AMA IN ACTION Advocating for Members

AMA conducted a panel discussion at the AMA Expo in January 2014 that focused on operations, including FPV and semi-autonomous flight, in the National Airspace System. Moderated by AMA President Bob Brown, the panel included Jim Williams, Executive Manager of the FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Office, Michael Tuscano, CEO […]

Wednesday, 2/5, the House Transportation subcommittee on aviation was told that the Federal Aviation Administration won’t meet its 2015 deadline for having ‘drones’ fly safely in the same space as commercial jets. Significant “technological barriers” such as the ability for unmanned aircraft to ‘sense and avoid’ other aircraft were cited as the […]

AMA members mobilize as states consider new ‘anti-drone’ legislation… As the 2014 legislative season ramps up, concerns over potential invasion of privacy and governmental intrusion are driving many states to consider new legislation aimed at restricting the use of unmanned aircraft. Most of the bills being introduced focus on law […]

Tune in Tuesday, February 4th at 8:30 pm EST… This week’s show will feature AMA Government and Regulatory Affairs Representative Rich Hanson in an exclusive interview. Rich will discuss the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the AMA and the Federal Aviation Administration at AMA Expo 2014, and the […]

After its promotional video went viral, Lakemaid Beer was ordered to Cease & Desist New York Daily News reports… Read more… FAA slaps down beer-delivering drone after YouTube video goes viral FAA grounds brewery’s beer-delivering drone (FoxNews.com) View the promo video… Rich Hanson AMA Government and Regulatory Affairs

The FAA has achieved another benchmark in meeting the mandates in the FAA Modernization and Reform ACT passed by Congress in February, 2012. By naming its selection of the initial six UAS research and test sites the FAA has taken an important step toward realizing the enormous economic impact this technology has to offer. According to […]

  The Drone User Group Network’s Drone Social Innovation Award is a $10,000 prize for the most socially beneficial, documented use of a drone platform costing less than $3,000. This prize is intended to spur innovation, investment, and attention to the positive role this technology and unmanned aircraft can play in our […]

The ability for an unmanned aircraft to Sense and Avoid, the equivalent of ‘Seeing and Avoiding’ other aircraft required by regulation for aircraft operating under FAA’s visual flight rules (VFR), has been said to be the Holy Grail for allowing UAS to operate beyond the visual line of sight of […]

Robert Blair isn’t waiting around for federal aviation officials to work out rules for UAS… Idaho farmer Robert Blair isn’t waiting around for federal aviation officials to work out rules for UAS… Nor should he. FAA has publicly stated that farmers can fly small UAS over their own property for […]