Both the House (bill text) and Senate (bill text) have officially released their 2023 FAA Reauthorization bills. Both bills provide solutions to some of the issues that our recreational community currently faces, which are outlined below; however, we will continue to work with members of Congress on amendments that would further loosen restrictions. We are early in the process as we work toward the final bill and changes to the proposed language will occur. There are still many months of work ahead of us as we continue to remove restrictions on the hobby and we will update our members along the way.
House Bill
- Includes a process to fly above 400 feet in Class G airspace.
- Better clarifies large model aircraft operations in Class G airspace and includes a process for operations above 400 feet.
- Updates educational provision to allow elementary and secondary schools to fly under recreational rules.
- Changes the term “sanctioned events” to “CBO-sponsored operations.”
- Requires the FAA to work with CBOs to develop a process to approve altitude requests above the UAS Facility Map in controlled airspace.
- Requires the FAA to prioritize and adjudicate FRIA requests at fixed sites.
- Requires the FAA to determine if a network base solution can satisfy the Remote ID rule.
- Mandates rulemaking for beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) commercial operations.
- Include a provision for Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) development and testing.
- Creates the Office of Innovation to manage the continued modernization of the National Airspace System.
- Provides $1 million a year for Know Before You Fly from 2024 through 2028.
Senate Bill
- Includes a process to fly above 400 feet in Class G airspace.
- Better clarifies large model aircraft operations in Class G airspace and includes a process for operations above 400 feet.
- Provides $1 million a year for Know Before You Fly from 2024 through 2028.
- Changes the term “sanctioned events” to “CBO-sponsored operations.”
- Uses the word “drone” in place of UAS (definition remains the same from 2018).
- Requires that a categorical exclusion to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) be developed for low-impact operations.
- Requires the FAA develop UTM procedures specifically for BVLOS operations.
- Creates the Airspace Innovation Office to manage the continued modernization of the National Airspace System.
- Updates educational provision to allow elementary and secondary schools to fly under recreational rules.
To remain current with the most recent government-related news, regularly visit the AMA Government Affairs blog. If you have any further questions or concerns, contact the Government Affairs department at (765) 287-1256 or amagov@modelaircraft.org.