Academy of Model Aeronautics

5161 East Memorial Drive Muncie, Indiana 47302 

(800) 435-9262 – Membership Services 

www.modelaircraft.org

Academy of Model Aeronautics 5161 East Memorial Drive Muncie, Indiana 47302

(800) 435-9262 | Membership Services | www.modelaircraft.org

A. General:

“SEE AND AVOID” GUIDANCE

1. The primary means to avoid collisions between all aircraft flying within our National Airspace System

(NAS) is “See and Avoid.”

2. Vigilance must be maintained by each person operating an aircraft (whether model or manned) so as to

“see and avoid” other aircraft.

3. Model aircraft must avoid manned aircraft. Our privilege to fly model aircraft in the NAS depends on our

commitment to remain “well clear” of manned aircraft.

4. Simply avoiding an actual collision is not enough. A “near miss” is not acceptable.

5. Unless flying at a mixed---use site where manned and model aircraft routinely share airspace through 

their own site---specific rules, model aircraft must fly sufficiently far away from manned aircraft so as not to 

create a collision hazard.

6. Model aircraft flying must not only be safe, it must be perceived to be safe by the greater manned

aviation community. Modelers must continually demonstrate their respect for the safety of manned

aircraft by remaining vigilant and well clear.

7. Whenever a potential conflict arises between model aircraft and manned aircraft, the pilot of the model

aircraft must always give way to the manned aircraft.

8. The pilot of a model aircraft must never assume the pilot of a manned aircraft can see the= model or will

perform any maneuver to avoid the model’s flight path.

9. Visual Line of Sight is required by the Safety Code. It means that visual contact with the aircraft must be

maintained without enhancement other than by corrective lenses prescribed for the model aircraft pilot.

All RC flying must remain clear of clouds smoke or any other obstruction to the line of sight.

10. “Blue Sky” is a term used to explain the method used to increase separation between a model and a 

manned aircraft in the same vicinity. The modeler should maneuver the aircraft in such a way as to

increase the amount of blue sky perceived between the model and the manned aircraft. By increasing the

blue sky separation, the question about depth perception is taken out of the equation and the modeler

need not worry whether the model is closer to him than the manned aircraft or further away. Increasing

the blue sky between the model and the manned aircraft automatically increases separation between

them.
Academy of Model Aeronautics

5161 East Memorial Drive Muncie, Indiana 47302 

(800) 435-9262 – Membership Services 

www.modelaircraft.org

Academy of Model Aeronautics 5161 East Memorial Drive Muncie, Indiana 47302

(800) 435-9262 | Membership Services | www.modelaircraft.org

11. A modeler should never place any consideration for the well---being of the model aircraft above the 

safety of manned aircraft. Maneuvering to avoid the conflict may require that the model aircraft be 

sacrificed.

12. Free flight models should not be launched with relatively low altitude manned

aircraft in sight and downwind or headed downwind from the launch site.

B. Spotters:

1. Before a flight, the pilot must insure that the spotter understands his/her duties

and expectations.

2. A spotter should be used to assist in monitoring the surrounding airspace for manned aircraft whenever 

a flight is expected to exceed 400 feet above the ground and that operation is expected to be in proximity 

to known manned aircraft traffic such as at a mixed---use facility or within three miles of an airport. The 

spotter must have sufficient visual acuity and be mature enough to take this responsibility very seriously.

3. A spotter should also be prepared to assist his/her pilot in the event that another model aircraft or

spectators become endangered or in turn are perceived to be a danger to the pilot or the pilot’s model

aircraft.

4. If a model aircraft pilot experiences what he or she considers a near miss with a manned aircraft, that 

model aircraft pilot should notify AMA Headquarters with a written report of the incident, including action 

taken by the model aircraft pilot to avoid the manned aircraft. This report is intended to help the modeler, 

the club, and the AMA capture as much detail as possible so that it may be used to assist all parties in 

recalling the particulars of the incident at a later time. Call 1---800---435---9262 (1---800---IFLYAMA) extension 230 

or 251 for assistance with this report.