Podcast: Ensuring a Safe, Secure Future for UAS

Feb. 22, 2021

Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) are here to stay, and business aviation will play a key role in ensuring their safe integration into the National Airspace System. “There’s so much that [NBAA members] bring to the table with regard to history and context and especially airspace operations,” said Heidi Williams, NBAA’s director of air traffic services and infrastructure. “We have decades of history steeped in a safety culture and risk management that new and emerging technologies like drones really can benefit from.”

In this episode of NBAA’s “Flight Plan,” host Rob Finfrock speaks with:

  • Doug Carr, NBAA vice president, regulatory and international affairs
  • Brad Hayden, founder and CEO of Robotic Skies and recently appointed member of the FAA’s Drone Advisory Committee
  • Heidi Williams, NBAA director, air traffic services and infrastructure

Podcast Episode
The NBAA Flight Plan podcast, which ran from 2009 to 2025, provided an overview of important developments affecting NBAA members, and the association’s work to advocate for their interest. The archive of past episodes will remain available for your enjoyment. Please note that no new episodes will be released.

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Jan. 28, 2026

FAA Reopens Comment Period for UAS BVLOS Ops; NBAA Plans Further Feedback

The FAA has reopened the public comment period for the proposed rule “Normalizing Unmanned Aircraft Systems Beyond Visual Line of Sight Operations” after receiving diverse feedback on key technical and safety issues on the proposal during the initial comment period.
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Student Edition 2025/2026

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Sept. 3, 2025

NBAA Survey Aims to Gauge Members’ Opinions on Proposed Rules for Safe Use of Drones

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