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Drones one step closer to NAS integration

By Ben Sclair · January 7, 2021 ·

Back in 2013 I wrote “The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 calls for ‘full integration’ of civilian drones by September 2015. Additionally, the act anticipates ‘30,000 drones operating by 2020.’”

OK, so the FAA missed the mark on “full integration” by a few years, but Congress also missed the mark on the number of “drones operating by 2020.”

On Monday, Dec. 28, 2020, the FAA announced two final rules for “Unmanned Aircraft (UA)”. 

“The new rules will require Remote Identification (Remote ID) of drones and allow operators of small drones to fly over people and at night under certain conditions.”

The vast majority of drones will need Remote ID, whether they fly at night or above crowds or not. And those drones that don’t have remote ID capability built in will be able to attach a “Remote ID broadcast module” to comply with the rule.

“The new rules make way for the further integration of drones into our airspace by addressing safety and security concerns,” said FAA Administrator Steve Dickson. “They get us closer to the day when we will more routinely see drone operations, such as the delivery of packages.”

So we’re getting closer to integrating drones in the national airspace system (NAS) so we can transition the final miles of package delivery, in part, from our roads around us to the skies above us.

“These rules come at a time when drones represent the fastest-growing segment in the entire transportation sector — with currently over 1.7 million drone registrations and 203,000 FAA-certificated remote pilots,” FAA officials noted when announcing the new rules. Remember, the 2012 act anticipated just 30,000 drones.

Suffice it to say, the industry has moved just a bit quicker than government. Which is not surprising.

“There are many provisions in the proposed Remote ID rule that EAA believed were unacceptable and we are pleased to see that many of our comments were incorporated in the final rule,” said Sean Elliott, vice president of advocacy and safety for the Experimental Aircraft Association. “As with any rule, it is not perfect, but EAA feels that the rules are far more workable as a result of the FAA’s consideration of the more than 50,000 comments made to the proposed rule. This includes our foundational principles that any Remote ID rule ensure that manned aircraft continue to have unfettered access to the airspace system, no new regulatory burdens would be placed on manned aircraft operations, and no new equipment would be mandated for manned aircraft as part of this rule.”

While I am grateful the EAA (and tens of thousands of commenters) pushed hard to ensure manned aircraft maintain access to the NAS, I can only imagine the pressure to carve out more airspace for drone operations will increase as time — and the marketplace’s evolution — marches forward.

As you might imagine, non-aerospace media picked up on the news. I find their headlines interesting (which came to my email inbox from a Google Alert on the term drone):

  • U.S. Announces New Rules For Drones And Their Operators (NPR)
  • US Approves Delivery Drones Over Populated Areas (Voice of America)
  • Altitude Angel: Drone super-highways now one step close (DroneDJ)
  • U.S. to allow small drones to fly over people and at night (Reuters)
  • New FAA rule requires Remote ID for drones (Tech Crunch)
  • FAA finally sets rules for piloting small drones (Ars Technica)
  • Alphabet’s Wing argues new US drone rules will hurt privacy (Engadget)

For some entertaining reading, hop on Twitter to see the Twitterverse’s reaction to the @FAANews announcement.

.@USDOT’s FAA has issued final rules that will require Remote ID of drones, and can enable operations of small drones over people and at night. These rules will accelerate the safe integration of drones into our nation’s airspace. Learn more at https://t.co/NSZQW5iv8u. #RemoteID pic.twitter.com/Ay7hNGc6rq

— The FAA ✈️ (@FAANews) December 28, 2020

My May 2, 2013, editorial also notes, “There can be little doubt that UAVs are coming to U.S. airspace in significant numbers. The best we pilots can do is stay informed and engaged in the process.”

Just as flying IN airplanes has evolved since 1903, the drone segment of our industry will evolve as well. There should be no misunderstanding, drones WILL be fully integrated into the NAS at some point in our future. What that will ultimately look like is still in the works.

Would you prefer a seat at the table or just wait to see what happens?

About Ben Sclair

Ben Sclair is the Publisher of General Aviation News, a pilot, husband to Deb and dad to Zenith, Brenna, and Jack. Oh, and a staunch supporter of general aviation.

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Comments

  1. Darlene says

    January 8, 2021 at 11:28 am

    They are allowing airports, that we need, to be closed. But they want to let drones fly over peoples houses? I don’t want them flying over my house. They should have to stay over roads.

  2. George Stobaugh says

    January 8, 2021 at 8:14 am

    Will local governments and residents have any say in drones flying overhead? Hope so, otherwise chaos in the neighborhoods. Angry homeowners.

  3. JimH in CA says

    January 7, 2021 at 6:03 pm

    If they stay our of my GA airspace, I’ll stay out of theirs.! [ except when I’m on final and below 400 tf.]

  4. Will says

    January 7, 2021 at 12:50 pm

    Or a seat in the hospital when one runs into you…

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