You may have heard about a recently proposed rule that would require small UAS operators to display their FAA registration number on the outside of their aircraft. This would be a change from the current rule, which allows for registration numbers to be placed inside battery compartments or other internal […]
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Airspace Map
The map below helps operators identify the airspace around them. A blue circle (often with grids) represents controlled or restricted airspace. Other colored circles or no circles represents uncontrolled airspace.
Continue readingCommunity Outreach from Homeland Security
We wanted to make you aware that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently contacted AMA concerning the use of nitromethane in gas-powered model aircraft. DHS regulates security at high-risk chemical facilities under the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program, which works to reduce the security risks associated with […]
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 readingUAS Stakeholders Launch Initiative to Educate Public on Drone Laws, Call for Enforcement
Today, the nation’s leading unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) stakeholders, led by the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), launched a new initiative to educate the public about the existing drone laws they must follow and the consequences if they ignore or break the law. The new advertising campaign – Even the […]
Continue readingWhat Does Remote ID and Tracking Mean For Our Members?
As you may be aware, AMA participated in the FAA’s Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) advisory panel, which made recommendations to the agency on creating standards for remote identification and tracking unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The ARC identified technologies to allow law enforcement, homeland defense, national security and air traffic control […]
Continue readingFAA Restrictions Over DOE Facilities
On December 18, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Department of Energy (DOE) announced new airspace restrictions at several DOE facilities. While we don’t anticipate that these restrictions will affect AMA members, we wanted to make you aware of this development, which prohibits all UAS flights up to 400 feet […]
Continue readingSigning of the NDAA – FAA’s Registration Requirement for UAS
Last month, we shared new information about the FAA’s UAS registration requirement, which Congress has reinstated. President Trump signed the bill today, restoring the UAS registration requirement, including for AMA members. Q: If I already registered, do I have register again? A: You will not have to register again since this […]
Continue readingThird Quarter Government Relations Update 2017
Over the past few months, the AMA Government Relations team has been hard at work representing – and protecting – the model aircraft hobby in Washington, D.C. and across the country. We wanted to share with you some of our work and progress during the third quarter of 2017. Federal […]
Continue readingAMA President Promotes Drone Safety During Speaking Tour in Virginia
Recently, AMA partnered with the Virginia Department of Aviation (DOAV), the Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association (AOPA) and the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) to host a series of safety seminars across Virginia. As a part of these events, AMA President Rich Hanson spoke about how to safely […]
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