AMA is committed to consistently advocating for the model aircraft community. In addition to working with the FAA and Congress, the Government Affairs department focuses on a number of other tasks. AMA works with the FAA daily on a host of issues, including securing Letters of Agreement for AMA clubs […]
Continue readingAuthor: Holly Silvers
Representative John Cyrier Proposes New Bill in Texas
On March 9, 2021, Representative John Cyrier (R-Texas) introduced House Bill No. 3403. The bill proposes that it be a criminal offense to fly any unmanned aircraft outside of the direct line of sight of the operator, above unauthorized private property, attempts to set altitude restrictions, and imposes a fee […]
Continue readingFAA Experiences 50% Decline In New Registrations and Renewals
The FAA has experienced a 50% decline in new registrations and renewals for UAS via faadronezone.faa.gov. The total number of registrations fell from 1,746,248 to 868,421 between December 2020 and March 2021, comprising 492,492 recreational fliers and 375,929 commercially registered drones. The FAA attributes this drop to registrations to reaching […]
Continue readingRemote ID Effective Date Delayed
Because of President Joseph Biden’s regulatory freeze and review process, the FAA is delaying the effective date of the final rule for Remote ID until April 21, 2021. The original effective date was March 16, 2021. As a result of the delay in the effective date, the compliance date for […]
Continue readingSenator Mike Lee Reintroduces Drone Integration and Zoning Act
Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) reintroduced the Drone Integration and Zoning Act, a bill that would give states, counties, cities, and local tribal governments the right to manage low altitude airspace. Specifically, the legislation would preclude the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) from authorizing UAS operations under 200 feet when flying above […]
Continue readingClub Resources for Remote ID
Many clubs have been hosting meetings to update their members on the new rule for Remote ID. AMA has several resources for clubs and members to reference for Remote ID that will hopefully make the upcoming requirements easier to understand. Here is a PowerPoint presentation that details the new rule, […]
Continue readingShare Our Field
When the President of the United States travels, the FAA and United States Secret Service issue a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR), preventing the flying of any full-scale aircraft, model airplane, or drone inside a 30-nautical-mile (NM) radius of the President. As a result, whenever President Joe Biden travels to his […]
Continue readingWhat Is LAANC and How to Use It
What Is LAANC? In 2019, the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) became available to recreational UAS operators. LAANC is an automated service for which to apply and quickly receive approval from the FAA to fly outside of AMA club locations while in controlled airspace. All model aircraft and […]
Continue readingAMA Signs MOU with AFJROTC
On December 23, 2020, AMA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Air Force Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (AFJROTC). The MOU outlines several collaborative efforts between AMA and the AFJROTC involving youth programs and curriculum. AMA has previously worked with the AFJROTC and is happy to build upon […]
Continue reading2021 Government Advocacy Updates
On November 13, 2020, AMA reported that Advisory Circular (AC) 91-57C was under review for final sign-off by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Because of required revisions and reviews, AC 91-57C is likely delayed until President Biden fills key agency positions within the FAA and the Department of […]
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