The golden rule
for UAS airspace
rulemaking
The unmanned aerial systems (UAS) revolution is having an effect on what’s flying and what
it can do for people almost as dramatic
as that of the introduction of powered
manned flight. UAS have transitioned
from science fiction novels to becoming
an integral part of armed forces’ capability and now to myriad commercial
business and enthusiast applications.
The potential for UAS to participate
in search and rescue missions, conduct operations that are high-risk for
humans, deliver medical supplies, survey crops and much more is no longer
a pipedream. It’s happening and the
use of UAS, understandably, is growing
exponentially.
FAA’s proposed rulemaking on small
UAS in civil airspace is, therefore, a
long-overdue but welcome first step to
providing a regulatory framework for
how people can continue to exploit the
potential that UAS offer, while maintaining the highest possible safety standards in commercial airline operations
(see article, page 11).
There have been far too many
‘close calls’ between airliners and UAS
over the past few months, with many
near-miss incidents reported close to
major international airports. There is
an urgent need to prohibit UAS from
commercial airport space, enforce that
ban with stiff penalties, and perhaps
require an RFID tagging system to
ensure compliance. The vast major-
ity of infringements appear to have
been accidental, which is bad enough
given the potential consequences, but
UAS regulatory oversight must also
take into account the possibility of
human malevolence. The reality of
UAS is that it’s a misnomer—there is
always a ‘man’ (or woman) behind an
‘unmanned’ system, and that person is
most likely of good intent and respon-
sible, but could be of evil intent and/or
irresponsible.
As UAS integration rulemaking is
debated and comments are submitted
from all stakeholders, the overriding
priority must be on commercial airline
safety. UAS advocates will cite their
needs, business aspirations and personal
freedom rights. But FAA’s mandate
to ensure a safe airspace should be the
non-negotiable foundation of UAS
operations’ regulation. This is in the
best interests not just of the traveling
public and air transport industry, but
also of those who want to fully exploit
UAS for legitimate business purposes.
If one airliner is brought down, the
game changes immediately. UAS advocates would likely be hamstrung by
rushed-in, draconian rules that would
set back their ambitions by years.
FAA’s deserved reputation in airspace
safety excellence gives the agency global
influence, so this UAS rulemaking process will be watched around the world
and will have an impact far beyond the
United States. It is critical that the regulation is addressed as expeditiously as
possible, but also with a golden rule at
its core: Airline safety comes first.
Air Transport World
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