Opinion: Why we need rules of the road — so to speak — for drones

By: Guy Fraker 
May 30, 2014  

At an unmanned systems trade show in early May, the Federal Aviation Administration announced it is planning to allow limited commercial uses of unmanned aircraft systems before it finalizes rules for the technology. 

This is tremendous news, as it will allow businesses to monitor oil pipelines or give virtual real estate tours. But the FAA is already years behind on the process to integrate UAS into U.S. airspace, and these regulatory delays are holding back a host of societal and economic benefits. (See Crain's story: "A new way to photograph homes for sale: via drone.")

UAS technology is ready to be used today. But regulations haven't kept pace. The proposed rules for small UAS is expected later this year — more than five years after the FAA began work on it. Meanwhile, confusion in the regulations is leading some people to fly drones illegally, a dangerous situation.

Safety should be the primary concern in the integration process, and the UAS industry has worked with the FAA and others in the aviation industry on safety issues. The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, along with 32 other groups, recently sent a letter to the FAA encouraging it to expedite the UAS rulemaking process to ensure airspace safety and to allow commercial applications of the technology. Signees included representatives of the manned aviation community, farmers and even Realtors.

In addition to all of the businesses that will benefit from the technology, the industry is projected to create thousands of jobs in Illinois and across the nation when integration is complete. 

BILLIONS IN ECONOMIC IMPACT

AUVSI's economic impact report found that the industry will create more than 100,000 jobs and $82 billion in economic impact in the first decade after integration. In Illinois, during that same period, the industry will create more than 1,500 jobs and $1.22 billion in economic impact. But each day that integration is delayed means $27.6 million in economic impact is lost.

Amazon.com Inc., Google Inc. and Domino's Pizza have attracted much of the attention when it comes to UAS, but the reality is agriculture is expected to make up 80 percent of the UAS market. Drones will help farmers to more easily monitor fields and detect crop stress and disease. This technology will offer tremendous benefits to Illinois' $9 billion agriculture industry.

All of this, though, depends on the FAA creating regulations for the use of UAS. Allowing limited commercial use will help end the confusion in regulations and help keep our airspace safe. It also would allow businesses to realize the benefits of the technology. 

We need to make sure that our regulations keep pace with the technology and allow the industry to grow. Regulators, the UAS industry and the aviation community need to work together to help UAS reach their full potential.

Guy Fraker is charter president of the Heartland Chapter of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International.

Source: http://www.chicagobusiness.com