WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker pressed Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Huerta on the agency’s plans to provide guidelines for commercial use of drones under 4.4 pounds/lbs, known as micro UAS. The FAA, earlier this week announced plans to set up an Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) to make recommendations in advance of the FAA’s micro UAS rulemaking.  UAS technologies are being used around the world in various commercial capacities, but the United States is lagging behind other developed nations.  The UAS industry estimates over 100,000 total U.S. jobs and $82 billion in economic impact in a decade once regulations are finalized.

 

“As the agency continues its work to ensure the safe integration of this technology into our nation’s airspace, I urge you to move forward swiftly and deliberately so that we can maintain leadership in the proliferation of cutting edge technologies. We in Congress will continue to examine this issue as well in the context of the upcoming FAA reauthorization,” the Senator said.

 

“I understand the utility of convening stakeholders and experts to collaborate on guidelines for these use cases and to develop performance-based standards for heavier UAS. However, for more basic commercial uses the need for excess study and deliberation is less clear. I hope the ARC process does not cause any unintended delay for the authorization of basic uses of micro UAS for commercial purposes.” 

 

“UAS and their adoption for commercial use will impact our society for decades to come. We have the opportunity to ensure American manufacturers and businesses are at the forefront of this innovation while ensuring public safety through clear and sensible guidelines,” the Senator concludes.

 

Last year, Senator Booker introduced the Commercial UAS Modernization Act (S.1314) to help safely speed the integration of small drones into the national airspace.  The legislation is currently cosponsored by Senators Hoeven (R-ND), Heitkamp (D-ND), Merkley (D-OR), Warner (D-VA) and Wyden (D-OR).

 

Full text of the letter follows:

 

February 26, 2016

 

 

 

The Honorable Michael P. Huerta

Administrator

Federal Aviation Administration

U.S. Department of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Avenue

Washington, D.C. 20590

 

 

Dear Administrator Huerta:

 

I commend the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for prioritizing the issuance of standards and regulations for small and micro Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). Small UAS and micro UAS have penetrated the commercial and recreational spheres around the world and I applaud your efforts to establish rules that will allow U.S. leadership in broad scale adoption of this technology. Americans are known for their ingenuity and for innovations in many of the life-changing technologies the world relies on today. As the agency continues its work to ensure the safe integration of this technology into our nation’s airspace, I urge you to move forward swiftly and deliberately so that we can maintain leadership in the proliferation of cutting edge technologies. We in Congress will continue to examine this issue as well in the context of the upcoming FAA reauthorization.

 

The FAA’s recent announcement to set up an Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) as a forum for discussion and recommendation prior to a micro UAS rulemaking may have clear benefits to addressing more complex usage scenarios, such as flying over groups of people. I understand the utility of convening stakeholders and experts to collaborate on guidelines for these use cases and to develop performance-based standards for heavier UAS. However, for more basic commercial uses the need for excess study and deliberation is less clear. I hope the ARC process does not cause any unintended delay for the authorization of basic uses of micro UAS for commercial purposes.  The adoption of a weight-based micro UAS category for the simplest operations would put the United States on par with other developed nations that maintain a more innovation-friendly regulatory environment.

 

We have already seen vast benefits from commercial use of micro UAS that have been deployed through the section 333 exemption process. In states like New Jersey and all across the country, UAS have improved the safe inspection of infrastructure by capturing high-definition video of bridges, wind turbines, buildings and pipelines. Farmers have increased productivity by monitoring water usage and detecting the presence of crop-wrecking bugs. Real estate agents have been able to add aerial view of the properties to give the buyers a more holistic view of their potential purchase.  The academic and research use cases of this technology offer limitless benefits to sound and innovative data collection. I have no doubt there will be even more applications of micro UAS once there is clarity on easy-to-understand rules to operate them and a low barrier to entry for their use in the safest and least complex operating environments.

 

As with any new technological advancement and change, UAS will undoubtedly bring new challenges and complexities.  However, the United States has traditionally always been able to adapt. I admire your commitment to a thorough exploration of these potential challenges before drafting comprehensive rules, however I must underscore the need for urgency in your review. Micro UAS have the potential to provide invaluable real-world services that will create unique efficiencies and even save lives.

 

UAS and their adoption for commercial use will impact our society for decades to come. We have the opportunity to ensure American manufacturers and businesses are at the forefront of this innovation while ensuring public safety through clear and sensible guidelines. I appreciate your effort to expedite the necessary rulemaking to keep us ahead in this next frontier of commercial aviation.

 

 

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