New Task Force to Develop Recommendations by November 20
WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and FAA Administrator Michael Huerta today announced the creation of a task force to develop recommendations for a registration process for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).
The task force will be composed of 25 to 30 diverse representatives from the UAS and manned aviation industries, the federal government, and other stakeholders. The group will advise the Department on which aircraft should be exempt from registration due to a low safety risk, including toys and certain other small UAS.
The task force also will explore options for a streamlined system that would make registration less burdensome for commercial UAS operators. The task force may make additional safety recommendations as it deems appropriate. Secretary Foxx directed the group to deliver its report by Nov. 20.
“Registering unmanned aircraft will help build a culture of accountability and responsibility, especially with new users who have no experience operating in the U.S. aviation system,” Foxx said.
“It will help protect public safety in the air and on the ground.” Every day, the FAA receives reports of potentially unsafe UAS operations. Pilot sightings of UAS doubled between 2014 and 2015.
The reports ranged from incidents at major sporting events and flights near manned aircraft, to interference with wildfire operations.
“These reports signal a troubling trend,” Huerta said.
“Registration will help make sure that operators know the rules and remain accountable to the public for flying their unmanned aircraft responsibly. When they don’t fly safely, they’ll know there will be consequences.”
While the task force does its work, the FAA will continue its aggressive education and outreach efforts, including the “Know Before You Fly” campaign and “No Drone Zone” initiatives with the nation’s busiest airports.
The agency also will continue to take strong enforcement action against egregious violators. At the same time, it will continue working with stakeholders to improve safety to ensure further integration and innovation in this promising segment of aviation.
Secretary Foxx was joined by representatives from the following stakeholder groups:
The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International Academy of Model Aircraft Air Line Pilots Association American Association of Airport Executives Helicopter Association International PrecisionHawk AirMap/ Small UAV Coalition Consumer Electronics Association
Comments
@Patrick. If you watch the press conference you would know they haven't actually done anything yet. They only announced they are thinking of enacting some type of registration some how. I'll wait to see what they say on November 20, if that even happens (we all know how good they are with deadlines). Then I'll have something to flip my sh** about.
@Brian. 23,000 new 'federal regulations' were put into place in ONE YEAR, do you think we are under-regulated by this government? We can't even flush a toilet now without these bureaucrats trying to get involved.
These bureaucrats are not legislators and have NO real power to make these rules out of thin air - unless we just lay down and accept their fake power. The way to handle this is to IGNORE them. And when they drag some of us into court, we force them to cite the law, chapter and verse, passed by a elected representatives of the people with real legal authority, and signed by either the governor of a state, or the president. Otherwise, there is NO LAW against flying, no matter what some FAA bureaucrat says! I think it's high time WE THE PEOPLE take our country back from these un-elected bureaucrats and FORCE them to follow the legal process required by our constitution. I am tired of this government just grabbing power, clearly designed to tax our hobby to generate revenue.
@John Blair - you make a great point on the "1M units this Xmas" being suspect. Juggernaut DJI sold 400,000 units total in 2014*, so it seems unlikely that a million units will trade hands this Christmas.
*Source: http://www.forbes.com/sites/ryanmac/2015/05/06/dji-drones-frank-wan...
Wyatt, I'm not "kissing up" to the AMA. In the past they have done good. I would be surprised if a Proto x has to be registered. Keep in mind that the AMA provides liability insurance providing that you were not doing something really stupid. 15 or 20 years ago you could get dental insurance through them. Times change and laws change. Not just regarding our hobby but in other aspects of life as well. While it is certainly good to speak up when against something, keeping a positive attitude can help as well. That's enough rambling from me. We will see what November brings.
Regards,
David R. Boulanger
Starts @ 9:50
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohkIMnImhE8
I guess they are also modifying the current FAR from that presentation as well...
Sec. 91.15 — Dropping objects.
No pilot in command of a civil aircraft may allow any object to be dropped from that aircraft in flight that creates a hazard to persons or property. However, this section does not prohibit the dropping of any object if reasonable precautions are taken to avoid injury or damage to persons or property.
I feel I need to clarify. I belong to the AMA and believe they do a lot of good. But this could be huge for them..
I really kinda feel bad for the fixed wing guys that have been flying for decades and now have this hassle.
Regards,
David R. Boulanger
There seems to be a very large over reaction to a forecast that someone pulled out of .... Who has any details on how many drones are forcasted to be sold vs last year when many of us think that more than 1-Million were sold last year?
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