The press release states, "Every day, the FFA receives reports of potentially unsafe UAS operations. Pilot sightings of UAS doubled between 2014 and 2015. The reports ranged from incidents at major sporting events and flights near manned aircraft, to interference with wildfire operations."
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Huerta says, "These reports signal a troubling trend. Registration will help make sure that operators know the rules and remain accountable to the public for flying their unmanned aircraft responsibly. When they don’t fly safely, they’ll know there will be consequences."
UAS popularity has continued to grow in agricultural circles as well as hobby circles, and as with any new movement, regulations surrounding those endeavors are beginning to pop up to protect public safety. Of note is the distinction that the task force will address registration, not certification or licensing, but will, nonetheless, address hobby operators as well as private and commercial operators.
Several private and public companies and industry agencies have lined up in support of a registration process.
Brandon Torres Declet, CEO of private drone technology company Measure, says, "Too many newcomers to the industry have ignored the rules and put aircraft in the national airspace at risk, while commercial drone service providers have made the effort to work with the FAA. This pattern has been bad for business, bad for the industry and bad for the American public. Over 1 million drones will be sold over the holiday season, and we need to ensure that everyone learns how to operate safely.
"The technology is clearly here and can be used to society’s advantage; what the industry needs are reasonable regulations to ensure safe operations while respecting people’s privacy. The FAA’s rules should be welcomed by all drones operators who care about keeping the American public safe."
National Corn Growers Association President Chip Bowling, a farmer from Newburg, Maryland, threw his support behind the initiative, and says, "As with any technology, unmanned aerial systems will make our farms safer, more efficient and more environmentally friendly. That's good for farmers, good for consumers and good for the environment.
"We support reasonable rules and regulations to govern UAS technology. Most farmers who use a drone will do so over open cropland in rural areas, far away from airports or large population centers. We hope the Federal Aviation Administration will recognize the important commercial applications of UAS technology and create rules that will put the technology in farmers' hands."
The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International estimates that agriculture will account for as much as 80 percent of all commercial UAS use. Applications of UAS include crop scouting, early detection of pest infestations and crop disease, more precise application of fertilizers and other crop inputs. FG
