VAI/Mark Bennett Illustration VAI responds to FAA proposal on restricting UAS ops near fixed-site facilities By VAI Staff VAI on Aug. 4 submitted its comments on the FAA’s notice of proposed rulemaking Designation-Restrict the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft in Close Proximity to a Fixed Site Facility. VAI’s comments highlight support of the FAA’s objective of protecting critical infrastructure, sensitive facilities, and the public from unsafe or unauthorized unmanned aircraft operations. The association also recognizes Congress’s directive that the FAA establish a process through which certain fixed-site facilities may request unmanned aircraft flight restrictions. However, VAI also conveys its concerns that the FAA’s proposed framework doesn’t adequately balance security objectives, operational practicality, and the continued safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into the National Airspace System (NAS). We believe the most effective security framework is one that promotes critical coordination between legitimate operators, provides facilities with meaningful situational awareness, and preserves the ability of manned and unmanned aircraft to safely share the NAS. View VAI’s actual responses to the direct questions the FAA posed in the rulemaking for more details.
