Dave Mathewson, executive director of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), which is the world’s largest community-based organization whose members fly model aircraft for recreational and educational purposes, has released the following statement on the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA’s) new broad-based advisory committee and the agency’s plans to make it easier for students to fly unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for educational and research purposes.
“AMA applauds the FAA for making it clear that students can use UAS, including model aircraft, for educational purposes. For years, model aircraft have been used for science, technology, education and math (STEM) education without burdensome requirements on teachers and students. In recent years, AMA advocated that new regulations for small UAS not encumber this important educational process and, most recently, asked Congress to clarify educational use in the next FAA reauthorization bill.
“We strongly believe that model aircraft serve as aviation’s stepping stone. Neil Armstrong, aviation pioneer Burt Rutan, and astronaut Robert “Hoot” Gibson — all lifelong AMA members — are just a few examples of this promising career path. We have no doubt that STEM education programs across the country will benefit from improved access to this technology.
“In addition, we are pleased that the FAA has announced a new drone advisory committee to work on UAS integration alongside the agency. As AMA participated in both the UAS registration taskforce and the micro UAS aviation rulemaking committee, we understand the need for a diverse set of voices to advise the agency and believe it is critical for the hobbyist community to be well-represented.
We look forward to continuing our work with all stakeholders to ensure the safety of our skies.”
Source: Press Release
I’m a member of the AMA and am pleased with the AMA’s continuing efforts to lobby on the behalf of all small UAV owners….now if they would just lobby to get ride of the mandatory requirement for a fixed wing pilots license to fly commercially. I could care less what Bernoulli figured out to create lift on fixed wing aircraft, and certainly am not worried about how much frost is going to accumulate on my small UAV hovering for 3 mins above a new development looking for some low altitude images. All these recent changes to the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 are great, but the only thing that is going to help us small UAV owners contribute to the growth of the economy in a huge way is get rid of the 333 waiver and allow us to fly and make a buck. Oh sure, big corporations and educational institutes will have no problem with their huge budgets and staff to meet the current regulations, but what about those small guys in rural areas just looking to supplement their income or us retired guys trying to supplement our ever dwindling social security check.