Statement Follows U.S. Court Of Appeals Ruling Vacating Registration Rule For Model aircraft

Following  the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruling vacating the FAA registration rule for recreational unmanned aerial system (UAS), the Small UAV Coalition issued a call for "reasonable authority" for the FAA to do what is necessary for the safe integration of unmanned aircraft into the national airspace.

The rule was vacated on the grounds that it violates a provision of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 that prohibits the FAA from promulgating “any rules or regulation regarding a model aircraft.”

In a statement, the Small UAV Coalition said the viability and growth of the UAS industry is contingent on the safe and responsible integration of UAS technology. "This is only possible if all operators – commercial and recreational alike – understand their responsibilities and remain informed of the evolving standards around UAS technology. Today’s ruling generates uncertainty by eliminating a tool developed to maintain accountability and enable streamlined communication between the FAA and recreational UAS operators," the coalition said.

"The FAA must have appropriate authority to maintain reasonable oversight of UAS operations, including management of a national UAS registry, which is the first step to identifying UAS operating in the national airspace. A lack of reasonable authority will inhibit safe integration and ultimately obstruct commercial UAS operations, putting the United States at risk of falling behind global competitors who are increasingly embracing the benefits of UAS. The Small UAV Coalition looks forward to working with lawmakers and regulators to ensure that the FAA has the authority necessary to facilitate the safe, widespread, and expeditious integration of UAS into the national airspace (NAS)."

In a statement, the FAA said: "We are carefully reviewing the U.S. Court of Appeals decision as it relates to drone registrations. The FAA put registration and operational regulations in place to ensure that drones are operated in a way that is safe and does not pose security and privacy threats. We are in the process of considering our options and response to the decision."

(Source: Small UAV Coalition statement. Image from file)

FMI: www.smalluavcoalition.org, www.faa.gov