Federal Aviation Administration ‘committed’ to approval of drones, but a lot has to be figured out first

From farmers to filmmakers, a host of American industries eagerly await the opportunity to take advantage of drones.

But the slow wheels of Washington could slow the job creation, economic impact and technological advances offered by the unmanned craft. The Federal Aviation Administration has been charged by Congress to integrate commercial drones into U.S. airspace by September 2015 — a goal that looks less realistic each day.

“I’m confident that they’re working diligently. I’m not confident they will meet all the deadlines,” said Rep. Michael R. Turner, Ohio Republican, who on Wednesday toured the showroom at the drone industry’s annual convention, held this year at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in the District.

“Deadlines have slipped before. But I do think that we have full commitment from the FAA,” Mr. Turner added.

For its part, the federal government admits the task of working drones into national airspace is a painstaking process.

As part of its integration mission, the FAA is working on rules and regulations to govern “small” unmanned aerial vehicles, defined as craft weighing less than 55 pounds.

Industry leaders had hoped to have already seen those rules, but they continue to wait.

“The small [drone] rule is one that we’re committed to getting done. Given the topic and given some of the questions that have come up, it has taken more time than we would like it to have,” said John Porcari, U.S. deputy secretary of transportation, who addressed conventiongoers in a keynote speech Wednesday morning. The Transportation Department oversees the FAA.

Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com