Integrating unmanned aircraft systems into national airspace moving slower than expected

WASHINGTON– U.S. Representative Richard Hanna sent a letter on Wednesday to the Federal Aviation Administration asking it to speed up progress on integrating unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace and outlined his concerns with test site delays.

Rep. Hanna wrote to FAA Administrator Michael P. Huerta to acknowledge the FAA’s work to safely and effectively test unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) at various sites throughout the United States, but noted that two test sites have yet to begin testing, including one in upstate New York.

Griffiss International Airport in Rome, N.Y. is home to the Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance – or NUAIR – which was selected in December 2013 as one of the FAA’s six nationwide UAS test sites. NUAIR is headquartered at the Griffiss International Airport in Rome and Joint Base Cape Cod in Massachusetts. It awaits operational clearance from the FAA along with a site at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

“I have concerns about the frequent delays and roadblocks that continue to stifle the progress of our test sites and ultimately safe integration of these promising new technologies,” Rep. Hanna said. “I ask the FAA to prioritize those tasks that may be more feasible in the immediate future, including finalization of the rule for small unmanned aircraft and expedited processing of the pending applications that would make the two remaining test range sites in New York and Virginia operational for testing.

“The FAA can help this multi-billion dollar high-tech industry get off the ground by moving expeditiously at this critical juncture. Communities and businesses across the country desperate to grow are poised to create good-paying jobs, and I urge the FAA to be a more engaged partner in this effort.”

NUAIR is an alliance of more than 40 private and public entities and academic institutions from across New York and Massachusetts that have partnered to promote Griffiss as an ideal location to conduct testing and research to allow for the safe integration of unmanned vehicles and systems into the national airspace.

Read the full letter to FAA Administrator Huerta below:

July 16, 2014

Dear Administrator Huerta,
 
I write to you regarding the Federal Aviation Administration’s progress with the integration of civil unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into the national airspace system (NAS), as directed by the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (P.L. 112-95).
 
I am pleased with the tasks that have been successfully completed to date, including the establishment of the FAA’s UAS Integration office; the drafting and release of the UAS Comprehensive Plan and the first annual UAS Integration Roadmap; the selection and continued establishment of the six UAS test range sites; and the approval of commercial UAS operations in Alaska and the Arctic.  However, I also have concerns about the prevalence of delays and roadblocks that continue to stifle the progress of safe integration.

As the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General’s (DOT OIG) June 26, 2014 Audit Report demonstrated, there are still a number of significant obstacles that the FAA must overcome to achieve safe integration of UAS into the NAS, and “the Agency is significantly behind schedule in meeting most of [the UAS-related provisions of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012]…”.  I recognize the immense challenges that the FAA faces with conducting these new integration efforts in a responsible manner that prioritizes safety, and appreciate the FAA’s rationale that the agency has faced extended difficulties with meeting these objectives as a result of fiscal constraints and the requirements of our regulatory procedures.  Nonetheless, I implore the FAA to prioritize those tasks that may be more feasible in the immediate future, including finalization of the small UAS rule and expedited operationalization of the two remaining UAS test range sites at New York’s Griffiss International Airport and the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
 
Further, I support the FAA’s adherence to consider exemption requests filed pursuant to Section 333 of P.L. 112-95 to determine if certain UAS may operate safely in the NAS while efforts to complete the broader plan and rulemaking requirements move forward.  I commend the recognition by both the FAA and interested entities from the UAS industry that Section 333 allows for an outlet to facilitate the safe and responsible commercial operation of specific UAS platforms for such purposes including closed set filmmaking, agriculture, surveying, and dangerous safety inspections.  As the DOT OIG audit laid out in its conclusion, “Now is the time, while UAS operations are currently still limited, for FAA to build critical knowledge by collecting and analyzing UAS safety data and better managing its oversight through the UAS integration office.”  I agree with this synopsis, and encourage you to continue to work with industry partners, the UAS test range sites, and other pertinent stakeholders to engage feedback on creative solutions and best practices that will allow for collection and analysis of the critical data needed to transition towards integration in a safe, consistent, and effective manner.
 
Again, thank you for your leadership and commitment to working with Congress to further implement the UAS policies dictated under P.L. 112-95.  I encourage you to stay engaged with my office and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on this important topic.  While there is still much work to be done, I recognize the significant progress that has been made by your agency thus far with the resources available, and I look forward to continuing to work with you in partnership towards these objectives in the days and years ahead.

Sincerely,

RICHARD L. HANNA
U.S. Representative