AMA MEETS WITH THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
By Tyler Dobbs, Government Affairs Director | tylerd@modelaircraft.org
AMA RECENTLY MET with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), an agency within the White House that assists the president in meeting policy, budget, management, and regulatory objectives, to discuss the importance of Advisory Circular (AC) 91-57C and its release. Although it was expected to be released sometime in late 2020, the AC has been delayed at the OMB because of President Joe Biden’s regulatory freeze.
The AC contains the safety requirements that recreational users are to follow, details a process for community-based organization (CBO) recognition, information regarding the knowledge and safety test, and operating requirements for night flying in controlled airspace.
After AC 91-57C is released, AMA members should have a path to resume night operations in controlled airspace. Additionally, AMA will apply to become an officially recognized CBO. The requirements to become a CBO, as listed in Section 349 Exception for Recreational Aircraft, are as follows:
Community-Based Organization
Defined: In this section, the term “community-based organization” means a membership-based association entity that:
1) is described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
2) is exempt from tax under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
3) the mission of which is demonstrably the furtherance of model aviation;
4) provides a comprehensive set of safety guidelines for all aspects of model aviation addressing the assembly and operation of model aircraft and that emphasize safe aeromodeling operations within the National Airspace System and the protection and safety of individuals and property on the ground, and may provide a comprehensive set of safety rules and programming for the operation of unmanned aircraft that have the advanced flight capabilities enabling active, sustained, and controlled navigation of the aircraft beyond visual line of sight of the operator;
5) provides programming and support for any local charter organizations, affiliates, or clubs; and
6) provides assistance and support in the development and operation of locally designated model aircraft flying sites.
AMA and UASidekick have partnered to provide free Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) flight planning software to AMA members. They recently announced the new partnership to disseminate free recreational LAANC flight planning to nearly 175,000 UAS hobbyists who are members of AMA. The software allows pilots to file LAANC authorizations with the FAA when flying in controlled airspace via a web portal and mobile application. It includes additional flight planning tools, such as interactive maps, weather information, and flight logs.
In addition to access to free LAANC flight planning software, AMA members will be able to search for AMA flying sites, indicated by the AMA logo within the map, as well as all AMA sanctioned events hosted by AMA chartered clubs. AMA members will also receive a significant discount for purchasing the full UASidekick functionality for commercial and organizational UAS pilots.
UASidekick and AMA will provide training webinars to help UAS pilots understand the airspace and flight restrictions, as well as informational webinars on the industry and changing regulations.
Visit www.modelaircraft.org/laanc to learn more about LAANC and take advantage of this UASidekick opportunity.
