In a press conference on Monday October 19, 2015, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced its intent to require registration for certain small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS). Led by Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and FAA Administrator Michael Huerta, a concept was laid out calling for the creation of a […]
Continue readingMedia Release: AMA JOINS DOT TASK FORCE ON UAS REGISTRATION
MUNCIE, Ind. – Dave Mathewson, executive director of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), today released the following statement that the organization is joining the U.S. Department of Transportation’s task force to develop a streamlined registration process for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS): “AMA looks forward to working with government and […]
Continue readingCalifornia governor vetoes bills regulating hobbyist drone flight
Original article by Megan Geuss – Oct 5, 2015 4:13pm EDT Over the weekend, California Governor Jerry Brown vetoed a number of bills that would have increased penalties for flying drones over wildfires, grade schools, and prisons in the state. One of the most notable drone bills that got vetoed […]
Continue readingCities Hosting the Papal Visit are No Drone Zones
Press Release For Immediate Release Date: September 15, 2015 Cities Hosting the Papal Visit are No Drone Zones WASHINGTON – As the Papal visit approaches, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is reminding residents of and visitors to Washington, DC, New York, and Philadelphia that these cities […]
Continue readingAMA Responds to the FAA’s Drone Sighting Report
The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) has released a detailed analysis of the data alluded to in the FAA’s August 12 press release, “Pilot Reports of Close Calls with Drones Soar in 2015.” A close examination of the 764 records reveals a more complex picture of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)activity […]
Continue readingCalifornia governor vetoes SB 142
Legislation intended to restrict drone pilots in California has been vetoed by Governor Jerry Brown. In a media release published on September 10, AMA Executive Director, Dave Mathewson, publically thanked the nearly 3,000 AMA members in California who wrote to the Governor and urged him to veto the legislation. AMA […]
Continue readingAMA Media Update-Educating the Public About Safe Operations
-AMA President, Bob Brown As you know, there have been a number of news articles and broadcast stories that have reported on “irresponsible use of drones by hobbyists” and, most recently, the FAA’s data on “drone sightings near airplanes.” We are very concerned by these reports and are working on […]
Continue readingAMA testifies about model aircraft safety to California
Rich Hanson, AMA government and regulatory affairs director, joins fire, law enforcement, emergency management personnel, NASA, the media, and DJI to testify about the proper use of sUAS’s in California. The meeting was held in Sacrament, California on August 18, 2015 at the California Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management […]
Continue readingFAA: Washington DC is a NO DRONE ZONE
June 30– As the July 4 holiday approaches, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is reminding residents and visitors to Washington, D.C. that the city and surrounding communities are a “No Drone Zone.” The prohibition against flying any type of unmanned aircraft, or “drone,” without specific approval includes the District of […]
Continue readingAMA to attend FLYSAFE Chicago
AMA will join dozens of UAS pilots attending FLYSAFE Chicago later this month to introduce them to AMA and the work it has done for model aviation. FLYSAFE is a 3-day rigorous training course for the safe and effective operation of low-range unmanned aerial vehicles and systems. AMA has attended […]
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