As you may know, a bipartisan group of United States Senators has introduced legislation known as the “Drone Federalism Act” that would give state and local governments some authority to restrict drone and model aircraft flights under 200 feet. If enacted, this proposal could make life more complicated for our […]
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What we really need to ensure the safety of our skies
We are excited to share with you a new op-ed by AMA president Rich Hanson, which was published in The Hill newspaper: “What we really need to ensure the safety of our skies.” This opinion piece, which you can read in full below, focuses on the importance of community-based […]
Continue reading1QTR 2017 Government Relations Update
Government Relations Update – April 2017 2017 is shaping up to be another busy year on the legislative front. At the federal and local level, some legislators are discussing bills that could harm our hobby. We take these legislative proposals seriously and wanted to share an update on our efforts […]
Continue readingSpecial Rule for Model Aircraft Remains Federal Law
We are happy to announce big news related to FAA authorization. As of today, both the Senate and House of Representatives have passed a 14-month FAA extension, and the President has signed the bill into law. We are very pleased that the FAA extension affirms our right to continue to […]
Continue readingFAA Reauth Passes the House
We want to share with you another promising development related to FAA reauthorization. Late yesterday, the House passed a 14-month FAA extension. Importantly for our hobby, this extension preserves the Special Rule for Model Aircraft (the AMA amendment included in the 2012 FAA Modernization and Reform Act) through September 2017. […]
Continue readingSpecial Rule for Model Aircraft Remains Intact
We want to share with you a promising development related to FAA reauthorization. The House and Senate came to an agreement last week on language for a short-term FAA funding extension. Importantly for our hobby, this extension preserves the Special Rule for Model Aircraft (the AMA amendment included in the […]
Continue reading2016 Congress Update
As we approach the July 15th deadline for FAA reauthorization, we wanted to provide a brief update on what’s happening in Congress. Right now, it looks like the House and Senate have agreed to an FAA extension with several policy provisions added. Though it is unknown what these policy provisions […]
Continue readingCongressional Process Stalls
Congress is in the process of updating FAA’s goals and authority, which includes regulations on model aircraft. To accomplish this task, the Senate and House must separately draft and pass their version of FAA’s reauthorization bill. The two bills then go to a conference committee to resolve any differences. After […]
Continue readingRoswell Flight Test Crew at AUVSI Xponential 2016
The Roswell Flight Test Crew has a conversation with Chad Budreau for the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA). The discussion begins with a pair of announcements made by Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Michael Huerta at AUVSI Xponential 2016. First, that the agency is forming a permanent drone task force, to […]
Continue readingSpecial Rule for Model Aircraft Looks Favorable in the House
The FAA Modernization and Reform Act with the Special Rule for Model Aircraft was passed into law in 2012, but this year the act is up for renewal. Since last year we have been active on the Hill making our case to protect and preserve the Special Rule for Model […]
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