AMA recognized as the focal point for aeromodeling
On January 11, 2014, the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) entered into an agreement establishing the platform upon which the two organizations will jointly work to ensure the continued safe operation of model aircraft in the National Airspace System.
James Williams, executive manager of the FAA UAS Integration Office, and AMA President Bob Brown signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the main stage at the annual AMA Expo in Ontario, California.
Significance of the agreement
The signing of this landmark agreement is a momentous step forward and serves as a benchmark in the Academy’s efforts to safeguard model aviation. The document’s execution brings the FAA one step closer to fully enacting the Special Rule for Model Aircraft established as part of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012.
Still to be realized is the FAA’s formal recognition of the AMA as a community-based organization as described by Congress and the agency’s acknowledgment of AMA’s Safety Program as a means of substantiating safety guidelines and overseeing the operation of recreational unmanned aircraft.
The AMA has served as the national organization for model aviation for more than 77 years. During that time, the aeromodeling community has achieved an excellent safety record through adherence to AMA’s National Model Aircraft Safety Code. Under the agreement, the Academy will maintain its comprehensive safety program, including guidelines for emerging technologies such as recreational sUAS.
Roles and responsibilities under the MOU
- AMA will serve as a focal point for the aeromodeling community, the hobby industry, and the FAA to communicate relevant and timely safety information.
- AMA will foster a positive and cooperative environment within the aeromodeling community toward the FAA and any applicable regulations.
- The FAA’s UAS Integration Office will serve as the point of contact for addressing issues of mutual concern.
- The FAA will review and advise the AMA on its safety program.
- The FAA will educate FAA field employees regarding AMA’s model aircraft operating standards and the latest aeromodeling technologies, and will foster a reciprocal cooperative attitude toward model aviation.
In a news release following the event, the FAA stated that it “believes AMA’s detailed safety procedures promote safe model operations and serve as an excellent resource for AMA members and other nonmember model aircraft enthusiasts alike.”
Special Rule for Model Aircraft and next steps
The Special Rule for Model Aircraft mandates that the FAA not regulate model aircraft operated within the safety programming of a community-based organization. The AMA and the FAA agree that working cooperatively as described in the MOU to ensure the continued safe operation of model aircraft meets the intent of the congressional directive.
The next step in the process is formal recognition of the AMA as a community-based organization. In a panel discussion during the AMA Expo, James Williams stated that he expects the FAA order establishing the community-based organization criteria to be finalized within the next 30 days.
- AMA submitted its proposal for recognition in January 2013.
- Establishment of the criteria will pave the way for FAA’s formal recognition of the AMA as the community-based organization specified in the FAA Reauthorization Bill.
- When the criteria are officially recognized, the AMA will update its safety program to include operating guidelines that comply with the safety criteria. New guidelines for model aircraft operations in proximity to airports will be communicated to AMA members and clubs, and the new procedures will be phased in throughout the coming year.
Relation to sUAS rulemaking
The enactment of the Special Rule for Model Aircraft does not necessarily mean that aspects of the sUAS rule won’t impact the aeromodeling community. Publication of the sUAS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) and call for public comment has been repeatedly delayed since 2011.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s latest update of significant rulemaking lists the planned publication date of the sUAS NPRM as November 2014. It is important that those who share this hobby are well informed and participate in the response to the proposed sUAS rule when the NPRM is published.
Timely updates regarding the sUAS rulemaking are available on the AMA website at www.modelaircraft.org, and can also be found on Facebook by Liking "AMAGov", and on Twitter at Twitter.com/AMAGov.
—Rich Hanson Government and Regulatory Affairs
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
