Oct. 31, 2019
The FAA’s first National Drone Safety Awareness Week, which is being held from Nov. 4-10, is a timely reminder of the profound impact of new technologies on our industry, and the important role NBAA’s new Emerging Technologies Committee will have in shaping the future of national and global aviation safety and policy.
Unveiled less than three months ago, NBAA’s newest standing committee is focused on promising aviation technologies such as unmanned aircraft systems, urban air mobility and unmanned traffic management as well as autonomous operations, electric propulsion and other future technologies and infrastructure.
The Emerging Technologies Committee also will spearhead educational and training sessions for NBAA members, and represent the business aviation community by liaising with industry organizations and regulators in the U.S. and around the world.
Safety was a primary topic during the inaugural meeting of the Emerging Technologies Committee, which was held during the 2019 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition(NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas, NV, itself a showcase of business aviation’s embrace of innovation in aviation. Consisting of more than 20 members, the inaugural meeting boasted experts from across the industry with experience in developing and manufacturing emerging technologies, integrating technologies into the National Airspace System (NAS) and supporting emerging technology infrastructure as well as recognized authorities in aviation law, insurance and training.
Emerging technologies also were on display throughout the show at the new UAS/UAM exhibit area on the show floor, as well as during numerous education sessions taking place during the show.
“The Emerging Technologies Committee is a foundation for NBAA to be a leading advocate on national and global rulemaking, standards setting and policy,” said Heidi Williams, NBAA’s director of air traffic services and infrastructure. “NBAA is committed to ensuring that the merger of manned and unmanned systems is conducted in a way that promotes safety and strengthens the NAS’s position as the safest and most efficient aerospace system in the world.”
Maintaining the safety and efficiency of the NAS is core to the FAA’s National Drone Safety Awareness Week. The country-wide event aims to educate the public about drone safety by promoting the positive contributions drones can bring to local communities and businesses and highlighting the joys of recreational drone flying.
The FAA encourages drone operators and the broader aviation community to participate in raising the public’s awareness of drone safety. Learn more about National Drone Safety Awareness Week.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.