Inside Unmanned Systems provides actionable business intelligence to decision-makers and influencers operating within the global UAS community. Features include analysis of key technologies, policy/regulatory developments and new product design.
Issue link: https://insideunmanned.epubxp.com/i/470284
special report 18 unmanned systems inside Spring 2014 But when asked if there was a way for re- search institutions beyond the initial six test ranges to contribute to FAA's efforts, the agency referred only to its recent announce- ment of plans to establish a UAS Center of Excellence (COE). "The COE," according to the agency, "will enable other research insti- tutions contribute to the FAA's UAS research and to development efforts." Defi ning the Question A surfeit of test ranges willingly contributing results would seem to be a potential boon for an agency that needs answers. It may be, how- ever, that the FAA is not yet in a position to take advantage of any extra help. As of March the agency was still zeroing in on the questions that needed to be answered. Dennis Filler, the director of the FAA's William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic City explained to lawmakers during a roundtable discussing the ranges and the role of his cen- ter that the research plan was not yet defined. "Once I know more I'll be able to formulate a strategy on what I can do with the datasets." "I don't have a problem to solve yet, sir," he added when questioned. "I don't have a problem that says 'OK, I need this amount of data.' " The work to define research needs still ap- peared incomplete as of mid-April. The FAA told Inside Unmanned Systems April 15 it would "route a list of our current UAS research activities and needs to the UAS Test Sites." Aviation authorities have put an appli- cation process in place to allow certain classes of unmanned aircraft to operate commercially before national rules for such activities are approved. Though other nations allow for-profi t operation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) it is currently illegal in the United States. The fi rst set of rules, which would enable small UAVs to operate in the na- tional airspace, are not expected until at least 2016—well after a 2015 deadline set by Congress. There is, however, a provision in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, the same law that set the 2015 deadline, to allow the FAA to permit cer- tain types of UAVs to begin limited opera- tions if the agency determines they "may operate safely in the national airspace system." The FAA has been working to do just that. "Section 333 of our legislation is go- ing to be our best method to allow any commercial operations before the small rule is out. So we're working to defi ne the niche or the areas in order to go out and utilize that portion of the legislation for commercial activities," said Randy Willis, manager of the FAA's Air Traffi c Opera- tions, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Offi ce. The section "basically tells us to go out and do something be- fore regulations are in place and to en- able commercial operations," he said during a March meeting of MAPPS, a national association of fi rms offering surveying, spatial data services and geo- graphic information systems. The FAA offi cial in charge of integrat- ing UAVs into the nation's skyways told members of the House in March the FAA would be allowing early operations. "So you intend to have some approv- als in advance of others?" asked Rep. Richard Hanna, R-N.Y. "We react to the industry coming to us requesting their operations to be ap- proved," said James Williams, manager of the FAA's Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Offi ce, adding his offi ce was working with operators who have asked that their aircraft be approved for opera- tion in the United States. "That is ongo- ing," he told Hanna. "I think section 333 of the FAA Reform Act allows that to take place," said Michael Toscano, the President and CEO of the As- sociation for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International. "That, unless I'm mistaken, that has provisions in there that would al- low approval if there is not a safety risk." "On the record, is that (approvals) your intent?" Hanna asked Williams. "Absolutely," said Williams. "We're work- ing…having conversations about exactly that." John Palatiello, executive director of MAPPS, told Inside Unmanned Systems his organization had met with the FAA on the issue and was told there was an ap- proval process in place. "We now know what the path is," said Palatiello. "It may not be an easy path. It may not be a smooth path. It may not be a straight path—but we do know now that there is a path and we'll pur- sue that." Process in place for nearer-term commercial operation of UASs Photo courtesy of AAI