Do You Know Your States Drone Laws?

All remote pilots, regardless of what type of model aircraft being flown, need to not only know the Federal Laws/FAA Part 107/Subsection 101 regulations for flight operations in the National Airspace, but State laws as well. 

    Most AMA remote pilots understand that as members of the AMA we currently continue to conduct flight operation in accordance with Public Law 112-95 Sec. 336 the “Special Rule for Model Aircraft” under AMA’s Safety Programming which also requires members to observe any State laws for UAS/Drones/model-aircraft.  

     I recently was sent a link to the latest edition to “State Drone Law” from the law firm of “Ausley|McMullen authored by Steven M. Hogan and Richard E. Doran. The hard copy of the book is available from Amazon for $15.99 and they provided a PDF free copy by clicking on the following book cover link.

    I have provided easy access to just New England State's

UAS/Drone-Laws that follow:

    CT. Drone Law 

    ME. Drone Law

      MA. Drone Law 

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NEW ENGLAND NEWS

AMA Local Government Relations Update 

Singer’s Victory on Newton, MA Ordinance in U.S. Dist. Court Sept 22, 2017

The U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued a favorable decision in a lawsuit brought by Newton, Massachusetts resident Dr. Michael Singer. The Court ruled that a local ordinance severely restricting unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations in Newton is in violation of the federal government’s authority to regulate the airspace, also known as federal preemption. AMA congratulates Dr. Singer on this victory. While the Court’s decision in this case only immediately impacts Newton, we believe -->                                                                                       Read More

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As AMA District I vice president, I have provided answers to this question and other similar remarks regarding UAS/drone legislation that is unnecessary, onerous or in violation of federal law. AMA was in fact one of the first organization to file legal action against the FAA's Interpretation of the Special Rule for Model Aircraft in 2014. This case is still in abeyance and prevents the FAA from taking any legal action against flight operations based on their interpretation of the rule. 

    It’s also a fact that AMA has and continues to engage cities, towns, states and federal legislators on hundreds of UAS/drone bills, ordinances, and resolutions where AMA staff, officers and members respond with opposition in person, at hearings, in meetings and in letters to legislators.      Because of AMA's efforts, most UAS/drone legislation has either been killed or revised to include the 336 exemption and/or the inclusion in the legislation of the AMA recommended statement “If federal law preempts any provision of this bill, that provision shall not apply.” AMA is spending millions of dollars to successfully advocate and lobby for initiatives to protect the flying interests of its members.

     In terms of the Newton ordinance, I was involved for over two years in opposition to the ordinance along with assistance from the AMA Government Relations Team and AMA member, Howard Samuels from Newton. Our efforts prevented passage and allowed for further discussion on the ordinance on multiple hearing dates,  -->    

                                                                                  Read More 

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