FAA Seeks To Clear The Air About UAVs

FAA Seeks To Clear The Air About UAVs | Aero-News Network

Says Many Misconceptions Surround The Agency's Current Regulations

The FAA says there are a lot of misconceptions and misinformation about unmanned aircraft system (UAS) regulations, and has released a fact sheet that outlines its rules that currently govern the use of the aircraft. Myths:

1. The FAA doesn't control airspace below 400 feet - Fact—The FAA is responsible for the safety of U.S. airspace from the ground up.
2. Commercial UAS flights are OK if I'm over private property and stay below 400 feet. Fact— A commercial flight requires a certified aircraft, a licensed pilot and operating approval.   To date, only one operation has met these criteria, using Insitu's ScanEagle, and authorization was limited to the Arctic.
3. Commercial UAS operations are a “gray area” in FAA regulations. - Fact - There are no shades of gray in FAA regulations. 
4. There are too many commercial UAS operations for the FAA to stop. - Fact — The FAA has to prioritize its safety responsibilities, but the agency is monitoring UAS operations closely. 
5. Commercial UAS operations will be OK after September 30, 2015. Fact—In the 2012 FAA reauthorization legislation, Congress told the FAA to come up with a plan for “safe integration” of UAS by September 30, 2015. Safe integration will be incremental. 
6. The FAA is lagging behind other countries in approving commercial drones. Fact – This comparison is flawed. We want to strike the right balance of requirements for UAS to help foster growth in an emerging industry with a wide range of potential uses, but also keep all airspace users and people on the ground safe. 
7. The FAA predicts as many as 30,000 drones by 2030. Fact—That figure was an estimate in the FAA’s 2011 Aerospace Forecast. The FAA currently estimates as many as 7,500 small commercial UAS may be in use by 2018, assuming the necessary regulations are in place. 

FMI: www.faa.gov
Fact Sheet – Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)