Stakeholders have until April 15 to submit comments on the Federal Aviation Administration’s proposed rule to allow the operation of small unmanned aircraft systems (drones) at night and over people under certain conditions without obtaining a waiver. If finalized, the proposal would amend the FAA’s 2016 final rule, which set standards for operation and operator certification for non-recreational use of drones weighing less than 55 pounds.
According to the FAA, the proposal aims to further integrate drones safely into the national airspace system and attempts to balance the need to mitigate safety risks without inhibiting technological and operational advances. The amendments would allow expanded drone operations and reduce the knowledge testing burden on remote pilots in command certificate holders.
More information on recent drone initiatives can be found on the FAA’s website.
