Source: http://www.modelaviationdigital.com/modelaviation/december_2015?pg=17
Timestamp: 2019-01-19 19:01:02
Document Index: 561393880

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 15', 'art 97', 'art 15', 'art 15', 'art 15', 'art 15', 'art 15', 'art 15', 'art 97', 'art 15', 'art 97']

The Academy of Model Aeronautics recently welcomed Life Members Michael J. Stevens, Ridgecrest CA; Ryan A.
Kahn, Middleton ID; Brian D. Callahan, Huntington Beach CA; Dag Roppe, Mabel MN; Brendan Schulman, Short Hills NJ; Brian Rozell, Queensbury NY; Richard Blanke, Pavilion NY; Alan S. Carey, Lady Lake FL; Robert G.
Dedrick, Parma OH; Mark Homer, Oregon OH; Frederick Maier, Akron NY; Ron McGrath, North Chili NY; Charles Freeland, Orlando FL; Todd Forshee, Apple Valley CA;
Robert Lafayette, Toledo OH; Steven S. Graham, Denver CO; Robert C. Gialdini, Wauwatosa WI; Murray Steinberg, Edinboro PA; Dub Jett, Houston TX; Jerry Rocha, Napa CA; Jay Gerber, Warrington PA; Jesse F. Shepherd, Euless TX; F.B. Baker, Madison WI; Fred Mulholland, Tampa FL;
Phil Cartier, Hummelstown PA; Erik Swanberg, Yorkville IL; James Morris, Lawrence KS; Steve Candiloro, East Northport NY; Nathan Wood, North Las Vegas NV; Guy Guerra, Naples FL; Anthony Sperb, Gurnee IL; Russell Doll, Ravensdale WA; Anthony Romano, Ossining NY;
Conrad Huffstutler, Uvalde TX; Scott Bohemann, Des Moines IA; Mark Slayton, Bremerton WA; Mark Stout, Pleasant Hill MO; Jeff Blair, Highland MI; Nicholas Wittman, Hazelton ID; Troy Schank, Groesbeck TX; Eric Lunos, Wahpeton ND; Michael J. Miller, Gig Harbor WA; and John Hayden, Markleville IN.
Although many model aircraft pilots know of the FAA’s regulation of model aircraft flights, some are unaware that the FCC also regulates the operation of wireless radio transmitters used to control model aircraft and transmit video images during flight.
Under the FCC’s rules, model aircraft operations generally fall into two categories: • License-exempt operation under Part 15 of the FCC’s rules (Radio Frequency Devices). A license is not required.
• Amateur radio operations under Part 97 of the FCC’s rules (Amateur Radio Service). Individual operators are required to hold an appropriate license.
Most radios included within model aircraft control systems are certified by the equipment manufacturer or vendor for low-powered, license-exempt operations on frequency bands authorized under Part 15. On the other hand, because of power restrictions, few FPV video systems are certified for unlicensed use under Part 15 and can be operated only with an Amateur Radio License as described in the following.
License-Exempt Operation (Part 15)
Model aircraft devices and other transmitting equipment, operated without a license under Part 15 of the FCC’s rules, must be certified for compliance with certain technical standards designed to limit interference to other devices. The standards differ for analog and digital devices, between frequency bands, and depending on the type of attached antenna.
Technical certification is accomplished by the equipment manufacturer or vendor. Users are unlikely to be able to determine independently whether a device is Part 15-compliant by evaluating power limits or other operating parameters.
Instead, users can take the following steps to confirm a device is authorized under Part 15: • Identify the FCC ID number shown on the device.
• Use the ID number to locate the device’s certification record in the FCC’s database search at https://apps.fcc.gov/ oetcf/eas/reports/ GenericSearch.cfm.
• Click on the “Display Grant” link.
• Confirm that the frequency and output power (in watts) matches the parameters for the device the user intends to operate.
If these steps can be successfully completed, the device can be operated without an FCC license.
Licensed Operation for FPV (Part 97) FPV devices typically require more output power than is authorized in Part 15 of the FCC’s rules and, as a result, are not certified for unlicensed operations. These items will not have an FCC ID number on them, and can only be operated in certain bands under the authority of an Amateur Radio License issued by the FCC pursuant to Part 97 of the rules. The FCC issues three classes of Amateur Radio Licenses: Technician, General, and Amateur Extra. The lowest-level license, Technician Class, is sufficient to authorize FPV use. Applicants must pass a 35-question test in order to receive a Technician FCC Requirements for Model Aircraft Operations
13 Model Aviation DECEMBER 2015 www.ModelAviation.com