September 29, 2016, California Governor Jerry Brown vetoed a number of bills targeting the model aircraft community. This includes legislation that would require geo-fencing and drone identification, and prohibit the operation of UAS over state managed land and waters. The specific bills vetoed by the Governor were AB 2148, AB […]
Continue readingAs authorities write drone rules, model airplane hobbyists take on the FAA
Check out the recent AMA article from the Carroll County Times. Ian Duncan writes about the effort that “turned the Baltimore County runway where Vail’s club is hosting an air show this weekend — and venues like it across the state and nation — into a battleground. On one side are […]
Continue readingAMA appointed to a high-level advisory committee/team
We are excited to share that AMA has been appointed to the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Drone Advisory Committee (DAC). Dave Mathewson, AMA executive director, will represent the AMA as he joins a small group of executive level stakeholders from across the aviation industry to discuss UAS integration into our […]
Continue readingAMA members may continue flying FPV
We are writing to address some recent confusion as to whether the new federal commercial drone rules (Small Unmanned Aircraft Rule Part 107) impact AMA members and model aircraft enthusiasts who fly for recreational and educational purposes. First, we would like to reaffirm that Part 107 does not change anything […]
Continue readingAMA Exempt from Earning a Remote Pilot’s Certificate (Part 107)
Effective August 29, 2016 the FAA requires sUAS pilots preforming commercial operations, or those not operating within the programing of a community-based organization, to earn a remote pilot’s certificate and to operate within the provisions of Part 107. To earn this certificate, pilots must take a test at an FAA […]
Continue readingAMA invited to White House
As you may have seen in the news, earlier this week the White Housed hosted the first ever UAS workshop. AMA’s Government and Regulatory Affairs Representative Rich Hanson was honored to be invited by the White House to participate in this event and join in the conversation about UAS policies […]
Continue readingFAA Acknowledges AMA as a CBO and our Safety Program
Our hobby has faced many challenges this year as we address an increase in government intervention and proposed regulations. AMA has been aggressively advocating for our hobby, and during the past few weeks, we’ve been happy to report successful progress. Today, our members have yet another AMA government advocacy victory […]
Continue readingSpecial Rule for Model Aircraft Remains Federal Law
We are happy to announce big news related to FAA authorization. As of today, both the Senate and House of Representatives have passed a 14-month FAA extension, and the President has signed the bill into law. We are very pleased that the FAA extension affirms our right to continue to […]
Continue readingFAA Reauth Passes the House
We want to share with you another promising development related to FAA reauthorization. Late yesterday, the House passed a 14-month FAA extension. Importantly for our hobby, this extension preserves the Special Rule for Model Aircraft (the AMA amendment included in the 2012 FAA Modernization and Reform Act) through September 2017. […]
Continue readingSpecial Rule for Model Aircraft Remains Intact
We want to share with you a promising development related to FAA reauthorization. The House and Senate came to an agreement last week on language for a short-term FAA funding extension. Importantly for our hobby, this extension preserves the Special Rule for Model Aircraft (the AMA amendment included in the […]
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