Know Before You Fly Campaign Launched
Partners and Launch
AMA, other leading unmanned aircraft industry associations, and the federal government have come together to conduct a new education campaign titled Know Before You Fly. The effort is being spearheaded by the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), and the Small UAV Coalition, in partnership with the FAA.
On December 22, 2014, AMA President Bob Brown; AUVSI Chief Executive Officer and President Michael Toscano; Small UAV Coalition Executive Director Michael Drobac; and FAA Administrator Michael Huerta announced the launch of this collaborative initiative aimed at educating sUAS enthusiasts in the safety considerations and best practices for operating these aircraft (often referred to by the media as drones).
Purpose
The campaign is intended to provide prospective small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) operators with the information and guidance they need to fly safely and responsibly. It aims to reach thousands of non-AMA members and non-modelers who have or plan to purchase sUAS (generally multirotors) for personal or commercial use.
Why the Campaign Is Needed
Growing interest in this technology, its relatively low cost, and its ease of operation have led to a proliferation of these platforms within our communities. Most new users are non-traditional modelers and are unfamiliar with aviation safety; many have little or no knowledge of the safety considerations or best practices for operating these unmanned aircraft.
AMA’s members have been safely flying model aircraft for nearly 80 years and have successfully integrated numerous technologies into the aeromodeling community. AMA believes it has an opportunity—and a responsibility—to share its expertise with those who are new to this technology and to help ensure these new enthusiasts learn to fly safely and responsibly.
Campaign Components
The campaign plans to partner with manufacturers and distributors to inform consumers and businesses about what they need to know before taking to the skies. The campaign includes:
- A website
- An educational video
- Point-of-sale materials
- A digital and social media campaign
These materials are intended to ensure prospective operators have the information and guidance they need before they fly a UAS.
Relation to AMA Safety Guidelines
The safety guidelines used in the campaign were extracted from AMA’s safety program and modified for use by non-AMA members. The initiative is not a “model aircraft” initiative per se, and it is not a change to the safety guidelines established for AMA members, nor to the National Model Aircraft Safety Code or AMA’s safety programming.
Model aircraft enthusiasts operating under the “Special Rule for Model Aircraft” remain governed by PL 112-95, Sec. 336 and AMA’s safety programming. AMA members should continue to operate in accordance with the AMA National Model Aircraft Safety Code and related safety documents.
Additional Intent
The Know Before You Fly campaign is also intended to counter negative media attention and growing anti-drone sentiment within communities. AMA believes most sUAS enthusiasts would choose to operate these platforms in a safe and responsible manner but are often uninformed and unaware of basic safety considerations.
More Information
For more information about the Know Before You Fly initiative, visit www.knowbeforeyoufly.org or follow the trend on Twitter with #KnowB4UFly.
— Rich Hanson Government and Regulatory Affairs
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
