Feb. 12, 2020
NBAA has asked the FAA to extend by 60 days the comment period on its recent notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on remote identification of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), in order to provide the business aviation industry sufficient time to offer a detailed and thorough analysis of this important regulation.
The FAA’s 319-page NPRM, which was issued on Dec. 26, seeks to balance safety, national security and law enforcement requirements with the further integration of UAS, or drones, into domestic airspace, while offering drone operators greater operational capabilities.
In addition to the creation of a new Federal Aviation Regulation – FAR Part 89 – for remote identification of unmanned aircraft systems, the NPRM also details plans for the FAA to create new definitions for “unmanned aircraft system,” “unmanned aircraft system service supplier” and “visual line of sight,” as well as the amendment of transponder and automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast requirements in FAR Parts 91 and 107, and the adjustment of aircraft registration requirements contained in FAR Parts 47 and 48.
The FAA’s current 60-day comment period on the drone identification rule ends March 2.
“NBAA and our members appreciate that the FAA is eager to finalize such a critical part of its effort to integrate UAS and other emerging technologies into the national airspace system,” said Heidi Williams, NBAA’s director of air traffic services and infrastructure. “This proposed rulemaking addresses complex issues that will be foundational to the future of UAS, and it is imperative that every stakeholder is given enough time to analyze all aspects of the proposed rule in order to deliver substantive and meaningful comments.
“NBAA appreciates the benefits of fuller integration of UAS into our national airspace system and we applaud the FAA for getting this proposed rule out for comment,” Williams added. “We are simply asking the FAA to consider the request for additional time to ensure industry can thoroughly digest and respond to the host of issues raised with this NPRM.”
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.