In March, the UAS Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) submitted its final report to the FAA, providing recommendations for new regulations to normalize drone operations BVLOS. Routine commercial drone operations hold promise to provide economic, sustainability, and equity benefits to the public. 

This week, FAA hosted a public listening session to solicit feedback about the ARC’s report. During the virtual meeting, Executive Director of the FAA UAS Integration Office Jay Merkle explained for public viewers that the current regulatory framework, founded on the assumption that there is a pilot crewing every aircraft, has hindered the drone community. Merkle asserted that the ARC report presents the committee’s viewpoint on what is necessary beyond existing FAA regulations to ensure the BVLOS ecosystem moves forward effectively.  

Michael Robbins, AUVSI Executive Vice-President of Government and Public Affairs, provided comments that outlined AUVSI’s engagement in the BVLOS ARC proceedings and its release of the final report. As he mentioned, several of their air advocacy committee members, board members, and President and CEO Brian Wynne participated in the ARC’s proceedings and contributed to the final report. 

AUVSI concurs with the report’s recommendations because the report prioritizes safety first, is the product of a transparent and open process, and represents compromise among stakeholders. In his remarks, Robbins praised the drone industry and the greater aviation industry’s work in compromising in order to attain comprehensive regulations. He also expressed AUVSI’s support for the FAA to issue a BVLOS notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) as soon as possible. AUVSI encourages the FAA to standardize the review process for BVLOS waivers to ensure safety and provide certainty for regulated entities.  

Listen to his full remarks: