In 2020, the Government Affairs team continued working to promote, protect, and preserve model aviation. AMA worked closely with the FAA, Congress, security agencies, and industry stakeholders to obtain letters of agreement for AMA club flying sites, to help shape the FAA Remote ID Final Rule, and to create the […]
Continue readingAMA Welcomes New Members of the Drone Advisory Committee
AMA has been honored to be a member of the FAA Drone Advisory Committee (DAC) and welcomes the DAC’s new members. Over the past four years, AMA was successful in advising the DAC on several matters of importance including controlled airspace approvals, Remote ID, waiver processes, and promoting a safe […]
Continue readingEducational UAS Protections Become Law
The National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2021 has become law. Although the bill originally passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate in early December, President Trump vetoed the bill on December 23, 2020. This resulted in a rare New Year’s Day vote by the Senate of […]
Continue readingSummary of FAA’s Final Rule on Remote ID
The Final Rule for Remote ID of Unmanned Aircraft was released on December 28, 2020 and published on January 15, 2021. There are three ways to comply with the new rule: Note: Aircraft that weigh at or under .55 lbs (250 grams) are not required to comply with Remote ID. […]
Continue readingOffice of Management and Budget Concludes Review of Remote ID
According to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) website, the agency has concluded its review of the Final Rule on Remote Identification of Unmanned Aircraft Systems. This means that we are likely to see the rule published in its entirety soon. Once published, AMA will read and interpret what […]
Continue readingFAA Registration Renewal Process
Currently, FAA registrations are good for three years. To check your expiration date and renew your registration, if needed, follow the detailed steps below, or follow along to a video walkthrough by clicking here. Step 1. Go to faadronezone.faa.gov. This is the only website that is legitimate. All other FAA […]
Continue readingAMA Works With Congress to Secure Educational Protections for UAS Operations
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2021 has been passed by the House of Representatives and is expected to be passed by the Senate soon. AMA successfully got an educational provision written into the act, which permits operations as part of an educational program that is chartered […]
Continue readingFAA 14 CFR Update
On December 10, 2020, the FAA officially removed 14 CFR part 101, subpart E, the Special Rule for Model Aircraft. Part 101 had been outdated since Public Law 115-254, FAA Reauthorization, was passed in October 2018. The removal of part 101 reflects changes that were already made through legislation in […]
Continue readingAcademy of Model Aeronautics, UASidekick Partner to Disseminate Free LAANC Flight Planning Software to UAS Hobbyists
Muncie, Indiana – The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) and UASidekick announced a new partnership today to disseminate free recreational Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) flight planning to nearly 175,000 UAS hobbyists who are members of AMA. The software allows pilots to file LAANC authorizations with the FAA […]
Continue readingSenators Todd Young and Mike Braun Write Letter to the Office of Management and Budget
AMA would like to thank Senators Todd Young and Mike Braun for issuing a letter advocating on behalf of the model aircraft community to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in response to the FAA’s proposed rule on Remote ID. The letter, issued on November 19, 2020, advocated for […]
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