WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House Subcommittee on Aviation, chaired by U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), will hold a hearing Wednesday on issues related to remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) safety. The hearing will be streamed live online.
The FAA first authorized civil RPA operations in U.S. airspace in 1990. Recent and rapid advancements in technology have made RPA more accessible and resulted in many new applications across industries, Congressional staffers say.
However, increases in reported UAS sightings by pilots and air traffic controllers have raised safety questions.
This hearing will enable the Subcommittee to better understand the nature and extent of safety issues posed by the growing use of RPAs in the national airspace.
The hearing, “Ensuring Aviation Safety in the Era of Unmanned Aircraft Systems,” is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7, in 2167 Rayburn House Office Building.
The witness list includes:
- Michael G. Whitaker, FAA Deputy Administrator;
- James Hubbard, Deputy Chief, State and Private Forestry, United States Forest Service;
- Captain Tim Canoll, President, Air Line Pilots Association;
- Rich Hanson, Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs, Academy of Model Aeronautics; and
- Dr. Mykel Kochenderfer, Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics;
More information about the hearing, including testimony, additional background information, and link to live webcast will be posted here as it becomes available.