Information received at the recent AUVSI conference indicates the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for FAA’s proposed regulation for small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) is on track for release in mid December 2011. It’s anticipated the new rule will address model aircraft operations and will provide a provision for community based organizations such as the AMA to submit their own set of standards. If adopted, these standards will provide the modeling community an alternative means of complying with the sUAS rule. At this point AMA is hard at work in developing a set of standards aimed at allowing the aeromodeling enthusiasts to continue enjoying the hobby in much the same way as they do today.
AMA is also preparing for the release of the NPRM. Once released there will be a 90-120 day public comment period allowing AMA members and other stakeholders the opportunity to comment on the proposed rule. AMA is working toward providing its members a simple and effective means for responding to the NPRM. It will also provide analysis and commentary on the impact of the proposed rule and suggestions for improving the rule before the Final sUAS Rule is published in late 2012.
Senate Democrats urge FAA bill settlement
The US Senate is urging renewed talks on the FAA re-authorization bill; however, progress continues to be is stymied over labor issues and federal subsidies for rural commuter air service.
Continue readingLightSquared will not be allowed to harm GPS: FCC
FCC looking for alternative solutions for LightSquared’s proposed satelite based broadband Internet service.
Read an article from The Chicago Tribune
Continue readingTurning Our Back on Technology is Not The Answer
The advent of unmanned aircraft in the US civil environment brings with it a whole host of societal and cultural issues that go far beyond the concern and perceived need to regulate model airplanes. A recent article on the use of sUAS to do aerial “hacking” and other nefarious activities should make us all pause to consider what’s happening in our National Air Space: https://www.darkreading.com/security/vulnerabilities/231300240/index.html
Continue readingFAA Workers Return to Work
In a bipartisan move, a deal was struck today to end the FAA shutdown… However, the long-term FAA re-authorization bill is still stalemated over labor issues and federal subsidies for rural commuter air service.
Continue readingFAA’s James Sizemore addresses aeromodeling questions
Should I buy a Turbine? Will model manufacturing be curtailed as a result of the proposed sUAS regulation? These questions are best answered in a video clip from the AMA open membership meeting at Joe Nall Week, 5/12/2011. In response to a member’s question, James Sizemore from the FAA Unmanned Aircraft Program Office (UAPO) addressed these issues in his remarks.
Continue readingFAA shutdown likely to continue into September
Read reports from USA Today and MSNBC about FAA funding and re-authorization stalled over labor issues and funding for rural commuter air service.
Continue readingProposed Broadband Cited As Harmful Interference to GPS
A report to the FCC by the National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation and Timing Systems Engineering Forum finds LightSquared’s proposed broadband system “poses a significant potential for harmful interference” to Global Positioning System (GPS) services.
Continue readingHappy 75th anniversary Academy of Model Aeronautics
East Central Indiana gears up for AMA’s 75th Anniversary Event. For the past 20 years the AMA has called Muncie, Indiana home and area media outlets are paying tribute.
Continue readingGPS, Safety Board, and No Fly Zone Issues
General aviation (GA) safety has made the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) top 10 most-wanted list for 2011. AOPA takes exception with the board’s findings.
Read the full article here from Aviation Week.