Navigating AMA Events: A Guide  

November 25, 2024 

AMA has been hard at work with the FAA to lessen RID and altitude restrictions for our members. Understanding what options are available for your upcoming event, whether it be sanctioned or unsanctioned, may prove confusing for some members and Event Managers/Contest Directors. Below you will find more detailed information regarding your options. 

Link to AMA Gov Affairs Blog with this information:

https://amablog.modelaircraft.org/amagov/2024/11/25/navigating-ama-events-a-guide/

For a better look at the above flow chart, click here.

Remote ID Exemptions 

There are a few options for AMA events to operate without the need to broadcast Remote ID (RID) information.  

1. National Authorization to Exempt Remote ID  

Sanctioned AMA events in both controlled and uncontrolled airspace are eligible for an RID waiver under this National Authorization.  This RID waiver allows AMA members to operate without needing to broadcast Remote ID information.  

The CD or EM is required to request a NOTAM to obtain an RID exemption waiver.  

1. FRIA Site 

Both sanctioned and unsanctioned events held at an existing FRIA (FAA-Recognized Identification Area) site can operate without the need to broadcast Remote ID information. 

To apply for FRIA recognition, reach out to FRIA@modelaircraft.org.  

1. Authorization to Exempt RID 

Both sanctioned and unsanctioned events can be held at a flying site that have been granted an Authorization that exempts the RID requirement for daily operations, including events. This exemption essentially provides the same type of RID relief as a FRIA, but without a FRIA designation to the club site. 

If your club site is on or near airport property, reach out to lucasr@modelaircraft.org to begin the RID exemption process.  

Altitude Exemptions 

There are a few options for AMA events to operate at higher altitudes. 

1. National Altitude Authorization Wavier 

Sanctioned AMA events within uncontrolled airspace are eligible for an altitude waiver under this National Authorization. This waiver grants authorization to fly up to the upper threshold of the Class G airspace—either 700 or 1200 ft AGL. Which altitude your sanctioned event can receive depends on your specific location in relation to controlled airspace.  

The CD or EM is required to request a NOTAM to obtain an FAA altitude waiver.  

1. LOA/7711-1 

Sanctioned and unsanctioned AMA events may operate at a flying site with an existing LOA/7711-1 agreement that grants them the ability to fly at a previously established higher altitude for day-to-day operations, as well as events.  

1. Airspace Authorization 

Sanctioned events being held within controlled airspace may be eligible to receive an airspace authorization for an altitude higher than permitted on the FAA UAS Facility Map. Contact amagov@modelaircraft.org to request the authorization for a specific altitude for the duration of your event. 

AMA wants to make sure our events are enjoyable and help to reduce burdens when possible. We are consistently working with the FAA to further reduce RID requirements for our members and events, as well as finding ways to increase altitude limits for sites in both controlled and uncontrolled airspace. If you have any further questions regarding RID and altitude waivers, please visit the AMA Government Affairs blog or contact amagov@modelaircraft.org.  

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To issue a NOTAM for your event, you need to:

Filing a NOTAM

Link to AMA Gov Affairs Blog with this information:

https://amablog.modelaircraft.org/amagov/2024/05/29/filing-a-notam-2/

May 29, 2024 

The requirement to issue a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) is becoming more common within the AMA community. Sanctioned event altitude waivers, sanctioned event Remote ID exemptions, and AMA clubs’ FAA Airspace Authorizations to exempt operators at the site from broadcasting Remote ID all require that a NOTAM be filed.

To assist with this process, AMA has developed the following step-by-step tutorial:

1. Call (877) 487-6867 between 24 hours and 7 days before your event or at least 24 hours before the day you will begin flying.
2. The NOTAM system will recognize your state by the phone number from which you are calling.
   • If it is different from the location of the event, press 1 and follow the prompts to enter the correct state.
3. After your state has been confirmed, you will be directed to a representative. It is possible that the information you will be asked to provide will vary slightly depending on the state/representative. Likely questions include:
   • For what is the NOTAM being issued?
     • Answer UAS operations.
   • Have you issued this NOTAM in the last 30 days?
   • Is the NOTAM going to be at an airport, or would you like to provide latitude/longitude?
     • Answer latitude/longitude and then provide it in degrees, minutes, seconds.
   • What altitude is included in the NOTAM?
   • How much is the nautical mile (nm) radius for the NOTAM?
     • ¼-nm radius is sufficient for most events, but ½-nm radius may be needed for very large flying sites.
   • What is the date of the NOTAM?
   • What is the start time?
     • They will need a specific time with time zone. If your event is multiple days long, using the same start and finish time for each day will allow you to issue one NOTAM. However, different start/finish times each day will require multiple NOTAMs. AMA would encourage you to issue the NOTAM for the same start/finish time for every day of your AMA sanctioned event.
   • What is the end time?
     • See above “start time” information.
   • The representative will then likely put you on hold while they verify location. They may have additional questions when they return regarding the location.
   • You will then provide your initials and be asked if you are an individual or representing a group.
     • Answer Academy of Model Aeronautics.
4. At the end of the call, the representative will give you a NOTAM number. Be sure to write that number down and email it to waivers@modelaircraft.org if the NOTAM is required for sanctioned event waivers. AMA needs this number in order to issue your sanctioned event altitude waiver and/or Remote ID authorization certificate. Be sure to include the event name and sanction number in the email.
   • AMA does not need your NOTAM number if the NOTAM was filed for your flying site’s FAA Airspace Authorization to exempt your site from Remote ID for day-to-day operations. However, this agreement does require that the NOTAM be canceled when operations are completed or are not being conducted. In order to do so, call the same number and have the NOTAM number ready to provide to the representative.