AOPA Testifies on UAV Threat to General Aviation

April 18, 2006

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) requested the U.S House of Representatives aviation subcommittee of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to certify unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to the same safety requirements - including the ability to safely detect and avoid other aircraft - as manned aircraft.

According to AOPA, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been considering the issue of protecting civilian aircraft from UAV midairs for over 15 years, but has not found a solution other than to restrict airspace or to require manned chase planes.

"We request the subcommittee to press the FAA for expeditious action on UAV regulations," said AOPA Executive Vice President of Government Affairs Andy Cebula. "Neither accidents between UAVs and manned aircraft, nor the implementation of flight restrictions, are acceptable.

"Pilots do not support airspace restrictions such as TFRs (temporary flight restrictions) to allow UAVs to operate, according to our survey," Cebula said. "It's shared, public airspace, and everything flying in it should be able to do so without threatening the safety of general aviation (GA) pilots."

Pilots told AOPA that they are concerned about UAVs' inability to detect and avoid other aircraft, and their inability to respond immediately to air traffic control instructions. They were also worried that UAVs have yet to be tested to the same standards as manned aircraft, and that they have yet to demonstrate that they can operate safely in shared airspace.

Cebula also told Congress about problems pilots are experiencing with the TFR protecting Customs and Border Patrol UAV operations along the border with Mexico.

"Members tell us there are problems maintaining radio contact with the FAA in areas of high terrain, yet avoid the TFR," Cebula said. "It has added to the numerous restricted airspace areas in the Southwest, and it presses pilots to fly under the ceiling created by the TFR."

A Customs and Border Patrol representative also testifying at the hearing said the agency wanted to extend that TFR from Arizona across New Mexico and Texas.

"The pressure for expanded use of UAVs will continue," Cebula said. "The time for the FAA to act is now."

Source: Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA).