AMA appointed to a high-level advisory committee
We are excited to share that AMA has been appointed to the FAA’s Drone Advisory Committee. Dave Mathewson, AMA’s executive director, will represent the AMA as he joins a small group of executive-level stakeholders from across the aviation industry to discuss UAS integration into our nation’s airspace, working to set the path for further UAS integration, while maintaining the safety of our skies for all.
The FAA’s Drone Advisory Committee is a broad-based, high-level advisory committee/team facilitated by the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) that will provide the FAA with advice on key UAS integration issues by helping to identify challenges and prioritize improvements. AMA members have a strong safety record because of our well-established safety guidelines and educational programs.
AMA’s participation in the Drone Advisory Committee reflects the progress made in our outreach and advocacy programs during the past eight years, and the appointment to this high-level committee demonstrates AMA’s respected role in the UAS and aviation industry.
AMA’s government affairs team and advocacy efforts have raised the AMA’s profile in the aviation community and the emerging unmanned aircraft industry. Top-level involvement in the regulatory and legislative process has ensured that the aeromodeling community has a voice in the development of new laws, regulations, and policies that impact our hobby.
Congratulations and a job well done go to the entire government affairs team. We look forward to sharing more about AMA, our programs, and experience during the upcoming committee meetings that were scheduled to begin September 16.
Small Unmanned Aircraft Rule
I want to address some recent confusion as to whether the new federal commercial drone rules (Small Unmanned Aircraft Rule Part 107) impact AMA members and model aircraft enthusiasts who fly for recreational and educational purposes.
I want to reaffirm that Part 107 does not change anything for AMA members. As an AMA member, you are exempt from the additional regulations in Part 107 as long as you are flying for recreational or educational purposes and fully complying with AMA’s safety guidelines. This is what Congress intended when it passed the Special Rule for Model Aircraft in the 2012 FAA Modernization and Reform Act, also known as Section 336. And, as stated in previous communications, this also means you do not need any additional certification to fly.
For those flying FPV, we understand that a recent Forbes article has made the issue of regulatory compliance even more confusing. In that article, the FAA was quoted as saying that as of August 29, anyone flying FPV needs to obtain a Remote Pilot certificate and follow the provisions of Part 107.
Although this is true for anyone who is not fully complying with Section 336, based on pending litigation with the FAA, we are advising AMA members that flying FPV with a spotter under the Special Rule for Model Aircraft remains acceptable as long as you continue to fly according to the AMA National Model Aircraft Safety Code and AMA’s safety guidelines for FPV operations in Document #550.
Please be assured that we have been involved in ongoing conversations with the FAA about FPV flying and other related areas of concern. We anticipate that the FAA will clarify the Interpretative Rule by the end of the year, which will help resolve the FPV issue for good.
So, why can AMA members continue flying FPV the same way as before?
As you may also be aware, in August 2014, AMA filed a petition with the U.S. Court of Appeals asking for a judiciary review of the FAA’s interpretation of the Special Rule for Model Aircraft (the Interpretative Rule).
As stated in our petition, we believe the FAA’s Interpretative Rule misinterprets the intent of Congress in several areas, including the requirement to remain within visual line of sight of the operator as it relates to the use of FPV goggles. Right now, the court proceedings are on hold as the FAA reviews more than 33,000 public comments submitted in response to the Interpretative Rule.
With the court proceedings held in abeyance, enforcement actions based upon the provisions in the Interpretative Rule are also on hold. Until the FAA completes its review of the public comments, publishes its conclusions, and makes any further clarification/revision to the Interpretative Rule, the status quo remains in effect for AMA members. It should be noted, however, that this does not preclude the FAA from taking enforcement action against careless and reckless acts that truly endanger the national airspace.
In the meantime, we encourage all AMA members to continue flying and enjoying our hobby as you have before, following AMA’s safety guidelines and educational programming. Thank you for your patience as we continue to advocate and protect our hobby of flying model aircraft.
Although AMA members operating strictly for hobby and recreational purposes are not subject to Part 107, the FAA still requires hobbyists to comply with the registration requirement in Part 48 at https://registermyuas.faa.gov. This is an issue we are working to resolve. You can read answers to frequently asked questions at www.modelaircraft.org/aboutama/faa-uas-faq.aspx. You can learn more about FAA’s Part 107 at www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=20515.
—Chad Budreau
chadb@modelaircraft.org
Public Relations & Government Affairs Director
