The AMA Government Relations team continues our work in Washington, D.C. and elsewhere representing the model aviation community. Last week, our Director of Government Relations, Chad Budreau, participated in a two-day Unmanned Aircraft Safety Team (UAST) meeting with other industry stakeholders and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This discussion […]
Continue readingNew Florida Law Prohibits Local Governments from Regulating UAS.
We wanted to share some good news about a new Florida law that went into effect on July 1, 2017, the “Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act.” The state law prohibits local governments from regulating drone and model aircraft operations in Florida, protecting those flying safely and within the bounds of the […]
Continue readingGovernment Relations Update, June 29, 2017
AMA is working hard in Washington, D.C. to represent and protect our hobby. We want to share with you more information about our activities this week. First, AMA President Rich Hanson attended two meetings of the FAA’s Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC), which brings the industry together to provide recommendations to […]
Continue readingCongress drafting legislation for model aircraft
The U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate this week released proposed legislation for FAA reauthorization. We are pleased to share that both bills preserve the Special Rule for Model Aircraft and even contain some of the new provisions AMA has been advocating for to further protect our hobby. And while the Special Rule remains in both bills, there […]
Continue readingSpecial Rule for Model Aircraft Looks Favorable in the House, Waiting on Senate.
As you may know, both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate are in the process of revising their own versions of legislation, known as FAA reauthorization, which includes the Special Rule for Model Aircraft. The Special Rule for Model Aircraft allows community-based organizations like the AMA to continue managing our community of hobbyists without […]
Continue readingGrowing Activity in DC
Last week was another busy week for AMA in Washington, D.C., where the government affairs team has held multiple meetings with members of Congress and other industry stakeholders to discuss FAA reauthorization and other issues. We’ve met with the National Aeronautic Association, National League of Cities, the National Association of Realtors […]
Continue readingDrone Federalism Act
As you may know, a bipartisan group of United States Senators has introduced legislation known as the “Drone Federalism Act” that would give state and local governments some authority to restrict drone and model aircraft flights under 200 feet. If enacted, this proposal could make life more complicated for our […]
Continue readingWhat we really need to ensure the safety of our skies
We are excited to share with you a new op-ed by AMA president Rich Hanson, which was published in The Hill newspaper: “What we really need to ensure the safety of our skies.” This opinion piece, which you can read in full below, focuses on the importance of community-based […]
Continue readingAMA participates in self-reglatory roundtable
On June 6, AMA Government Relations and Public Affairs Director Chad Budreau participated in a roundtable discussion in Washington, D.C. on self-regulation and economic growth in the UAS sector. At this event, AMA was joined by experts in the aerospace and aviation sectors, including representatives from Congress and government agencies. […]
Continue readingFAA Registration Requirement Struck Down
On Friday, May 19 the federal appeals court struck down the FAA’s registration requirement for recreational model aircraft. You can read the opinion here. The Court ruling is effective immediately. As such, if you have not registered with the FAA, you are no longer required under the law to do so. […]
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