Written by Adam Siegler, Jordan D. Grotzinger, and Alais L. M. Griffin‡.
The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 addressed the integration of civil unmanned aircraft systems, also known as UAS or drones, into the national airspace system. The Act requires the Secretary of Transportation to develop, among other things, a comprehensive integration plan and rules governing the operation of small UAS. On Feb. 15, 2015, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued its proposed rules. According to the Secretary of Transportation, UAS “technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace and this milestone allows federal regulations and the use of our national airspace to evolve to safely accommodate innovation.”
The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking will be available for public comment for 60 days following its publication in the Federal Register. Interested and affected companies have the opportunity to provide comments on the FAA proposal and shape the final UAS rule. This client Alert provides an overview of what the FAA has proposed.
‡Not admitted in Washington, D.C. Admitted in Illinois and New York.