Here's an update to the PineCreek petition to the FAA to allow small UAVs for natural resources management. It was denied. Excerpt from the letter follows:


Mr. Robert Blair
CEO
PineCreek Precision
15401 Blair Hollow Lane
Kendrick, ID 83537

Dear Mr. Blair:

In your May 2, 2008, letter you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to amend part 91 of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) to allow the use of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs) for Natural Resource Management.

The FAA already has an activity underway that we believe will address your concerns. The FAA has established an Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) for small UASs. The ARC is tasked to develop a proposal for the use and operation of small UASs in the National Airspace System. We anticipate the ARC’s recommendations within a year, and will consider those recommendations as the basis for potential future rulemaking activity. The committee will define generic requirements for the operation, maintenance, and certification of small UASs, along with certification of the crewmembers operating and maintaining them.

For the reason above, we hereby deny your petition for rulemaking in accordance with 14 CFR § 11.73.

Accordingly, Docket No. FAA-2008-0717 is being closed.