Q. What are the available FAA waivers/authorizations for AMA sanctioned events? A. AMA sanctioned events are eligible for both Remote ID authorizations and/or altitude waivers. Remote ID authorizations are for any AMA sanctioned event. This authorization allows AMA members to operate at sanctioned events without broadcasting Remote ID information. Altitude […]
Continue readingAuthor: Holly Silvers
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 […]
Continue readingSenate Passes FAA Reauthorization Act of 2023 with AMA’s Amendment Included
On February 8, 2024, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation passed the bipartisan Senate Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2023. The legislation includes several provisions to strengthen safety standards and oversight at the FAA and responds to safety concerns from recent aviation accidents and near-misses. […]
Continue readingAMA Submits Public Comment to the FAA
The FAA’s Office of Airports is looking to change the definition of “aeronautical activity” and exclude recreational UAS/model aircraft from this definition. This could create an issue with clubs and events that AMA have on airport properties around the country that receive FAA funding because this money is often prohibited […]
Continue readingHow to Use the FAA’s UAS Facility Map to Search for FRIAs
AMA has successfully obtained FRIA status for the majority of our chartered clubs’ flying sites. If you’d like to identify where FRIAs are located across the country, there are a couple of ways you can do that. One option is for members to use AMA’s Club Finder. Click here for […]
Continue readingRemote ID Compliance and Resources
As a reminder, the FAA will be ending its Discretionary Enforcement Policy for Remote ID compliance on March 16, 2024. Radio-controlled operators must then comply with Remote ID requirements through Standard Remote ID, use of a broadcast module, or by flying at a FRIA site. AMA has shared with the […]
Continue readingAMA Secures Higher Altitudes for Sanctioned Events
AMA is happy to share that we have signed a new Letter of Agreement with the FAA to continue to provide higher altitudes for AMA sanctioned events in uncontrolled (Class G) airspace for 2024. The AMA event sanctioning process currently includes an assessment for operations to be approved up to […]
Continue readingClub Finder Updated for FRIA-Approved Club Sites
Many of our clubs have been granted FRIA (FAA-Recognized Identification Area) status for their club’s flying site. We have updated the club finder on our website to reflect which locations have been granted FRIA status, as well as added an option to search for FRIA-approved clubs within a certain mile […]
Continue readingHouse Passes Bill Avoiding Government Shutdown
On September 30, 2023, the House of Representatives passed HB 335-91, which funds the government for 45 more days. The signing of this bill effectively prevents a government shutdown until November 17, 2023. The bill also extends the FAA’s authorities for another three months, or until December 31, 2023. The […]
Continue readingFAA Extends Remote ID Enforcement Date Six Months
As AMA anticipated, the FAA has announced they are extending the Remote ID enforcement date by six months. Radio Controlled Operators now have until March 16, 2024 before they will have to comply with the rule. This extension provides the FAA more time to approve FRIA applications and manufacturers the […]
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