AMA joins DOT task force on UAS registration
No matter when you joined AMA, we hope it has been and will continue to be apparent that advocating on your behalf is one of AMA’s principal concerns. AMA has worked zealously to ensure that we are part of the conversation with matters involving any type of regulation of sUAS. Our members have helped us by submitting comments to congress and legislative leaders, following and adhering to AMA’s safety guidelines, and by continuing to provide training and a community to those interested in flying safely and responsibly.
As you might be aware, in a press conference on Monday October 19, 2015, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced its intent to require registration for certain sUAS. AMA was asked to join the task force developed to provide recommendations for registration requirements and processing. AMA’s Government and Regulatory Affairs Director Rich Hanson will represent the AMA in this effort. His standing was clear throughout the meetings—AMA agrees that registration might be appropriate at some level; however, before the process can be established, AMA believes that a threshold must be identified that will appropriately determine which platforms and what aircraft with what capabilities will require registration and which ones will not.
AMA will provide its members with a summary of the meetings in upcoming issues of AMA Today and AMA Air when the task force has completed its work. November 20, 2015, is the established deadline for the task force to submit its recommendations.
AMA believes that traditional model aircraft, as well as the “toy-type” drones with minimal capability should and will fall below the threshold and not be subject to the registration process. AMA has been clear in its position that any required registration process “should not become a prohibitive burden for recreational users who fly for fun and educational purposes and who have operated harmoniously within our communities for decades.”
AMA will not support any proposal that calls for the registration of any sUAS that falls below an established threshold and is resolute in its position that all forms of traditional model aircraft must remain exempt from the registration process.
The timetable at the right provides a summary of the actions related to sUAS rulemaking and AMA’s actions. For additional information, visit www.modelaircraft.org/gov. If you are interested in assisting the AMA with these efforts, visit amafoundation.modelaircraft.org/donate to make a contribution to the cause.
April 2009 FAA began its internal rule development and review process, still ongoing.
May 2009 AMA formed its Model Aviation Standards Development Workgroup, meeting weekly for several hours.
February 2011 AMA letter-writing campaign commenced, achieving 90,000 responses.
June 2011 FAA pushed back its sUAS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to December 2011.
July 2011 Initial target date for release of sUAS NPRM.
September 12, 2012 Inaugural meeting held between AMA as a community-based organization and the UAS Integration Office management.
January 2013 Formal request submitted to the FAA to be recognized as a community-based organization.
May 2014 At the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) Expo in Orlando, Florida, discussion on the enactment process for Public Law 112-95 FAA took place.
July 2014 Meetings with FAA senior management on community-based organization recognition, enactment of Public Law 112-95, and FAA’s interpretive rule.
August 2014 The FAA granted comment extension at the request of AMA.
August 2014 Filed a petition with the Federal Court to review the FAA Interpretive Rule (currently being held in abeyance). AMA members submitted approximately 33,000 comments to the FAA regarding the interpretation of the Special Rule for Model Aircraft.
November 2014 Latest sUAS NPRM’s expected release date.
December 2014 AMA partnered with AUVSI and the Small UAV Coalition to develop a safety campaign for sUAS, Know Before You Fly, www.knowbeforeyoufly.org.
February 2015 The FAA published its NPRM for sUAS. (April 2015, AMA members submitted more than 3,000 comments in response to proposed rules.)
September 2015 Congressional deadline for implementation of sUAS rules.
September 2015 Congressional Reauthorization Bill passed in February 2012 granting “special provision” to protect aeromodeling, set to expire. AMA leaders submitted suggested text for revision in March 2015 (ongoing).
October 2015 AMA joins the Department of Transportation task force on UAS registration.
