By: Mario D. Mairena



On 12 Sept., AUVSI hosted the first meeting of the
Beyond-Visual-Line-of-Sight (BVLOS) User Working Group. In recognition
of the rapidly advancing commercial UAS market, the FAA is seeking input
from users or potential users of UAS on what the immediate, near and
long-term issues/hurdles are or might be for fielding this technology.
As a result, in May 2014, the Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) tasked
AUVSI along with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and
the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) to co-chair this working group
which will be comprised of multiple associations representing a diverse
group of potential UAS users in certain key industries. 



At the meeting there were more than 25 representatives from the FAA,
aerial inspection, agriculture, aviation, cargo, communications, energy,
mapping, photography, public safety, and wildlife/conservation/weather
to discuss; the anticipated BVLOS operations in the next 3-5 years,
perceived barriers to conducting operations and recommendations for the
FAA to consider on how to remove those barriers.