In response to new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) data revealing an increase in “drone” sightings, Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) President & CEO Brian Wynne said, “The proliferation of irresponsible UAS flights underscores the need for the FAA to finalize its small UAS rules and more aggressively enforce existing regulations.
“AUVSI supports stricter enforcement of careless and reckless operators and those who violate restricted airspace,” Wynne said. “Stricter enforcement will not only punish irresponsible operators, it will also serve as a deterrent to others who may misuse the technology. The FAA currently has the authority to levy hefty civil penalties.”
Wynne added that, “Meanwhile, the FAA needs to finalize its small UAS rules, which would require all UAS operators to follow the safety programming of a community-based organization or abide by new UAS rules for commercial operators. Once the rules are finalized, consumers will no longer be able to fly without any oversight or education.”
Finally, Wynne stated that, “AUVSI has been working closely with the Academy of Model Aeronautics and the FAA since last year on the ‘Know Before You Fly’ campaign to educate newcomers to UAS technology about where they should and should not fly. Safety is a top priority for the industry and a shared responsibility for all UAS stakeholders. It’s critical that we continue to work together to ensure the safety of the airspace for all aircraft – manned and unmanned.”
