Most AMA members, and those involved in the aeromodeling hobby know that the FAA has been working on a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) for small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) for several years. Although the AMA is very committed to continuous safety within the hobby, we are also committed to our members, and the aeromodeling community. The AMA has been clear since day one that our goal is to work cooperatively with the FAA in ensuring model aircraft continue to operate safely in the National Airspace System (NAS) while also making sure the rules imposed do not keep aeromodelers from enjoying their sport.
In our efforts to safeguard the hobby the AMA sought Congressional support in developing legislation that would protect model aviation from burdensome regulation. AMA worked directly with the Congressional leadership and their staffs in developing a provision that recognizes community-based safety programming as a viable means for managing this activity while establishing the minimum criteria for the safe operation of model aircraft in the national airspace. Congress adopted this provision and recently passed it as part of the FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act, which will be signed very soon by President Obama.
We see this as a great step in the right direction. The AMA would like to thank everyone that was involved in drafting the bill, and that took the time to write, email or call their congressional leaders. Together, we have accomplished a great milestone. We have had an overwhelming amount of praise from our members, which we appreciate. Continuous member support is always a top priority for the AMA, and we appreciate all of your feedback and willingness to help us with this congressional campaign.
Here are just some of the comments we have received with the announcement of the bill:
- Thank you for all you have been doing to protect the sports flyers such as myself and thousands of others.
- That’s really great news. Thanks for all; the hard work by the AMA leadership to see that model aviation rights are preserved.
- This is excellent news, it does put the ball in our court, we have to be vigilant and not let anything stupid happen, we also have to be aware of any suspicious activity.
- Fantastic news, well done and thank you for all your hard work!
- Ref Congress helping us out…I can’t believe it!……….Thank you Bob Brown and everyone else that wrote to their Senator and Congressman.
- Good. Too much Govt. Even in my hobby.
- Thank you for this Great News! Let us all dedicate ourselves to the safe enjoyment of our hobby so that we never create any excuse for government regulation. I want to pass along a very sincere “Thank You” to the AMA and to everyone who participated in working with the FAA to represent all of us who love model airplanes. The Academy went to bat for us, and I appreciate it more than I can say.
- Score one for us. Thank you so much for all you have done. This issue did scare the heck out of me.
- Fantastic! Great job from the AMA! Thanks to all of you who kept an eye on this one and brought the issue home, safe and sound.
- That is great news on the exemption for aeromodeling bill! Please extend my thanks to the AMA officers and staff! Job extremely well done to all!
- My grandson and I spend a LOT of quality time together building and flying (he is a junior member) – I also have a LOT of money invested in airplanes, engines, etc. – so I’m VERY concerned.
- From a Marine I give all of you my highest compliment, Y’all would make Gyrenes. I was worried about even more Big Bother intrusion into this fine hobby. Being a RC soarer and Sport flier I figured the govt. would intrude in everything else now too. It seems there might be an awareness in D.C. of the 99% that just want to live and play in peace within the Safety Code (that goes without saying doesn’t it). Akin to the boot camp adage to do the right thing even when you know no one is watching. thanks again
- This is AWESOME NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Best Regards
We thank you for your excitement, and hope you will continue to help us fight for you! Please continue to visit the AMA government relations page for updates and information on how you can show your support.
Strength in numbers is the key. Good job, AMA and gov relations team!
This political result illustrates why we need the AMA.
Thanks for a job well done.
I really appreciate saving my hobby of 45+ years. When they came out with all these proposed regulations, I was ready to burn my models and get right out of the hobby entirely. I never want to be into any hobby where the Feds are involved. I do not need a potential prosecution at the Federal Level because I went too high or too fast. Governmental regulations has no place in a hobby such as this. We fly, we build, we meet to converse and have fun. We police ourselves, and no government regulations are needed. In the 45+ years, I have never damaged any property except my model and I have never hit anyone, nor filed a claim with AMA on the insurance coverage. The fact that our liability protection has such high limits of coverage and so cheap is because we do not pose any threat to others or property because we have the AMA Suggested Guidelines to keep us all safe at the field. Thank you AMA and everyone who wrote in to the FAA on the Proposed Rule-making. Keep sending your comments, as strength is in numbers. Even though you may not be a RC Flyer, there are many that enjoy watching us fly. Your strength by your positive comments to the FAA serves to help everyone of us AMA Members remain free from Federal Regulations and as a result your saving our hobby. Personally, if there were ever a set of Federal Regulations governing my RC Model Airplane flying, I would no longer be in the hobby. US businesses would perish, and there has been enough of that already with tough economic times and foreign competition. There are a few small companies that manufacturer nice models and I patronize them first. Thank you everyone. 🙂