A coalition of industry organisations led by the United States Chamber of Commerce have formerly requested the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to swiftly issue rules to enable beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) for uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS).
The organisations, including the Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association and the Wireless Infrastructure Association, wrote to US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg on July 24 to highlight the urgent need for regulatory updates that “align with the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, unlock the benefits of BVLOS operations, and catalyse aviation innovation, while securing the safety of people and property”.
Section 930 of the latest FAA Reauthorization Act, which was signed into law by President Biden on May 16 mandates the FAA to finalise a rule to enable routine BVLOS operations within 20 months of enactment. “Failure to move quickly will allow the current regulatory framework to remain in place,” the letter states. “The current regulatory framework limits the ability of operators to utilise drones for certain safety-enhancing applications and operate at scale.”
The organisations point to current law that requires applicants to seek a waiver or exemption from the FAA’s Part 107 rules to conduct BVLOS operations. “To date, the FAA has issued several BVLOS waivers and exemptions for purposes including infrastructure monitoring and inspection, delivery, and public safety,” the letter continues. “While a case-by-case approach was initially necessary to enable limited operations and strengthen understanding of BVLOS operations, the waiver and exemption processes is costly, time consuming, and cumbersome. A BVLOS rule will streamline processes and provide greater certainty for industry.”
The letter also includes a call for the FAA to issue a rule to bolster economic competitiveness. “Part 107’s restriction on BVLOS operations limits the economic potential of drones,” the organisations state. “Enabling widespread BVLOS operations will strengthen economic competitiveness by unlocking new business models, increasing productivity, and creating economic opportunities for small businesses. For example, drone delivery would enable small businesses to access new consumers and deliver goods more efficiently, and drones can be used to more effectively inspect and build infrastructure.”
As well as Secretary Buttigieg, the letter was also sent to FAA Administrator, Michael Whitaker; Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas; Attorney General at the US Department of Justice, Merrick B. Garland; and National Security Advisor at the Executive Office of the President, Jake Sullivan.
The signatories of the letter are: American Council of Engineering Companies, American Gas Association, American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers, American Petroleum Institute, American Property Casualty Insurance Association, Association of American Railroads, Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International, Commercial Drone Alliance, Consumer Technology Association, The Wireless Association, Edison Electric Institute, The Global Association for the Attractions Industry, Interstate Natural Gas Association of America, Motion Picture Association, The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association, National Association of Manufacturers, National Press Photographers Association, National Retail Federation, The Internet & Television Association, News/Media Alliance, Retail Industry Leaders Association, Security Industry Association, The Small UAV Coalition, US Chamber of Commerce, and Wireless Infrastructure Association.
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