EAA Reinforces the Priority of Manned Flight in sUAS ANPRM Comments

April 18, 2019 - EAA submitted comments to the FAA on Monday in response to an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) the Agency released regarding the integration of small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS), commonly known as drones, into the national airspace system (NAS).

EAA’s position is and has always been that manned flight must have priority to safely navigate the NAS, must face no new airspace restrictions, and must be subject to no new equipment mandates. The comments submitted to the FAA reflect those beliefs.

EAA’s comments support mandatory stand-off distances from manned aircraft and the use of traffic avoidance and management technology by the sUAS community to ensure that drones are deconflicted from all manned aircraft – from ultralights to airliners. The comments also address concerns around hazardous cargo, performance limitations, and redundancy in system architecture.

In addressing potential traffic management requirements for sUAS, EAA took care to assert that model aircraft flying from designated model fields or otherwise operating within the provisions of the model aircraft rules established by Congress should not be subject to any further regulatory burden.

UAS is an important and exciting frontier in aviation, and EAA recognizes this. EAA’s position is one of caution, especially concerning beyond the visual line of sight operations, but not of opposition.

EAA’s comments are available online in full. EAA will continue to monitor sUAS policy as it takes form.