FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 19, 2017
CONTACT: Allison Haley, media@modelaircraft.org, (202) 777-3509
AMA Statement on Federal Court of Appeals Ruling on the FAA Registration Rule
MUNCIE, Ind. – Rich Hanson, President of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), today issued the following statement on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruling in the case of John Taylor V. Michael Huerta, Federal Aviation Administration:
“AMA is encouraged to see the Court affirm the strength of the Special Rule for Model Aircraft, otherwise known as Section 336, under which our members operate. For decades, AMA members have registered their aircraft with AMA and have followed our community-based safety programming. It is our belief that a community-based program works better than a federally mandated program to manage the recreational community.
“We have long held that federal registration of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) makes sense at an appropriate threshold of weight, capability and other safety-related characteristics. However, federal registration shouldn’t apply at such a low threshold that it includes toys. It also shouldn’t burden those who have operated harmoniously within our communities for decades, and who already comply with AMA’s registration system.”
The Academy of Model Aeronautics, founded in 1936, continues to be devoted to national airspace safety. It serves as the nation’s collective voice for approximately 200,000 modelers in 2,400 clubs in the United States and Puerto Rico. Headquartered in Muncie, Indiana, AMA is a membership organization representing those who fly model aircraft for recreation and educational purposes. For more information, visit www.modelaircraft.org.
