FAA Grants National Authorization for AMA Sanctioned Events

In January 2021, the FAA commented in the Final Rule on Remote ID, that “Though FAA-recognized identification areas would not be authorized for temporary use, the FAA expects that instances such as air shows or temporary drone racing events would be handled, where warranted, through authorization from the Administrator to deviate from the remote identification operating rules.” AMA has asserted that our Sanctioned Events across the country taking place at locations that do not have FRIA status fall under this category to deviate from the Remote ID rules. Since the Final Rule was published, AMA has advocated for a streamlined FAA process to exempt operations at AMA Sanctioned Events from broadcasting remote identification information.

AMA is happy to share that on February 24, 2024, the FAA granted AMA members the ability to operate without broadcasting remote ID information at AMA Sanctioned Events.

Contest Directors/Event Managers of these Sanctioned Events are required to issue a NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions) for their event no later than 24 hours prior to the start of the event. It is best to file no more than 7 days prior to the start of the event in order to get a NOTAM number immediately. To learn how to file a NOTAM, see below:

To issue a NOTAM for your event, you need to:

  1. Call 1-877-487-6867 between 24 hours and 7 days prior to your event.
  2. The NOTAM system will recognize your state by the phone number from which you are calling.
    • If it is not the same as the location of the event, press 1 and follow the prompts to enter the correct state.
  3. After your state has been confirmed, you will be directed to a representative. It is possible that the information you will be asked to provide will vary slightly depending on the state/representative. Likely questions include:
    • What is the NOTAM being issued for?
      • Answer UAS operations
    • Have you issued this NOTAM in the last 30 days?
    • Is the NOTAM going to be at an airport, or would you like to provide latitude/longitude?
      • Answer latitude/longitude and then provide it in degrees, minutes, seconds.
    • How high are you looking to go?
    • How much is the nautical mile (nm) radius for the NOTAM?
      • ¼ nm radius is sufficient for most events, but ½ nm radius may be needed for very large flying sites.
    • What is the date of the NOTAM?
    • What is the start time?
      • They will need a specific time with time zone. If your event is multiple days long, using the same start and finish time for each day will allow you to issue one NOTAM. However, different start/finish times each day will require multiple NOTAMs. AMA would encourage you to issue the NOTAM for the same start/finish time for every day of your AMA sanctioned event.
    • What is the end time?
      • See above “start time” information.
    • The representative will then likely put you on hold while they verify location. They may have additional questions when they return regarding the location.
    • You will then provide your initials and be asked if you are an individual or representing a group.
      • Academy of Model Aeronautics
  4. At the end of the call, the representative will give you a NOTAM number. Be sure to write that number down and email it to waivers@modelaircraft.org. AMA needs this number in order to issue your RID authorization certificate.

Once issued a NOTAM number, the Contest Director/Event Manager must then provide that number to waivers@modelaircraft.org,informing AMA Headquarters that pilots at the event will be operating under the Remote ID authorization.

If you have any further questions, please reference the FAQs here.

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.

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