As many AMA members and clubs are now aware, FAA-Recognized Identification Areas (FRIAs) permit modelers who do not wish to purchase a Remote ID module to remain compliant with the FAA’s Remote ID Rule. By flying within the geographic boundaries of a FRIA (or a similar exemption), they are relieved […]
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Filing a NOTAM
By Tyler Dobbs, Government Affairs Director | tylerd@modelaircraft.org ALTHOUGH MANY hobbyists will never need to do so, the requirement to issue a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) is becoming more common within the AMA community. Sanctioned event altitude waivers, sanctioned event Remote ID exemptions, and AMA clubs’ FAA Airspace Authorizations […]
Continue reading2024 FAA Reauthorization Bill Passed
On Thursday, May 16th, 2024, the President signed the FAA’s Reauthorization Bill into law. AMA began working with Congress as soon as the last bill passed in 2018, advocating to make much needed changes to the law. Although the new bill is not perfect, AMA is happy that we were […]
Continue readingFAA Reauthorization Bill Passes the Senate
On May 9th, 2024, The FAA Reauthorization Bill passed the Senate just before the FAA’s authorities were set to expire on May 10th. However, the House is not expected to pass the bill until sometime around May 14th or 15th. As expected, the House has passed an extension which will […]
Continue readingHouse Plans Extension to FAA Reauthorization Bill
Congress continues to work to reauthorize the FAA as some of their authorities expire on May 10, 2024. However, on Wednesday, May 8th, AMA received word that the House will pass a 1-week extension to the FAA’s Reauthorization Bill. This extension is a result of the Senate being unable to […]
Continue readingCongress Releases Final Version of FAA Reauthorization Bill
On April 29, 2024, the House of Representatives and the Senate released a final version of the FAA’s Reauthorization Bill. Although not perfect, AMA is happy that we were able to address many of the challenges facing the hobby. Below is a summary of the bill: Although we don’t expect […]
Continue readingAMA Continues Work to Lessen Restrictions on the Hobby
AMA continues its work to reduce the unnecessary restrictions that have been placed on our hobby. Recently, AMA has been successful in gaining FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA) status for 1,835 of our chartered club flying sites, receiving an alternative process to exempt operations at sites previously denied FRIA status from […]
Continue readingFAA Finalizes Process to Expand Remote ID Authorizations for Clubs Near Airports in Uncontrolled Airspace
On March 8, 2024, AMA and the FAA finalized procedures to expand Remote ID Authorization exemptions to include clubs on or near sensitive locations in uncontrolled airspace. Previously, only AMA clubs in controlled airspace with letters of agreement with air traffic control were eligible for this type of authorization; however, […]
Continue readingFAQs for Remote ID Sanctioned Event Waiver and Authorizations
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 readingFAA 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 […]
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