Legislation to Accelerate UAS Integration for Commerce and Recreation
DJI, the world’s leading manufacturer of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), Friday welcomed the introduction of the Micro Drone Safety and Innovation Act by Senator David Vitter (R-LA).
Sen. Vitter’s bill recognizes the enormous potential of UAS for commercial and recreational use, and would provide the regulatory certainty that the emerging UAS industry needs to take flight.
DJI is pleased that Sen. Vitter’s bill includes a “micro UAS” classification that provides for the commercial operation of small UAS weighing 4.4 pounds or less and flown within line of sight, less than 400 feet above the ground, and more than five miles from airports – common sense rules drawn from guidelines that have served the model aircraft community well for over three decades.
By opening up commercial use for the smallest and safest UAS, this “micro UAS” classification would cut red tape for entrepreneurs, encourage a culture of compliance among users, and safely empower people to use drones as tools to help each other, their communities, and their small businesses.
The Micro Drone Safety and Innovation Act would complement the Federal Aviation Administration’s ongoing development of regulations for larger UAS and more complex operations. Careful consideration of these issues is important to achieve the full integration of UAS into the national airspace, but need not preclude the implementation of easy-to-follow rules for the low-risk micro UAS category. Further delay in establishing a regulatory regime for UAS runs the risk that the U.S. will lose its place at the forefront of this technology revolution.
The Micro Drone Safety and Innovation Act would accelerate UAS integration and unleash innovation in this transformative sector. DJI looks forward to working with others in Congress to advance the bill and on other opportunities to realize the promise that UAS hold in store for industries across the U.S. economy.
