FAA Advisory Committee Approves Report on Drone Traffic Management

Several areas require more discussion and clarity as the FAA tackles unmanned aerial system traffic management (UTM), the agency's Drone Advisory Committee (DAC) was told Friday in a virtual meeting. “As UTM is rolled out, we recognize that there are many instances that could require airspace to be limited for a period,” said Max Fenkell, Aerospace Industries Association director-unmanned and emerging aviation technologies, who presented a report on UTM. One question that “came up constantly” was would UAS volume reservations “be available only to public safety or would a similar ... tool be available to commercial entities,” he said. Another question is whether manned aircraft operators would be required to participate in UTM, Fenkell said. Rules make participation optional and a “more robust discussion” is needed, he said. The DAC agreed to forward the report to the agency. DAC member Robie Roy, Lockheed Martin vice president-technology, said spectrum for drones remains a big issue. “All of this interconnectivity is not going to be effective unless we pay attention to spectrum allocation, usage, etc.,” Roy said. He noted the Commerce (Department's) Spectrum Management Advisory Committee is looking at spectrum for drones (see 2004220059). The FAA should work with CSMAC, said David Silver, AIA vice president-civil aviation: “We’re aware of the effort, and we think it’s very important.” Spectrum is “the lifeblood” of the drone industry, Fenkell said: “We need to look at all possible options including … aviation spectrum.”