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WASHINGTON � The U.S. Department of Transportation�s Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) is establishing
an aviation rulemaking committee (PDF)with industry
stakeholders to develop recommendations for a regulatory framework that would
allow certain UAS to be operated over people who are not directly involved in
the operation of the aircraft. The FAA is taking this action to provide a more
flexible, performance-based approach for these operations than what was
considered for Micro UAS. The committee will begin its work in March and issue
its final report to the FAA on April 1. �The Department continues to be bullish on new technology,� said U.S.
Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. �We recognize the significant industry
interest in expanding commercial access to the National Airspace System. The
short deadline reinforces our commitment to a flexible regulatory approach that
can accommodate innovation while maintaining today�s high levels of safety.� The rulemaking committee will develop recommendations for performance-based
standards for the classification and operation of certain UAS that can be
operated safely over people; identify how UAS manufacturers can comply with the
requirements; and propose operational provisions based on the requirements. The
FAA will draft a rulemaking proposal after reviewing the committee�s report. �Based on the comments about a �micro� classification submitted as part of
the small
UAS proposed rule, the FAA will pursue a flexible, performance-based
regulatory framework that addresses potential hazards instead of a
classification defined primarily by weight and speed,�said FAA Administrator
Michael Huerta. To develop this framework, the FAA is seeking advice and recommendations from
a diverse set of aviation stakeholders, including UAS manufacturers, UAS
operators, consensus-standards organization, and researchers and academics.
The UAS
registration task force established last October serves as a model for the
Micro UAS rulemaking committee. The
committee (PDF) will be co-chaired by Earl Lawrence,
Director, FAA UAS Integration Office and Nancy Egan, General Counsel, 3D
Robotics. A Q&A (PDF)
provides additional details.
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