[asynchronous13]

> Calling the local tower/airport as a hobbyist is a bad idea.

Yet, that is what the FAA says to do.

Friends in the local flying club are really trying to obey all the rules, and call the tower because they are ~4 miles away from the airport. At first, the people at the local tower were just annoyed by the phone calls and would say, "I don't care if you're flying a toy 4 miles away. Why are you calling?" Now that the new rules are more known, the person who answers is very quick and courteous, "Where are you? Stay under 400, have fun."

[arnarbi]

They can get a letter of agreement from the tower that says they don't have to call every time. Then they can be legal without annoying ATC.