Calls The Announcement 'Encouraging'

Following an announcement Wednesday by the White House of a plan to speed the integration of UAS into the National Airspace, Congressman Rick Larsen (D-WA), the ranking Democrat on the House Aviation Subcommittee, released a statement supporting the President's plan.

“The drone industry holds enormous potential for American businesses, and the announcement today shows the administration seeks to foster safe development and integration of UAS into the national airspace. Today’s announcement is encouraging, and I look forward to continuing to work with my Congressional colleagues and all stakeholders on a comprehensive approach to move this burgeoning industry forward,” said Larsen (pictured).
 
Larsen said he has helped lead Congressional efforts to establish clear regulations for commercial drones. In 2015, Larsen praised the Federal Aviation Administration’s decision to create a registration process for unmanned aircraft systems and in 2016 Larsen said the FAA’s final rule regarding the use of small drones was “an important first step in establishing rules of the road.”
 
In the 115th Congress, Larsen has participated in a series of hearings on growth in the drone and commercial space industry, modernizing the national airspace as part of the FAA’s NextGen program, alleviating congestion and improving user experience at Sea-Tac and reforming aircraft certification to help U.S. manufacturers and transport products to market more quickly.

(Source: Congressman Larsen news release. Image from file)

FMI: larsen.house.gov