Original article by Megan Geuss – Oct 5, 2015 4:13pm EDT Over the weekend, California Governor Jerry Brown vetoed a number of bills that would have increased penalties for flying drones over wildfires, grade schools, and prisons in the state. One of the most notable drone bills that got vetoed […]
Continue readingAuthor: Chrystal Pearson
AMA Responds to the FAA’s Drone Sighting Report
The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) has released a detailed analysis of the data alluded to in the FAA’s August 12 press release, “Pilot Reports of Close Calls with Drones Soar in 2015.” A close examination of the 764 records reveals a more complex picture of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)activity […]
Continue readingAMA Media Update-Educating the Public About Safe Operations
-AMA President, Bob Brown As you know, there have been a number of news articles and broadcast stories that have reported on “irresponsible use of drones by hobbyists” and, most recently, the FAA’s data on “drone sightings near airplanes.” We are very concerned by these reports and are working on […]
Continue readingAMA to attend FLYSAFE Chicago
AMA will join dozens of UAS pilots attending FLYSAFE Chicago later this month to introduce them to AMA and the work it has done for model aviation. FLYSAFE is a 3-day rigorous training course for the safe and effective operation of low-range unmanned aerial vehicles and systems. AMA has attended […]
Continue readingOp-Ed Column from Dave Mathewson: “Listen to Congress and leave model airplane hobbyists alone”
The Academy of Model Aeronautics asks the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to listen to Congress and leave model flying alone. AMA Executive Director Dave Mathewson provided his insight and opinion over this topic in a recent op-ed column. In the column he discusses the newly proposed rules from the FAA, […]
Continue readingNational Press Photographers Association (NPPA) request participation in sUAS survey
The National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) has requested that AMA members complete a new survey they have developed to provide valuable information regarding the proposed rules to support public comments to be submitted to the FAA and NTIA. If you are not involved in media-related profession, please select “other” and […]
Continue readingAMA Responds to the FAA’s sUAS NPRM
On February 23, 2015, the FAA published its proposed regulations for small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). This began a 60-day period during which the public can comment on the proposed regulations. When finalized, the proposed rules would become the safety regulations for operating […]
Continue readingSpecial message from Academy of Model Aeronautics President Bob Brown: We stand for education, not regulation
By now nearly everyone is aware of the incident that occurred on Monday, January 26, 2015, involving a multirotor landing on the White House lawn. The incident occurred at 3 a.m. and involved a government employee who had been drinking. The incident resulted in reaction from many, including President Obama, […]
Continue readingValley RC Flyers club assist with UAS demonstrations at the Big Iron Farm Show
Article provided by Ron Landman, President, Valley RC Flyers This fall AMA asked the Valley RC Flyers club of Fargo, ND and Moorhead, MN to assist them by providing a contest director and additional workers to run the flying and safety aspects of the UAS demonstrations at the Big Iron […]
Continue readingAMA Files Petition for Review of FAA’s Interpretive Rule
Today the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) filed a Petition for Review in the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit challenging the FAA’s Interpretation of the Special Rule for Model Aircraft published in the Federal Register on June 25, 2014. The AMA believes that the FAA’s Interpretive […]
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