Aloha,


     As the thread title noted, a new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Bill Was Introduced Today, which was the result of negotiations between House and Senate leaders.  There are several provisions in the bill that will impact our use of DJI products, and the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) is currently conducting a thorough assessment of the bill with their legal and government affairs teams.  DJI works with the AMA on issues concerning our use of DJI products.


     Some of the changes are positive and reflect the AMA's efforts to forcefully advocate for AMA members, and our hobby, inclusive of the non-commercial use of DJI products. The bill defines a community based organization (CBO) and allows the FAA to designate CBOs, something the AMA has championed for years.  At the same time, other provisions appear problematic, and allow the FAA more authority to further encroach on "our" hobby.


     You can read the entire 1200 page FAA reauthorization bill here, and the AMA will provide a more thorough analysis in the near future.  If these issues concern you, you may help by contacting your members of Congress.  The AMA web site can provide information to assist in this effort.  


     In my own opinion, these issues alone justify the membership fee for joining the AMA to help preserve the wonderful advantages and benefits of our use of DJI products.  The AMA is in constant cummunication with its membership unless the member deliberately stops that communication.


Aloha and Drone On!

Thanks for sharing this info

Interesting updates to see.

A CW Posted at 2018-9-23 00:52
Interesting updates to see.

Aloha CW,

     How do you like the 1200 page reauthorization.  Light reading like our drones!

Aloha and Drone On!

All of these regs are getting beyond the joke now. Council workers will be able to hand out on the spot fines here in the UK soon and confiscate drones and police can carry out body searches... crazy!

Great thread and great well-written OP.  THANKS

Hi, we appreciate sharing this information with our co-pilots. Have a safe flight always.

Just as info, our part starts on page 246.  The exemption for recreation use starts on page 282.   The whole thing runs thru page 348.   Only 102 pages, barely enuff to put you to sleep.   :-)
Also need to add pages 873 to 895

You have my interest. I just joined AMA.

Thanks for helping me to pay attention.

EdM Posted at 2018-9-23 06:10
Just as info, our part starts on page 246.  The exemption for recreation use starts on page 282.   The whole thing runs thru page 348.   Only 102 pages, barely enuff to put you to sleep.   :-)
Also need to add pages 873 to 895

Aloha Ed,

     Mahalo for the review and relevance information!  It is the entire FAA reauthorization, so drones are only a small part of it.  Still, it is good to follow the whole process.  Some parts are still being rewritten, so we have to pay serious attention.  The AMA is doing a good job of keeping the membership informed.  Are you aware of a comparable Part 107 organization doing the same thing?

     Mahalo again!

Aloha and Drone On!

Cetacean Posted at 2018-9-23 13:03
Aloha Ed,

     Mahalo for the review and relevance information!  It is the entire FAA reauthorization, so drones are only a small part of it.  Still, it is good to follow the whole process.  Some parts are still being rewritten, so we have to pay serious attention.  The AMA is doing a good job of keeping the membership informed.  Are you aware of a comparable Part 107 organization doing the same thing?

The AMA is the only one "that I know of" that gets involved at a local and national level.   It's the only one with lobbyist on capitol hill and several senators and representatives that were or currently are AMA members.   And I think that would be 336.

Mark The Droner Posted at 2018-9-23 03:50
Great thread and great well-written OP.  THANKS

Aloha Mark,

     The Post text is an adaptation of what was in the AMA Press Release to the membership.  Since it was their work and information, all I wanted to do was adapt it for the DJI Forum Membership.  So on behalf of the AMA, I accept your compliment for the AMA Government Services writers.  They do good work!

Aloha and Drone On!

DJI Gamora Posted at 2018-9-23 04:37
Hi, we appreciate sharing this information with our co-pilots. Have a safe flight always.

Aloha Gamora ,

     Mahalo!

Aloha and Drone On!

PilotPete Posted at 2018-9-23 08:13
You have my interest. I just joined AMA.

Aloha Pete,

     You will find that your dues are money well spent.  Did you notice you also get $2,000,000 in flight insurance with your membership?  There are AMA restrictions, but it is good insurance.  Fly Safe!

Aloha and Drone On!

EdM Posted at 2018-9-23 13:22
The AMA is the only one "that I know of" that gets involved at a local and national level.   It's the only one with lobbyist on capitol hill and several senators and representatives that were or currently are AMA members.   And I think that would be 336.

Aloha Ed,

     There was a thread a while back about a meeting on Capitol Hill of aviation organizations and FAA personnel with a Part 107 organization and "the AMA was not there!"  Upon further investigation it turned out to be an informational briefing of some sort that was not involving AMA issues.  Still, I would like to look into the "Part 107" organization, and their membership, to see and understand their mission statement.  Part 107 operators need representation to.

Aloha and Drone On!

Cetacean Posted at 2018-9-23 13:36
Aloha Ed,

     There was a thread a while back about a meeting on Capitol Hill of aviation organizations and FAA personnel with a Part 107 organization and "the AMA was not there!"  Upon further investigation it turned out to be an informational briefing of some sort that was not involving AMA issues.  Still, I would like to look into the "Part 107" organization, and their membership, to see and understand their mission statement.  Part 107 operators need representation to.

Cetacean, I sure do agree with that.   I have read some things where the AMA does discuss 107 but I think their main focus is and should be 336.   There are a few smaller organizations for the 107 pilots, but none of them seem to have the resources or the clout needed.   Seems most of the representation for the 107 pilots is coming from big business that has a vested interest in their own pocketbooks, not the 107 pilot out trying to scratch out a living.

EdM Posted at 2018-9-23 18:00
Cetacean, I sure do agree with that.   I have read some things where the AMA does discuss 107 but I think their main focus is and should be 336.   There are a few smaller organizations for the 107 pilots, but none of them seem to have the resources or the clout needed.   Seems most of the representation for the 107 pilots is coming from big business that has a vested interest in their own pocketbooks, not the 107 pilot out trying to scratch out a living.

Aloha Ed,

     Yes, so if you come up with anything new, let me know and I will let you know.  Hopefully, it will be useful to the Forum to.

Aloha and Drone On!