The Academy Of Model Aeronautics Advises Its Members That The Senate Bill Is Disappointing For Responsible Model Aircraft Operators

It may seem odd to link model aircraft flying with the FAA Reauthorization Bill, but because of the issue with drones, model aircraft operators had reason to fear that severe restrictions were on the way. The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) advised their members that membership participation in the process helped limit the damage the bill caused, but all is not well.

The AMA said the Senate version of the FAA reauthorization bill importantly preserved the Special Rule for Model Aircraft and affirmed the importance of a community-based approached to managing the model aviation community. Unfortunately, however, the Senate did not incorporate some of AMA’s suggestions into the final version of the Senate bill. AMA is disappointed with several of the provisions that passed the Senate, which could undermine their community’s model aircraft activity and detract from the creativity, innovation and enjoyment of the hobby.

One of the provisions would require all UAS, including model aircraft, to meet new FAA design and production standards and impose unnecessary regulation on hobbyists who often build their own models at home. This legislation also puts new requirements on model aircraft operations within 5 miles of airports, potentially jeopardizing hundreds of existing flying sites that have operated safely and harmoniously within our communities for decades. And finally, the bill creates an unnecessary and unsubstantiated requirement for AMA members ages 13 and above to take an online FAA safety test and carry proof of passing the test when flying.

While the Senate bill is disappointing, the AMA says it’s still has opportunities to shape the final legislation and they ask for continued help and support from the membership to achieve the best possible outcome.

The AMA says the more favorable House version of the FAA reauthorization bill still needs to go to a floor vote. This bill provides a clear definition of a community-based organization (CBO) and tasks the FAA with developing a process for recognizing qualifying CBOs, both long-overdue tasks for the agency. In addition, the House bill makes clear that model aircraft can be used as a teaching tool for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), as well as aeronautics.

Once the House and the Senate bills are passed, they go to a conference committee for another round of revisions and another Congressional vote. This process could take many more weeks or possibly months before being presented to the President to sign into law.

The AMA says they will continue to work with allies in Congress to protect and strengthen their long-standing, safe and educational hobby.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.modelaircraft.org/gov