AMA Members: Senate Considering Amendments to FAA Reauthorization Act

April 14, 2016

Since many EAA members are also AMA members, we wanted to pass along a message from the organization regarding the U.S. Senate's consideration of amendments to the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2016.

The U.S. Senate is currently considering amendments to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2016. We need your help today to ensure this proposed legislation fully protects the model aircraft community.

Click here now to urge your Senators to support Senator Inhofe’s amendment number 3596 to the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2016.

As you know, we are pleased that the Senate’s proposed legislation preserves a community-based approach to managing the recreational community by maintaining the Special Rule for Model Aircraft. However, at the same time, we are concerned with additional provisions in this bill that could detrimentally impact our community.

These new 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. The bill also requires modelers to obtain permission from air traffic control when flying within 5 miles of towered airports which could jeopardize hundreds of existing flying sites. And if passed, the bill would require model aircraft enthusiasts to take an online FAA safety test and carry proof of passing the test when flying. These new directives would undermine the model aircraft activity and detract from the creativity, innovation and enjoyment of the hobby.

By supporting Senator Inhofe’s amendment number 3596, you can help stop this from happening. This critical amendment would maintain the basic intent of the Senate’s proposed legislation, while lessening the negative impact on the model aircraft community.

As always, thank you for your support of AMA and your efforts to protect our community.

Dave Mathewson

Executive Director, AMA

AMA Member Message to Congress:

Dear Senator [Insert Name],

I am writing to you as one of the 188,000 members of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), the largest nationwide community-based organization of model aircraft enthusiasts. Today, I want to ask for your support of Senator Inhofe’s amendment number 3596 to the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2016 (SB 2658).

AMA is pleased that the Senate’s proposed legislation preserves a community-based approach to managing the recreational community by maintaining the Special Rule for Model Aircraft. However, at the same time, we are concerned with provisions in this bill that could detrimentally impact our community.

These new 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. If passed, the proposed legislation would put new requirements on model aircraft operations within 5 miles of airports and potentially jeopardize hundreds of existing flying sites that have operated safely and harmoniously within our communities for decades. This bill also 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. These new directives would significantly undermine the model aircraft activity and detract from the creativity, innovation and enjoyment of the hobby.

Model aviation is also much more than a hobby. It’s an effective tool for inspiring young people to explore careers in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) that are increasingly vital to our future. That’s why Senator Inhofe’s amendment is so important to me and my community of hobbyists who have an impeccable safety record. This amendment would maintain the basic intent of the Senate’s proposed legislation, while lessening the negative impact on the model aircraft community.

Please show your support for AMA and the model aircraft community by contacting Senators Thune and Nelson and voicing your support for Senator Inhofe’s amendment number 3596 to the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2016 (SB 2658).

Sincerely,

Specific Message to Senators Thune and Nelson 

Dear Senator [Thune or Nelson],

I am writing to you as one of the 188,000 members of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), the largest nationwide, community-based organization of model aircraft enthusiasts. I want to thank you for preserving the community-based approach to managing the recreational community by maintaining the Special Rule for Model Aircraft in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2016 (SB 2658). I also want to ask for your support of Senate Inhofe’s amendment number 3596 to this legislation.

AMA is concerned with provisions in this bill that could detrimentally impact our community. These new provisions 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. If passed, the proposed legislation would put new requirements on model aircraft operations within 5 miles of airports and potentially jeopardize hundreds of existing flying sites that have operated safely and harmoniously within our communities for decades. This bill also 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. These new directives would significantly undermine the model aircraft activity and detract from the creativity, innovation and enjoyment of the hobby.

Model aviation is also much more than a hobby. It’s an effective tool for inspiring young people to explore careers in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) that are increasingly vital to our future. That’s why Senator Inhofe’s amendment number 3596 is so important to me and my community of hobbyists who have an impeccable safety record. This amendment would maintain the basic intent of the Senate’s proposed legislation, while lessening the negative impact on the model aircraft community.

Please show your support for AMA and the model aircraft community by contacting Senators Thune and Nelson and voicing your support for Senator Inhofe’s amendment number 3596 to the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2016 (SB 2658).

Sincerely,