AUVSI, AMA Lead 33 Organizations in Calling on FAA to Expedite Rulemaking for Unmanned Aircraft Systems


Broad array of industries, manned and unmanned aviation communities come together to advocate for regulatory framework

8 April 2014



AUVSI and the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) joined 31 other
organizations today to send a letter to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) encouraging the agency to expedite the rulemaking
process for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations in the U.S.
airspace. The letter also calls on the FAA to allow the limited use of
small UAS for commercial purposes before the final rulemaking is
completed.



While Congress authorized the integration of UAS in 2012 and the FAA has
recently implemented key steps in the integration process, the
rulemaking for small UAS has been delayed for almost four years. Last
month’s FAA v. Pirker decision underscores the immediate need for a
safety structure and regulatory framework for small UAS, according to
the co-signees.



“The time for resolution has come, and we cannot afford any further
delays. The technology is advancing faster than the regulations to
govern it,” the letter states. “While the FAA has indicated its
intention to appeal the Pirker decision to the full National
Transportation Safety Board, we strongly encourage the FAA to
simultaneously expedite its small UAS rulemaking and issue notice and
public comment as soon as possible.”



The co-signees include a broad array of organizations and industries,
from agriculture to real estate to photography, that recognize the
benefits of UAS. Meanwhile, the effort represents the first time
stakeholders from both the manned and unmanned aviation communities are
coming together to press for a regulatory framework for UAS. The
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the General Aviation
Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and the Helicopters Association
International are among the letter’s co-signees.



In addition to expediting the UAS rulemaking, the organizations urged
the FAA to use its congressional authority to allow some limited UAS
operations right away. 



“We recommend the FAA use all available means, including Section 333 of
the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, to allow for some limited
UAS operations, subject to the Secretary of Transportation’s safety
determination, before the small UAS rule is finalized,” the letter
states.



“The current regulatory void has left American entrepreneurs and others
either sitting on the sidelines or operating in the absence of
appropriate safety guidelines. The recreational community has proven
that community-based safety programming is effective in managing this
level of activity, and we highly encourage the FAA to allow similar
programming to be used to allow the small UAS industry to establish
appropriate standards for safe operation. Doing so will allow a portion
of the promising commercial sector to begin operating safely and
responsibly in the national airspace.”



“Community-based programming has a proven track record,” said AMA
President Bob Brown. “The members of the Academy of Model Aeronautics
have operated unmanned aircraft (model aircraft) in the national
airspace for decades and have set the example for operating small
unmanned aircraft systems in a safe and harmonious fashion. The Academy
stands ready to lend its expertise and to assist the FAA in developing a
safety structure that will enable and allow all small UAS to operate
safely and responsibly in the national airspace”



According to AUVSI’s economic impact study, the integration of UAS will
create more than 100,000 new jobs and $82 billion in economic impact in
the first decade following integration. AUVSI President and CEO Michael
Toscano noted the many societal benefits of UAS and the economic costs
of any further delays. 



“UAS have enormous potential to benefit our lives,” Toscano said. ”This
technology has the ability to transform that way many industries
operate, whether helping farmers better survey their fields, assisting
search and rescue missions or providing real estate agents with new
vantage points. Delays in the rulemaking process have slowed the
integration process, keeping these industries on the sidelines. Every
year that integration is delayed, the United States loses more than $10
billion in potential economic impact. This translates to a loss of $27.6
million per day that UAS are not integrated.”



The letter co-signees include:



Aerospace States Association

Air Traffic Controllers Association

Airborne Law Enforcement Association

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association

Airports Council International – North America

American Association of Airport Executives

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

American Society of Agronomy

American Soybean Association

Crop Science Society of America

Experimental Aircraft Association

General Aviation Manufactures Association

Helicopter Association International

International Society of Precision Agriculture

International Stability Operations Association

National Air Traffic Controllers Association

National Air Transportation Association

National Association of Realtors

National Association of State Aviation Officials

National Association of Wheat Growers

National Barley Growers Association

National Business Aviation Association

National Press Photographers Association

National Sheriffs’ Association 

National Ski Areas Association

National Sunflower Association

North American Equipment Dealers Association

Radio Television Digital News Association

Realtors Land Institute

Soil Science Society of America

U.S. Canola Association



The full letter may be found at www.auvsi.org/AUVSI-AMA-Sign-On-Letter-To-FAA.