Historic First: Federal Law Protects Model Aviation
On Tuesday, February 14, President Obama signed into law the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. Contained in this law is language that instructs the FAA Administrator not to enact rules affecting model aircraft activity conducted within the safety programming of a nationwide community-based organization, such as AMA.
For the first time in history, federal law now contains a provision protecting model aviation from burdensome and overreaching regulation.
The passage of this bill is a monumental achievement for the hobby and for the Academy of Model Aeronautics, and it reflects the culmination of AMA’s efforts during the past four years. Obtaining this legislative safeguard is a significant accomplishment and represents your membership and AMA dollars at work in advocating for and protecting model aviation.
This law indicates recognition of the effectiveness of AMA’s safety program and goes a long way toward protecting model aviation from regulation; however, it should not be viewed as a total exemption from regulatory oversight. The FAA will always have authority over, and responsibility for, maintaining the safety of the national airspace, and modelers have the responsibility of operating their model aircraft in a safe and responsible manner.
The aeromodeling community will continue to be subject to policies and procedures governing model aircraft operations in the national airspace, whether they are part of AMA’s community-based safety program or regulatory in nature. There are many unanswered questions regarding how the model aviation provisions in the reauthorization bill will be enacted, and we are still in the early stages of working through these issues.
Moving forward, AMA will seek a viable means of enacting this legislative provision and establishing a mutually agreed-upon set of criteria to ensure the continued safe operation of model aircraft in the national airspace.
But for now there is cause to celebrate. Establishing a provision protecting model aviation in law is an unprecedented achievement, and AMA members throughout the country have expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the hard work and efforts put forth on their behalf.
The sUAS rule remains an issue and the NPRM is on the horizon. This is still a significant matter for the modeling community. Please make sure everyone you know is aware of the impending regulation, and ensure that everyone who shares our love for this hobby is well informed and participates in the response to the proposed sUAS rule when the NPRM is published.
Timely updates regarding the sUAS rulemaking can be found on Facebook by liking “AMAGov” and on Twitter at Twitter.com/AMAGov.
Read the special rule for aeromodeling in the FAA Reauthorization Bill recently passed by Congress. For additional background, visit www.modelaircraft.org/gov.
—Rich Hanson Government and Regulatory Affairs [email protected]
Reaction from aeromodelers
Comments have been edited for space.
Scott O'Connor — Sharon Springs, NY
Without a doubt, praise is due the AMA for their attentive involvement with the FAA's Proposed Rulemaking process. We, the membership, as an organization, are due some credit for maintaining our participation in the AMA, as there is strength in numbers. We should also take pride in the great tradition that is the spine of the AMA as well as our parent international organization.
At the root of our tension is liberty. We don't like people messing with our liberty, and how many things represent liberty better than fleeing "the surly bonds of Earth," defying gravity, taking flight? Let's put our hands together and our best foot forward as an organization — not as a concern in a fight against our government's regulations, but as fellow citizens of this democracy, leaders and authorities on the subject at hand, in our continuing pursuit to ensure the safety, longevity, and liberties of our hobby in a responsible manner.
Keith Jarvis — Willis, TX
This is a very positive step and I agree that we should not let up on our commitment to keep our hobby strong and safe. We just cannot ever become complacent in what we love and enjoy. A really big thanks to all that are on the front lines and behind the scenes at AMA. I would also like to give a really big thanks to the representatives that have worked on these issues and continue to work on these issues, and let them know how much I (we) appreciate their efforts.
Tim Toutant — Chesterfield, MI
This just shows when we, as a group, get involved, great things can happen. As a safety professional, we as a whole can either make or break our hobby/sport. Thanks AMA and all the members who wrote to their congressional people. Many more years of happy and safe flying.
Dale Simmons — Antwerp, NY
Thank you AMA and everyone who wrote in to the FAA on the Proposed Rulemaking. I really appreciate saving my hobby of 45+ years. Governmental regulations have no place in a hobby such as this. We fly, we build, and we meet to converse and have fun. We police ourselves, and no government regulations are needed. The fact that our liability protection has such high limits of coverage and is so inexpensive is because we do not pose any threat to others or property — we have the AMA suggested guidelines to keep us all safe at the field. Thank you AMA and everyone who wrote in to the FAA on the Proposed Rulemaking.
Bill Langreder — Calumet City, IL
I think through the years the AMA has demonstrated more than any other entity that certain groups can successfully govern themselves. I urge anyone that flies anywhere to join the AMA. It just makes sense. The liability insurance alone and the low (very low) cost in itself should encourage non-members to join.
When the federal government makes a decision in our favor I'm sure it has reflected on our past safety record and personal injury/property damage insurance and our pledge to fly safely under self-imposed rules, regulations, and guidelines. I urge anyone who chooses not to join the AMA to familiarize yourself with our mission statement, visit our website, and generally respect our hobby and equipment as we do.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
