Ensuring Safe Airspace as Drones Proliferate

December 15, 2016 - This week, EAA’s Vice President of Advocacy and Safety Sean Elliott is in Washington, D.C. to participate in the second team meeting of the new FAA/Industry Unmanned Aircraft Safety Team (UAST). The UAST was created as an advisory panel similar to the long-standing GA-Joint Steering Committee, which has been an effective, valuable group to pinpoint safety issues and possible solutions for general aviation. Elliott, as the industry GA-JSC co-chairman, brings that body’s knowledge to this new safety team that highlights unmanned flight safety. 

Among the UAST’s key functions are data-driven risk assessment, prioritization of hazards, and development of safety enhancements for the emerging unmanned aircraft community. EAA sees its participation as not only essential to represent the interests of its membership and the GA community, but to ensure the overall safety of GA aircraft and pilots in the national airspace system.