Dave Mathewson, executive director of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), the world’s largest community-based organization whose members fly model aircraft for recreational and educational purposes, has issued the following statement on the implementation of the small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) rule by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA):
“We would like to congratulate the FAA on the implementation of the small UAS rule. The rule resolves many uncertainties in the law and creates an enhanced regulatory framework for civil and commercial UAS operations. While our members fly for recreational and educational purposes, we’re excited about the applications and benefits of commercial UAS and how the rule advances the next frontier in aviation.
“We are also pleased that the implementation of the small UAS rule codifies parts of the Special Rule for Model Aircraft, which helps to preserve an important exemption for all AMA members from additional regulation. The Special Rule for Model Aircraft was passed by Congress in 2012 and allows community-based organizations, such as AMA, to lead risk mitigation and the development of appropriate safety guidelines for the operation of model aircraft and the personal use of unmanned aerial devices.
“For more than 80 years, AMA has managed the hobbyist community by providing robust safety guidelines and training programs to our members. As new aviation technologies and modeling disciplines emerge, we continue to evolve our programming for our more than 190,000 members around the country. Thanks to our well-established educational programs and community-based safety guidelines, our members have a strong safety record.
“In the coming months, we will continue to encourage Congress to strengthen and improve the Special Rule for Model Aircraft in the next FAA reauthorization bill, which will enable us to further protect our hobby of flying model aircraft. We also look forward to working with policymakers and industry partners in expanding our outreach programs such as the Know Before You Fly campaign aimed at teaching new flyers how to fly safely and responsibly.”
