FAA Releases Key Drone Rulemakings, Stresses Safety

The FAA released long-awaited proposed rules that would allow drones to fly at night and over people without waivers. Unmanned aircraft systems were a big topic last week at CES (see 1901100025). No federal aviation officials attended because of the partial federal shutdown. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao was expected to speak but instead spoke Monday at the Transportation Research Board’s annual meeting. “The proposed rule would allow drones to make routine flights over people without a waiver or an exemption under certain conditions,” Chao said. “These conditions depend upon the level of risk to people on the ground, and are spelled out clearly in the proposal.” DOT released Advance NPRMs on safe and secure operation of drones. Both (see here and here) must be published in the Federal Register. The safety ANPRM “identifies major drone safety and security issues that may pose a threat to other aircraft, to people on the ground or to national security,” Chao said. “It solicits for consideration recommendations to reduce these risks as drones are integrated into our national airspace.” DOT selected the Nevada UAS Test Site Smart Silver State; Northern Plains Unmanned Aircraft Systems Test Site, North Dakota; and the Virginia Tech Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership to participate in the unmanned aircraft systems traffic management system pilot project. “The pilot project, through September 2019, is intended to develop and demonstrate a traffic management system to safely integrate drone flights within the nation’s airspace system,” DOT said. “The pilot project will create a shared information network and gather data that can be used for future rulemakings."