After years of delays, the FAA released its notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for sUAS on February 15, 2015. Although we are still sifting through the 195-page proposed rule, at first glance we are cautiously optimistic.
Since the beginning of the regulatory process in 2008, the path that got us to where we are today took several unusual twists and turns.
AMA’s position from the very beginning was, and will always be, “No modeler left behind!” Along the way, AMA and the FAA were able to address a number of concerns and came together to find reasonable solutions. We were able to resolve these concerns because the FAA looked favorably on AMA and our strong safety program that has stood the test of time for nearly 80 years.
In 2008, the FAA’s initial thoughts were that it would “regulate model aviation by exempting it from regulation.” As the process progressed, the FAA changed direction and began leaning toward a comprehensive set of “operating standards” that would be the guidance for modelers.
AMA and some dedicated AMA volunteers representing many of the aeromodeling disciplines worked for over two years alongside the FAA in developing those standards. The work was tedious, sometimes tense, and was made more difficult by frequent turnover in personnel within the FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Office (UASIO), the office within the FAA charged with drafting these new rules.
In 2010, recognizing the challenges we were facing, AMA asked Congress for its support. In February 2012, after nearly two years of hard work, Congress passed the 2012 FAA Modernization and Reform Act. Within this act is Section 336, titled the Special Rule for Model Aircraft (the AMA amendment).
This amendment, while recognizing the FAA’s authority over anyone-including model aviation enthusiasts-who could be an eminent danger to other users of the airspace, limited the FAA’s ability to create any new rule or regulation for model aircraft. Shortly after the passage of this act-and in part due to a change in management within the UASIO-the FAA’s position began to shift away from the concept of a hard set of standards for model aircraft.
We find ourselves today, nearly seven years after the process began, looking at a proposed rule from which, for the most part, model aviation is exempt. As the FAA administrator said, “… this proposed rule does not affect those who want to fly model aircraft as a hobby or for recreation.” It appears AMA and the FAA found a way to regulate model aviation by exempting it from regulation.
Although we are optimistic, there is a long way to go before this proposed rule is finalized. There is a period for public comment, and it’s possible that the FAA may make some modification to the proposed rule.
AMA is also intent on working with the FAA to resolve the differences we have with the FAA’s Interpretive Rule issued in June 2014. The Interpretive Rule is the FAA’s interpretation of the provisions in the Special Rule for Model Aircraft, and there a few areas where we believe the FAA may be misinterpreting Congress’ intent when it included the special rule in the 2012 act.
As the country’s premier community-based organization representing model aviation enthusiasts, AMA has invested significant resources in both manpower and dollars in advocating for, and working toward, the goal of aeromodelers continuing to enjoy model aviation much as we have in the past. The NPRM is a good step toward making that happen.
Once we have had a chance to fully digest the NPRM we will report back to our membership.
VISIT WWW.MODELAIRCRAFT.ORG/GOV
for updates on AMA’s Government advocacy efforts.
Click the links below to read the FAA documents released in conjunction with the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking…