Lead by the Academy of Model Aeronautics and Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, manned and unmanned aviation communities come together to advocate for regulatory framework.

Muncie, IN April 09, 2014

The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) and the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) joined 31 other organizations today to send a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) encouraging the agency to expedite the rulemaking process for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations in the U.S. airspace. The letter also calls on the FAA to allow the limited use of small UAS for commercial purposes before the final rulemaking is completed.

While Congress authorized the integration of UAS in 2012 and the FAA has recently implemented key steps in the integration process, the rulemaking for small UAS has been delayed for almost four years. Last month's FAA v. Pirker decision underscores the immediate need for a safety structure and regulatory framework for small UAS, according to the co-signees.

"The time for resolution has come, and we cannot afford any further delays. The technology is advancing faster than the regulations to govern it," the letter states. "While the FAA has indicated its intention to appeal the Pirker decision to the full National Transportation Safety Board, we strongly encourage the FAA to simultaneously expedite its small UAS rulemaking and issue notice and public comment as soon as possible."

The co-signees include a broad array of organizations and industries, from agriculture to real estate to photography, that recognize the benefits of UAS. Meanwhile, the effort represents the first time stakeholders from both the manned and unmanned aviation communities are coming together to press for a regulatory framework for UAS. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and the Helicopters Association International are among the letter's co-signees.

In addition to expediting the UAS rulemaking, the organizations urged the FAA to use its congressional authority to allow some limited UAS operations right away.

"We recommend the FAA use all available means, including Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, to allow for some limited UAS operations, subject to the Secretary of Transportation's safety determination, before the small UAS rule is finalized," the letter states.

"The current regulatory void has left American entrepreneurs and others either sitting on the sidelines or operating in the absence of appropriate safety guidelines. The recreational community has proven that community-based safety programming is effective in managing this level of activity, and we highly encourage the FAA to allow similar programming to be used to allow the small UAS industry to establish appropriate standards for safe operation. Doing so will allow a portion of the promising commercial sector to begin operating safely and responsibly in the national airspace."

"Community-based programming has a proven track record," said AMA President Bob Brown. "The members of the Academy of Model Aeronautics have operated unmanned aircraft (model aircraft) in the national airspace for decades and have set the example for operating small unmanned aircraft systems in a safe and harmonious fashion. The Academy stands ready to lend its expertise and to assist the FAA in developing a safety structure that will enable and allow all small UAS to operate safely and responsibly in the national airspace."

According to AUVSI's economic impact study, the integration of UAS will create more than 100,000 new jobs and $82 billion in economic impact in the first decade following integration. AUVSI President and CEO Michael Toscano noted the many societal benefits of UAS and the economic costs of any further delays.

"UAS have enormous potential to benefit our lives," Toscano said. "This technology has the ability to transform that way many industries operate, whether helping farmers better survey their fields, assisting search and rescue missions or providing real estate agents with new vantage points. Delays in the rulemaking process have slowed the integration process, keeping these industries on the sidelines. Every year that integration is delayed, the United States loses more than $10 billion in potential economic impact. This translates to a loss of $27.6 million per day that UAS are not integrated."

Letter co-signees include:
Aerospace States Association
Air Traffic Controllers Association
Airborne Law Enforcement Association
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
Airports Council International - North America
American Association of Airport Executives
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
American Society of Agronomy
American Soybean Association
Crop Science Society of America
Experimental Aircraft Association
General Aviation Manufactures Association
Helicopter Association International
International Society of Precision Agriculture
International Stability Operations Association
National Air Traffic Controllers Association
National Air Transportation Association
National Association of Realtors
National Association of State Aviation Officials
National Association of Wheat Growers
National Barley Growers Association
National Business Aviation Association
National Press Photographers Association
National Sheriffs' Association
National Ski Areas Association
National Sunflower Association
North American Equipment Dealers Association
Radio Television Digital News Association
Realtors Land Institute
Soil Science Society of America
U.S. Canola Association

The Academy of Model Aeronautics has been the nation's collective voice for approximately 164,000 modelers in 2,400 clubs in every state and Puerto Rico since 1936. A nonprofit association headquartered in Muncie IN, AMA sanctions more than 2,000 events and competitions each year under the auspices of the National Aeronautic Association.

The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) - the world's largest non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of unmanned systems - represents more than 7,000 members from 60 allied countries involved in the fields of government, industry and academia.