State of Alaska Signs Unmanned Aircraft Systems Bill
Muncie, IN (PRWEB) August 22, 2014 -- The AMA is pleased to share with the model aviation community and its members in Alaska that Alaska Governor Sean Parnell has signed House Bill 255 and House Concurrent Resolution 15, further defining public use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems and the continuation of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Task Force. House Bill 255states that it is, “An Act relating to unmanned aircraft systems; and relating to images captured by an unmanned aircraft system.” It defines State of Alaska laws regarding data retention and use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) by public safety and law enforcement. Learn more.
The Academy of Model Aeronautics and its members have worked diligently to contact state legislators regarding proposed UAS legislation and have encouraged provisional language to protect model aviation. Because of the efforts of the Academy’s board of directors, staff, and member support in Alaska—including the acts of AMA and Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly member, Steve Colligan—the Alaska State Legislature offered AMA a seat on its seven-member UAS Task Force. The group is composed of a state senator, a state legislator, national and international experts in UAS, and representatives of the general aviation community, the University of Alaska’s Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration, and the Academy of Model Aeronautics.
House Concurrent Resolution 15 extends the task force to June 30, 2017. This group reviews regulations and guidance regarding UAS to ensure safety and public privacy, while continuing the discussion of legal use of the technology within the state of Alaska.
“The AMA continues to be pleased and optimistic of the State of Alaska’s common-sense approach and inclusion of the sport and hobby industry in this evolving discussion,” stated Rich Hanson, AMA director of Public Relations and Government Affairs.
The Academy of Model Aeronautics, founded in 1936, is devoted to safety in the national airspace. It serves as the nation’s collective voice for approximately 170,000 modelers in 2,400 clubs in every US state and the US territories. Headquartered in Muncie, IN, AMA is open to those who fly model aircraft for recreation and education.
Additional information about AMA’s governmental and advocacy efforts can be found online, http://www.modelaircraft.org/aboutama/gov.aspx.
Rich Hanson, Academy of Model Aeronautics, http://www.modelaircraft.org, +1 (765) 287-1256, [email protected]
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