Schumer To Introduce Amendment Requiring Geofencing Software on All US Drones

Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., will unveil an amendment to the Federal Aviation Administration’s reauthorization bill this week that would require manufacturers to implement geofencing technology or a similar solution on all drones, “to prevent them from flying in to ‘No Fly Drone Zones’ like airports, the Pentagon, major parades, large sporting events and more," a news release said Monday. Geofencing technology “limits where unauthorized drones can fly through the installation of built-in software, firmware and GPS tracking in the device,” it said. The FAA released draft rules on drones in February that don’t go far enough because geofencing technology isn't required, Schumer said. If the amendment isn't adopted, “legislative action on geo-technology could be stalled until at least 2016,” the release said. “There needs to be a clear strategy to address the public safety dilemma of reckless drone use because a future drone crash could spell real trouble,” Schumer said. Provisions of the Schumer Drone Amendment include: a requirement that all drones in the U.S. have tamper-proof geofencing technology that can prevent drones from flying “within an unsafe distance from an airport or protected airspace” and limiting altitude; create punitive measures in addition to existing federal law for those who knowingly fly a drone too high, too close to an airport or other restricted airspace, or who attempt to tamper with or override altitude or airspace limiting technology; prohibit those who violate drone laws from using a drone; require the FAA to begin public education campaigns to promote safe drone usage; and give the FAA additional authority to “institute other drone regulations and requirements as needed to promote and protect public safety,” the release said.