On Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, thousands of model aircraft enthusiasts will celebrate the fifth annual National Model Aviation Day with more than 75 free events open to the public across the country. This national event will bring together hobbyists and members of local Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) clubs to enjoy flying and learn about […]
model aircraft
National Model Aviation Day approaches
On Saturday, Aug. 13, model aircraft hobbyists from around the country will celebrate National Model Aviation Day with 120 free events open to the public. This national event will bring together thousands of hobbyists and members of local Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) clubs to fly together and provide basic safety tips to newcomers. Click […]
World record still stands 10 years later
Ten years ago on June 17, Thomas Mardna set a world record in aeromodelling that still stands today: A 111km out-and-return flight with a piston-motor seaplane, flying along the banks of Lake Maardu in Estonia. If you want to bag a distance world record in aeromodelling, it helps if you get up early, when the wind is calm […]
D.C. Drone Day a hit
Thousands of drone and model aircraft enthusiasts participated in free education and flying events across the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia areas (DMV) on Saturday, May 7. The D.C. Drone Day events were hosted by local Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) clubs, whose members were on site to answer questions and share information about how […]
NTSB clarifies definition of ‘unmanned aircraft accident’
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published in the Federal Register a Notice of Interpretation to clarify that its existing definition of “unmanned aircraft accident” does not include model aircraft. The definition appears in the NTSB’s regulation “Notification and Reporting of Aircraft Accidents or Incidents and Overdue Aircraft, and Preservation of […]
FAA releases updated model aircraft guidance
The FAA published updated guidance on model aircraft operations Sept. 2 that reflect current law governing hobby or recreational use of unmanned aircraft. Advisory Circular (AC) 91-57A replaces a previous guidance written in 1981. The updated advisory circular reflects rules Congress wrote into Section 336 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, according to agency […]
FAA issues guidance on ‘hazardous’ operations of model aircraft
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The FAA today published a Federal Register notice on its interpretation of the special rules for model aircraft, in response to recent incidents involving the reckless use of unmanned model aircraft near airports and involving large crowds of people, according to officials with the agency. Compliance with these rules for model aircraft […]