AMA In Action Advocating for Members
Preserving, protecting, and advocating for our freedom to fly is the focus of the AMA government team. We represent our members at the local, state, and federal level on legislative and regulatory issues that could potentially impact our longstanding hobby. As the collective voice for our members and the hobby, our team works to share the message of our safe operations in the airspace.
FAA Registration
Registering with the FAA is a requirement under : Exception for Limited Recreational Operations of Unmanned Aircraft. Registration is $5 per individual and needs to be renewed every three years. The is the only website where individuals can register. Visit this to learn about recent updates to DroneZone and for step-by-step instructions on how to complete your FAA registration.
TRUST
All recreational UAS fliers must complete The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST). This free, one-time online course is more of a learning module that you are guaranteed to pass as long as you complete each question. Once TRUST is completed, you will enter your name and receive a certificate of completion. That certificate is the only record of your completion of TRUST, so be sure to save or print it. Read , , and start TRUST on AMA’s website.
Flying in Controlled Airspace
All model aircraft and drone operations within must be authorized by the FAA before flying. AMA members can determine if they are in controlled airspace and receive authorization for free using . Learn the most recent information about flying in controlled airspace on this .
Remote ID
The final rule for Remote Identification of Unmanned Aircraft (Remote ID) was released in January of 2021. There was an implementation period followed by a discretionary enforcement period that gave recreational fliers until March 16, 2024 to fully to comply with the rule. There are three ways fliers will be able to comply:
Standard Remote ID: Built into new aircraft and transmitters during production. Recreational fliers won’t have to do anything additional to fly.
Broadcast Modules: Added to existing or home-built aircraft. .
FRIA: Recreational fliers can fly at fixed sites that have been named as a FAA-Recognized Identification Areas (FRIA). If members would like to fly at a FRIA, they can use the FAA's UAS Facility map to find a FRIA field near them. Learn how to use the FAA's UAS Facility map to find a FRIA field . Members can also view a list of current AMA FRIA flying sites here.
AMA has compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions to assist in complying with the upcoming .
More information regarding Remote ID can be found on this .
Information for International UAS Recreational Fliers in the United States
If you are not a US citizen and plan to bring your UAS when you visit the United States, you must follow all the rules for recreational fliers laid out in . International users must also visit the FAA’s portal and complete the process to fly under “The Exception for Recreational Flyers” while flying your aircraft in the US. The FAA will consider the certificate issued to be a recognition of ownership rather than a certificate of US aircraft registration. International fliers have the option to enroll as an AMA affiliate member .
