Members Invited To Share Comments On The Registration Process

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has accepted an invitation to be among the participating organizations on the recently announced Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Registration Task Force Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC), which will determine regulations governing the registration of private and recreationally operated UAS.

Sarah Wolf, NBAA senior manager of security and facilitation, will represent the business aviation community on the task force announced Oct. 19 by U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Anthony Foxx.

"I think NBAA is in a unique position going forward with this process," said Wolf. "Registration will be an important foundation for safe UAS operations in the National Airspace System (NAS), and as a representative of companies that employ professional pilots in manned operations, and companies that seek to use UAS to support their businesses, NBAA is well suited to provide guidance on this issue."

According to Foxx, the registration program will build on requirements for commercial s-UAS currently operated under Section 333 exemptions from the FAA. The agency hopes that registration of privately operated unmanned aircraft will help educate new users about risks associated with flying UAS near manned aircraft, and serve as an enforcement tool when unsafe operations are identified.

The task force is expected to issue its proposal by Nov. 20 in order to launch the registration program in time for the U.S. holiday season, during which the agency expects thousands of small unmanned aircraft systems (s-UAS) to be given as gifts.

NBAA has long maintained that it is imperative that any introduction plan for UAS be focused on safety. This means UAS should not share the same airspace with manned aircraft until they have equivalent certification and airworthiness standards as manned aircraft, including the ability to take timely directions from air traffic control, and to sense and avoid manned aircraft and other UAS.

NBAA personnel have participated in UAS working groups through RTCA for nearly 10 years, and the Association has unveiled an expansive online resource covering developments in the UAS industry of importance to the business aviation community. Review NBAA's UAS resources.

Earlier this year, NBAA joined the "Know Before You Fly" educational initiative to provide prospective UAS users with the information and guidance they need to fly UAS safely and responsibly. NBAA has also expanded the availability of UAS-related materials and seminars, with sessions at the Association’s events addressing the safe operation of UAS, as well as their potential uses within the business aviation industry.

At the upcoming 2015 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA2015), set for Nov. 17 to 19 in Las Vegas, NV, seminars will address the rapid maturation of "detect and avoid" UAS technology, and existing and potential uses of s-UAS in business aviation.

Approximately 30 representatives from the UAS and manned aircraft industries, the federal government and other aviation stakeholders will work on the task force. NBAA Members currently operating UAS, those considering future uses for unmanned aircraft, and manned aircraft operators that will share the airspace with UAS are invited to share their comments on the registration process with NBAA.

(Images from file)

FMI: www.nbaa.org