CEI Comments on FAA Drone Regulations

Today, June 21, 2016, the Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration finalized their operational rules for commercial use of small unmanned aircraft systems. Transportation policy expert Marc Scribner responded:

The new FAA drone rules are disappointing and overly restrictive. The FAA ignored calls for less onerous regulations, dismissing arguments that advances in technology would mitigate many of the agency’s stated concerns. Restrictions on beyond-visual-line-of-sight, nighttime, and other crucial operations for emerging business models can only be waived on a rigid case-by-case basis. Congress should reopen discussions on the unmanned aircraft provisions of both the House and Senate FAA reauthorization plans to temper damage done by the agency. Congress must step in if the United States is going to remain a leader in this very important emerging transportation technology.

Related blog post:
FAA's Long-Delayed Drone Certification and Operations Rule Disappoints

Related study:
Keeping the Skies Open for Drones