Association Will Review Proposed Rule To Assure Separation Between Commercial And Hobbyist Use

Model aircraft flown recreationally will be treated differently than UAVs flown for commercial use. That's the assessment of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) following a preliminary review of the NPRM published by the FAA proposing rules for the use of unmanned aircraft.

“While we have not yet fully reviewed the proposed rule, we can say that regulations relating to the commercial use of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) should not apply to the longstanding, educational hobby of flying model aircraft," The organization said in a statement. "The preliminary information ... indicates that the proposed regulation will treat the recreational use of small unmanned aircraft separately from that of commercial use, and we anticipate the rule will acknowledge the special provisions provided to model aircraft by Congress in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. The AMA will review the proposed rule in more detail to ensure that the rights and privileges of the aeromodeling community are upheld.
 
“As the nationwide community-based organization for the recreational and personal use of sUAS, the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) has created relevant safety guidelines, best practices and operating principles that have allowed enthusiasts to operate their aircraft and safely use this technology for more than seven decades.

“AMA’s 78 years of experience in managing and overseeing the operation of model aircraft shows that a voluntary, community-based approach to managing this activity is far more effective in ensuring enthusiasts operate their aircraft in a safe and responsible manner.
 
“To this end the AMA has joined with the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, the Small UAV Coalition and other members of the small UAS and hobby industry in launching the “Know Before You Fly” campaign. This educational outreach has been widely accepted and heralded as a beneficial and effective means of educating the new sUAS enthusiasts and addressing inappropriate or improper use of this technology.
 
“AMA is committed to preserving the safe, enjoyable and educational hobby of flying model aircraft – without the need for unnecessary, onerous and burdensome government regulations.”

FMI: www.modelaircraft.org