AOPA alerts Congress to UAV threat to GA operations
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Government and
private industry want to expand the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in
domestic airspace. And although the FAA has been considering the issue for more
than 15 years, the agency has yet to find a way to protect civilian aircraft
from UAV midairs except to restrict airspace or require manned chase planes.
That's an
unacceptable situation, AOPA
said Wednesday before the House aviation subcommittee of the Transportation
and Infrastructure Committee.
"We request
the subcommittee to press the FAA for expeditious action on UAV
regulations," AOPA Executive Vice President of Government Affairs Andy
Cebula told the committee. "Neither accidents between UAVs and manned
aircraft, nor the implementation of flight restrictions, are acceptable."
Cebula told the
members of Congress that AOPA members overwhelming favored certifying UAVs to
the same safety requirements — including the ability to safely detect and avoid
other aircraft — as manned aircraft.
"Pilots
do not support airspace restrictions such as TFRs to allow UAVs to operate,
according to our survey," Cebula said. "It's shared, public airspace,
and everything flying in it should be able to do so without threatening the
safety of general aviation pilots."
Pilots told AOPA
that they are concerned about UAVs' inability to detect and avoid other
aircraft, and their inability to respond immediately to air traffic control instructions.
They were also
worried that UAVs have yet to be tested to the same standards as manned
aircraft, and that they have yet to demonstrate that they can operate safely in
shared airspace.
Cebula also told
Congress about problems pilots are experiencing with the TFR protecting Customs
and Border Patrol UAV operations along the border with Mexico.
"Members tell
us there are problems maintaining radio contact with the FAA in areas of high
terrain, yet avoid the TFR," Cebula said. "It has added to the
numerous restricted airspace areas in the Southwest, and it presses pilots to
fly under the ceiling created by the TFR."
And as if to add
insult to injury, a Customs and Border Patrol representative also testifying at
the hearing casually said the agency wanted to extend that TFR from Arizona
across New Mexico and Texas.
"The pressure
for expanded use of UAVs will continue," Cebula said. "The time for
the FAA to act is now."
March
29, 2006