Washington, D.C. – 25 FEB 2013 - Congressmen Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA) and Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Chairmen of the Congressional Unmanned Systems Caucus (CUSC), welcome the FAA’s release of the Screening Information Request (SIR) on Thursday, February 14^th. The release of the SIR is a critical milestone toward the Congressionally mandated implementation of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) into the National Air Space (NAS) by 2015. The CUSC stands committed to ensuring the process is achieved as thoroughly and expeditiously as possible. UAS implementation will have an untold benefit to state and local economies while enhancing the capabilities of both private and public agencies.

 

The February 14^th release marked the one year anniversary of the 2012 FAA Modernization Act which set the requirements for UAS implementation. While certainly a milestone achievement, these actions are still significantly behind the timeline set forth in the legislation. The SIR and Request for Comments solicits “…comments on the FAA’s proposed approach for addressing the privacy questions raised by the public and Congress….”  The Caucus continues to advocate that privacy issues are not the purview of the FAA, and any attempt to address these issues will further delay UAS integration. The Caucus is fully aware of the privacy implications unmanned systems pose and is actively engaged with other federal agencies, as well as Members of Congress to ensure they are adequately addressed in the proper manner.

 

This year will prove critical for the effective integration of Unmanned Systems in the National Air Space. Its success will be driven by the effective coordination between the FAA and the various other federal agencies, state and local governments, private industry, and research and development institutions. The Congressional Unmanned Systems Caucus remains focused on the continued education of congressional members and recognizes the overwhelming value of unmanned systems in the scientific, intelligence, law enforcement, and homeland security communities. The members of the bipartisan caucus are committed to the growth and expansion of these systems in all sectors. More information is available at http://unmannedsystemscaucus.mckeon.house.gov/