Congress just released a new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018. This bill is the result of closed-door negotiations between leadership of the House and Senate and includes significant modifications to the Special Rule for Model Aircraft, also known as Section 336. While some […]
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Member Communication Regarding Hurricane Florence
As I’m sure you’ve heard, Hurricane Florence is due to make landfall on the coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia on Friday. The storm is projected to bring record-breaking rain and wind to the area and has prompted mandatory evacuations along the East Coast. Given these conditions, it […]
Continue readingFlying models is so much more than a fun activity – it’s a vital STEM opportunity!
Do you work with our youth to provide STEM education through aviation? If so, we need your help! Currently, educators can use drones and model aircraft to teach STEM under Section 336 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, also known as the Special Rule for Model Aircraft. […]
Continue readingGovernment Affairs Update, August 15, 2018
The AMA Government Affairs team has been working persistently with lawmakers this year to ensure our hobby is protected in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization legislation. The Senate’s August recess gave our team a few days to adjust our strategy towards preserving Section 336 and to address some state and […]
Continue readingGovernment Affairs Update, June 7, 2018
The AMA Government Affairs team continues its work in Washington, D.C. to represent and protect our hobby. We want to share with you more information about our activities in recent weeks. As the Senate prepares to focus on FAA reauthorization legislation, members of our team have conducted numerous meetings with […]
Continue readingGovernment Affairs Update, May 17, 2018
Government Affairs Update, May 17, 2018 Over the past few months, the AMA Government Affairs Team has been hard at work at the federal, state and local level to protect and preserve our longstanding hobby. Just last month, the House of Representatives passed its version of the FAA Reauthorization Act […]
Continue readingHouse of Representatives Passes FAA Reauthorization Act
Today, the House of Representatives passed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (H.R.4), a long-term reauthorization of the FAA. We are happy to share that Section 336, also known as the Special Rule for Model Aircraft, is included in this bill with meaningful refinements that we supported to help make […]
Continue readingFAA Authorization Extended to September 30, 2018
The AMA Government Affairs team has worked diligently with Congress to ensure our hobby is protected in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization legislation. On March 23, President Trump signed the omnibus spending bill into law, which includes a six-month extension of FAA authorization, funding the FAA through September 30, 2018. […]
Continue readingFPV IN THE WASHINGTON, D.C., SPECIAL FLIGHT RULES AREA (SFRA)
For decades, AMA members have enjoyed our hobby under our programming, whether it’s soaring, aerobatic, or FPV. Although AMA provides robust safety programming to enjoy our hobby, there are situations in which operators might be required to comply with additional rules, such as in the Washington, D.C., Special Flight Rules […]
Continue readingMore Education and Enforcement is Necessary for Unlicensed Commercial UAS
Last month, AMA President Rich Hanson wrote an op-ed in The Hill about the two ways for recreational drone enthusiasts to legally fly. The default drone law for these pilots to follow is the FAA’s Part 107 regulation, which requires a remote pilot certificate. The only exception to this rule […]
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