 bomber for sale plus much , much more !!

So if you time on Sunday the 16th can come on out and have fun !!!!

Indoor Flying Septmenber?

Anyone interested please email Ryan (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Important Notice!

AGM delayed till Sunday, same time and place, due to inclement weather predicted for tomorrow!

Yearly AGM, April 29, 2017

Hello Everyone

As the old cliché goes, it seems like yesterday we were doing this very thing.

This is a notice to the CRAFS membership that we will hold our second Annual General Meeting on April 29, 2017 at the CRAFS Cranberry flying field at 1100. This will be held rain or shine but let's all hope for the shine part to happen. Our yearly dues will also be collected. Bring something to fly afterwards as well, weather permitting.

Once again we will be asking for nominations for the Executive positions. President, Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer positions are up. Nominations will close on April 27th.  Please submit said nominations to myself, Frank or Peter Wood. Also if you have a subject or question you would like to discuss could you please let myself, Frank or Peter know so we can add it to the meeting Agenda.

During the meeting we will be calling for a volunteer work party sometime in June when the weather gets a little better to rebuild the sun shade lean-to that was destroyed this last winter by the snowfall that we had.

That's about all for now so happy flying in the season to come and see you all on April 29th at 1100.

Cheers