FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 29, 2017
Contact: Tom McMahon, tmcmahon@auvsi.org, (571) 255-7786

AUVSI Testifies on Emerging Uses for Unmanned Aircraft Systems

President and CEO Brian Wynne urges regulatory framework that allows expanded operations

ARLINGTON, Va. – At a hearing today by the U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation, Brian Wynne, president and CEO of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), discussed steps that the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) industry and the government can take to help tap into the benefits that UAS stand to offer.

Last year, the FAA finalized its small UAS rule, also known as Part 107, paving the way for anyone who follows the rules to fly UAS for commercial purposes. Since then, more than 79,000 platforms and 66,000 remote pilots have been certified to fly for commercial purposes, and the FAA expects more than 400,000 UAS to be flying for commercial purposes over the next five years.

Wynne said in his prepared testimony: “Much has been accomplished so far because government and industry have banded together to advance UAS. The collaborative process in which we have engaged, and the goals we share of supporting innovation and ensuring the safety of the national airspace, have made for a working relationship that is defined by both productivity and mutual respect. This has led to a more flexible and nimble approach to regulating UAS as well as to more businesses adopting the technology. The United States was once falling behind the rest of the world in embracing UAS; now our country is leading the way.”

An economic analysis by AUVSI found that the expansion of UAS technology stands to create more than 100,000 jobs and generate more than $82 billion to the economy in the first decade following full integration in to the national airspace. According to Wynne, these numbers could go even higher under the right conditions.

“These ‘right conditions’ will require a regulatory framework that incorporates rules for expanded uses such as nighttime operations and flights over people,” Wynne said.

Wynne identified several areas where industry-government collaboration can help further the UAS industry, including UAS Traffic Management (UTM) and Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC). He also cited recent public policy developments, such as the restoration of UAS registration that was included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and the establishment by the White House of a UAS Integration Pilot Program for state, local and tribal governments to provide input on UAS regulation to the FAA, as initiatives that are helping to advance the UAS industry.

“The UAS industry is primed for incredible growth, thanks to industry representatives and government regulators nurturing innovation that helps businesses be competitive in the marketplace,” Wynne said. “We hope that these efforts can be sustained, that a long-term FAA bill can be passed, and that together we continue to reach new historic milestones in integrating this technology into the national airspace and pave the way for regular and widespread UAS use.”

Wynne’s full testimony is attached.

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About AUVSI
The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) — the world's largest non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of unmanned systems and robotics — represents more than 7,500 members from more than 60 countries involved in the fields of government, industry and academia. AUVSI members work in the defense, civil and commercial markets. For more information, visit AUVSI.org.