From the sUAS News Feed
By Yasmin Tadjdeh
After years of waiting, a Federal Aviation Administration official said the agency was close to releasing a ruling that would give commercial entities greater access to fly small unmanned aerial system in the domestic airspace.
The proposed ruling, which the agency has been working on over the past year, is currently being reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget, Jim Williams, manager of the FAA’s UAS integration office, said on Nov. 5.
Full article here: Small Drone Rule
Comments
Yes, I believe this is the NPRM. It's just the first public release of the proposed rules. It will be open for public comment for at least 6 months, and up to 18 months. After the public comment period, FAA will possibly make changes based on the public feedback. The actual rules are still a long way off.
Don't get too excited, this is perhaps just the small rule NPRM. Lets hope its been on the cards for years
Some provocative/impressive numbers are predicted, so far over next 4years, "The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has yet to propose rulesto govern the use of commercial robotic aircraft in U.S. skies. But it predicts that 7,500 unmanned craft weighing 55 pounds (25 kilograms) or less will be operating in the U.S. by 2018."...
I also am skeptical. I think it may give us a path to fully legal and endorsed commercial use but I think it will will come at a cost that only those with some serious money can afford. Want to map farm fields for money? Sure you can, just submit the following paperwork and mandatory processing fee $$$$...
I want to be wrong. I hope I am. I fear I'm not.
Usually, the Canadian follows US, in terms of regulations, but here maybe be vice-versa...This rule was long awaited anyway!
My first hope is that they take a look at what the Canadians have done and say "Gee that makes a lot of sense!"
I said hope - not expectation, my expectation is that they will pretty much do the opposite, making UAS use for those without extremely deep pockets virtually impossible.
My second hope is that I am wrong.
I am very hopeful.
Here it comes.
Maybe, just maybe, we are starting to get somewhere with the FAA:-)
Regards,
TCIII Admin