Government Advocacy
AOPA to get a say in UAV certification standards
After asserting for years that unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) should meet the same certification and operational standards as piloted aircraft before being allowed to operate freely in the National Airspace System, AOPA has been asked to participate on the agency’s aviation rulemaking committee to help develop those standards.
The committee will study hazard and safety risks, registration process, pilot training requirements, crew medical requirements, requirements for system certification and continuing airworthiness, economic impact, international harmonization, and communications latency and vulnerability.
“AOPA members continue to express their concerns about collision hazards with UAVs,” said AOPA Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs Rob Hackman, who will be representing the association on the committee. “AOPA wants UAVs to be integrated seamlessly into the National Airspace System so that there isn’t a negative impact on general aviation.”
May 8, 2008
