2021 AMA GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS REPORT
By Tyler Dobbs, Government Affairs Director | tylerd@modelaircraft.org
AMA RECENTLY RELEASED its 2021 Government Affairs Report, which highlights some of the work and accomplishments from the past year. Although 2021 brought its fair share of challenges, AMA membership worked together to implement new rules, successfully mitigate risks to fly at higher altitudes, and advocate for our great hobby.
I encourage everyone to visit www.modelaircraft.org/amainaction to view the full report.
FAA-Recognized Identification Areas
As most of you know, the FAA published the Final Rule on Remote ID in January 2021, and one of the three ways to comply with the new rule is for a flying site to apply to become an FAA Recognized Identification Area (FRIA). The process to apply to become a FRIA will not begin until September 16, 2022, and recreational UAS operators are not required to comply with the rule until September 2023.
After the FAA finalizes the process, AMA will notify and assist all clubs that wish to apply for FRIA status. For a club’s flying site to apply to become a FRIA, it must be under the umbrella of a community-based organization (CBO), such as AMA.
Although no CBO has yet been officially recognized, we anticipate that process to begin after the release of AC 91-57C, likely in late spring or early summer of 2022. When AMA is granted CBO status, all AMA chartered clubs will fall under AMA’s CBO umbrella, and flying sites wishing to apply for FRIA status will be able to do so after the September 16, 2022, date.
To remain current with the most recent government-related news, regularly visit the AMA Government Affairs blog at https://amablog.modelaircraft.org/amagov.
If you have any further questions or concerns, contact the Government Affairs department at (765) 287-1256 or amagov@modelaircraft.org.
