We wanted to share with you some of the projects the AMA Government Affairs team has been working on in recent weeks.
Members of our team have conducted numerous meetings each week with legislators and staff in D.C. to protect the Special Rule for Model Aircraft (Section 336) as the Senate prepares language for the FAA Reauthorization bill. Recent events in Washington, such as a Supreme Court justice confirmation, may affect the legislative calendar while other efforts take priority. The current FAA authorization expires the first of October, so we hope to see the Senate address FAA Reauthorization in upcoming weeks. Once a Senate bill is introduced, it and the House bill will go to a conference committee who will reintroduce a combined bill for a final vote.
In addition to our meetings on Capitol Hill, we have also met with the FAA, Department of Transportation, Department of Justice, and the Army Corps of Engineers to advocate on the behalf of our members. We will continue our work with Congress and other UAS stakeholders on a long-term reauthorization bill that will strengthen Section 336.
This past weekend, VIP NOTAM/TFRs once again grounded model aircraft flights in the Bedminster and Morristown, New Jersey area. The AMA Government Affairs team has been working with AMA leaders and local clubs impacted by the VIP TFRs and remain optimistic that our members may have relief soon. Restrictions on responsible members flying model aircraft more than ten miles away from the president are excessive. Of course, the safety of the president takes precedence, but we encourage the FAA and United State Secret Service to finalize a waiver process for AMA clubs flying within the outer limits of the TFR.
As always, we will continue our work to educate state and local legislators to protect model aviation. We appreciate all of our members for your support of these efforts. If legislation is introduced in your state or city, please let us know by contacting Government Affairs at 765-287-1256.
We will also provide additional updates and progress reports on Section 336 as the FAA Reauthorization moves through the Senate. The most current information is available on our website at modelaircraft.org/gov and we welcome questions from our members. Please monitor your emails and social media in the coming weeks, as we may need your help to engage with your lawmakers on the importance of model aviation.
Sincerely,
AMA Government Affairs Team