All pilots, including those visiting from outside the United States, are required by the FAA to register if they plan to fly most unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) weighing 250 grams or more outdoors. FAA registration can only be completed online using a United States based computer. Therefore, it is recommended […]
Continue readingDrone Safety Pitch Pays Off for Model Aeronautics Group
Check out the recent AMA article from Associations Now!! The Academy of Model Aeronautics’ big challenge has been bringing casual drone users into the fold in terms of drone safety regulations. Here’s how it approached the issue. Rich Hanson and the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) had a serious problem […]
Continue readingUpdated Analysis of FAA Drone Data Shows Decline in UAS Sightings
AMA today released an analysis of the FAA’s latest drone sightings that were made public in March 2016. This follows an analysis we previously released in September 2015 on the FAA’s first dataset of drone reports. We’re happy to share that our latest analysis shows a month-by-month decline in UAS […]
Continue readingCongressional Process Stalls
Congress is in the process of updating FAA’s goals and authority, which includes regulations on model aircraft. To accomplish this task, the Senate and House must separately draft and pass their version of FAA’s reauthorization bill. The two bills then go to a conference committee to resolve any differences. After […]
Continue readingRoswell Flight Test Crew at AUVSI Xponential 2016
The Roswell Flight Test Crew has a conversation with Chad Budreau for the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA). The discussion begins with a pair of announcements made by Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Michael Huerta at AUVSI Xponential 2016. First, that the agency is forming a permanent drone task force, to […]
Continue readingAMA Statement on FAA Drone Advisory Council, Educational Use of UAS
AMA applauds the FAA for making it clear that students can use UAS, including model aircraft, for educational purposes. For years, model aircraft have been used for science, technology, education and math (STEM) education without burdensome requirements on teachers and students. In recent years, AMA advocated that new regulations for […]
Continue readingSpecial Rule for Model Aircraft Looks Favorable in the House
The FAA Modernization and Reform Act with the Special Rule for Model Aircraft was passed into law in 2012, but this year the act is up for renewal. Since last year we have been active on the Hill making our case to protect and preserve the Special Rule for Model […]
Continue readingLondon’s Heathrow incident believed to be a plastic bag, not a drone
The Telegraph published an article today indicating that the incident at London’s Heathrow airport this past Sunday could have been caused by a plastic bag – not, as had been previously reported, by a drone. United Kingdom Transport minister Robert Goodwill stated that,“there was no actual damage to the plane” and […]
Continue readingSeveral Detrimental Provisions Remain in the Senate Bill
Last week we asked you to contact your Senators requesting support of an amendment to resolve provisions in the Senate’s FAA reauthorization bill that could be detrimental to our hobby. Thanks to your efforts over 30,100 letters were sent to Congress. We thank you for your support of the hobby […]
Continue readingURGENT – Write the Senate Now!
The U.S. Senate is currently considering amendments to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2016. We need your help today to ensure this proposed legislation fully protects the model aircraft community. Click here now to urge your Senators to support Senator Inhofe’s amendment number 3596 to the FAA […]
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