Wyden Asks FAA to Stop Foot-Dragging on Drone Regulations

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Kirsten Nicolaisen, GoLocalPDX Digital Producer

Aerial demonstrators at the United States Naval unmanned aerial vehicle air demonstration via Wikimedia Commons

Senator Ron Wyden asked the FAA Tuesday Morning to stop foot-dragging on new regulations for unmanned drones.

The uncertainty in rules governing Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), could delay growth in Oregon's drone industry, according to Wyden.

The FAA created six test sites across the country to study UAS in response to a request from Congress in 2012 to create safer regulations. The FAA has until September 2015 to create a strategy to integrate unmanned aircrafts into U.S. airspace.

“In light of recent reports, I am concerned that proposed regulations on small, commercial unmanned aircraft will be costly, needlessly restrictive and hinder research and development for the growing UAS industry,” said Wyden. “The FAA needs to act quickly to alleviate these concerns and issue guidelines for developers and operators of unmanned aircraft that will give certainty to the UAS industry and ensure the safety and privacy of Americans.”

Wyden, along with senators Jeff Merkley, Heidi Heitkamp and John Hoeven of Nevada, and Cory Booker of New Jersey, asked the FAA to streamline its process for allowing drone operators to test their aircrafts at designated sites.

“This industry cannot continue to grow without further direction and guidance from the FAA on its planned regulations,” the senators wrote in a letter.

Oregon is home to three UAS test ranges: the Warm Springs Indian Reservation and airspace outside Pendleton and Tillamook.