Federal Issues
As you are aware, the federal government has been partially shut down until funding legislation is passed. At this time, there does not appear to be a compromise in sight, as congressional leaders for both parties have taken a firm stance on key issues. The AMA government affairs team has been working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to address provisions relating to our hobby; however, our correspondence has been reduced due to the furlough. We will continue to provide updates as we meet with the FAA to promote safety and security in the airspace and protect your freedom to fly!
State & Local Issues
The pre-filing period for 2019 legislative sessions in many states has begun, with a few states already open for business on the 2019 state legislative calendar. Last year, our team monitored over 300 state and local proposed legislation and we anticipate another busy year, as local governments look to regulate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) due to perceived safety or privacy concerns. If you hear of any proposed problematic legislation in your area, please reach out to our government affairs team at amagov@modelaircraft.org.
FAA Registration
We’ve received a lot of questions regarding FAA registration requirements and how to renew current registrations. On December 12, 2017, Congress reinstated FAA registration for all unmanned aircraft weighing over .55 lbs (250g). For those that registered before this date, the FAA extended their registration expiration date to December 12, 2020. However, any individual who specifically requested that his or her name be taken off the FAA registration database no longer has an FAA registration number in the system and would need to process as a new registrant.
If you are uncertain whether or not you have a valid FAA registration, you can access your FAA account at https://faadronezone.faa.gov/#/. This site will allow you to view your personal FAA registration number and expiration date.
We strongly advise to avoid registering your model aircraft anywhere but at the official FAA website. If you register under Section 336, the fee is $5.00 for a three year registration and hobbyists receive one identification number for all the aircraft he or she owns. Please be aware of unofficial registration websites that charge exorbitant fees or require separate registration fees for each recreational aircraft.
If you have any questions regarding your FAA registration login, please call the UAS Registration Help Desk at 877-396-4636. Keep in mind, this office is not open during the partial government shutdown. For any other questions or concerns, contact our government affairs team at 765-287-1256 ext 236 or amagov@modelaircraft.org. The latest information can be found at www.modelaircraft.org/gov, Model Aviation, and on social media.
As always, thank you for all of your support!
AMA Government Affairs Team