U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security, will convene a hearing on Tuesday, March 24, 2015, at 2:30 p.m. entitled, “Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Key Considerations Regarding Safety, Innovation, Economic Impact, and Privacy.” The hearing will examine broadly the potential beneficial uses for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and the efforts of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on safe integration of UAS in the National Airspace System. It will also explore potential privacy concerns associated with this emerging technology.

FAA officials will provide an update on the agency’s efforts to safely integrate UAS, and the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration will discuss its new process for formulating industry best practices to address privacy concerns associated with commercial UAS. The U.S. Government Accountability Office will offer its perspective on implementation issues and test site development. Other witnesses will share industry views on current federal actions, expected uses of the new technology, and the capacity for innovation that could provide positive economic impacts associated with expanded use of UAS.  

Witnesses:

• Ms. Margaret Gilligan, Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety, Federal Aviation Administration
• Mr. John B. Morris, Jr., Associate Administrator, Office of Policy Analysis and Development, National Telecommunications and Information Administration
• Dr. Gerald Dillingham, Director of Civil Aviation Issues, U.S. Government Accountability Office
• Prof. John Villasenor, Nonresident Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution
• Mr. Paul Misener, Vice President of Global Public Policy, Amazon, Inc.
• Mr. Jeff VanderWerff, VWO, LLC., representing the American Farm Bureau Federation

Hearing Details:

Tuesday, March 24, 2015
2:30 p.m.

Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee hearing entitled, “Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Key Considerations Regarding Safety, Innovation, Economic Impact, and Privacy.” 

This hearing will take place in Senate Russell Office Building, Room 253. Witness testimony, opening statements, and a live video of the hearing will be available on this page.

For reporters interested in reserving a seat, please contact the press gallery:

• Periodical Press Gallery – 202-224-0265

• Radio/Television Gallery – 202-224-6421

• Press Photographers Gallery – 202-224-6548

• Daily Press Gallery – 202-224-0241

Individuals with disabilities who require an auxiliary aid or service, including closed captioning service for the webcast hearing, should contact Stephanie Gamache at 202-224-5511 at least three business days in advance of the hearing date.