Calls UAV's 'Definition Of Disruptive Technology' At NBAA

FAA Administrator Michael Huerta told attendees at the NBAA convention in Las Vegas that he expects to have the recommendations of the UAV registration task force on his desk by Friday.

Huerta was one of several speakers at the Opening General Session Tuesday morning at the convention.

Huerta said that UAV's have become the very definition of disruptive technology. "It's our mission to make sure that the disruption that takes place is the desirable type, in the sense that these small aircraft have tremendous potential for improving the way whole segments of the country do business."

Huerta pointed out that more than 700,000 new unmanned aircraft will be sold over the holidays. "Operators with little or no aviation experience will be at the controls of many of these aircraft, and many of these new aviators might not even be aware that their activities could be dangerous to other aircraft," Huerta said, "or that they should even be considered aviators at all."

Hureta said that he expects that proposed rules for registration of UAVs crafted by a special task force over the past month will be released Friday. "In addition to promoting a sense of accountability among operators, we hope that registration will instill a sense of responsibility, and will prompt owners to become more educated about safe flying."

Huerta said that a streamlined and easy registration process will also make it easier to find people who ignore rules and who operate in an unsafe manner.

NBAA has been a strong proponant of registering all UAVs operating in the national airspace, including those flown strictly for recreation purposes.

(Staff image)

FMI: www.faa.gov