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 readingRaleigh Public Park Drone Policy Nearing Final Approval
Last week, the City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department approved a new unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) policy, which regulates the use of drones and model aircraft in the city’s public parks. This policy is headed to the full Parks, Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board for final approval, […]
Continue readingGovernment Affairs Update, February 21, 2018
Over the past two weeks, the AMA Government Affairs team has been hard at work representing and protecting the model aircraft hobby at the federal, state and local level. We wanted to share with you some of our work and progress made during the first half of February. State […]
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 […]
Continue readingFBI Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Outreach
As you know, we have been enjoying our great hobby safely and responsibly for over 80 years. Unfortunately, there is now some concern that extremist groups could use drones to inflict harm and cause serious damage. The FBI has contacted AMA as part of their routine community outreach to ask […]
Continue readingGovernment Relations Update, January 30, 2018
It has been a busy start to the new year for the AMA Government Affairs team. Here is a look at some of our recent work at the federal, state and local level to advocate for and protect our hobby. Federal Government Relations At this year’s AMA Expo West in […]
Continue readingFourth Quarter 2017 Government Relations Update
As the New Year begins, the AMA Government Relations team would like to take a moment to update you on our work during the last few months of 2017 to represent and protect our hobby at the federal, local and state level. Federal Government Relations Over the past few months, […]
Continue readingPunish rogue recreational drone pilots — not the rule followers
We would like to share with you a new op-ed by AMA president Rich Hanson, which was published in The Hill newspaper: “Punish rogue recreational drone pilots — not the rule followers”. The Hill is a news outlet in Washington, D.C. that many members of Congress, and their staff, read on a regular […]
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 […]
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