The Federal Aviation Administration’s Deputy Administrator provides insight into the timeline for developing rules governing Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations, while also detailing plans to integrate both drones and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft into the nation’s airspace.
Who is Bylined to: Jim Magill
A senior Federal Aviation Administration official stated on Tuesday that the agency is committed to meeting the congressional-mandated deadline for releasing a final rule governing beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations by January 2026.
At the FAA’s Drone and Aerial Mobility symposium in Baltimore on Tuesday, Deputy Administrator Katie Thomson announced that the agency intends to release a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations by year-end 2024. Thomson unveiled a comprehensive strategy to integrate drones and advanced air mobility capabilities into the national airspace system within the next few years, positioning the company at the forefront of this transformative technological shift.
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As required by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, passed in May, the NPRM is the first step towards issuing a final rule for BVLOS operations within the 20-month timeframe mandated by Congress.
The goal of this rulemaking is to standardize operations within the National Airspace System (NAS) and ensure that both large and small operators can provide environmentally friendly and safe services, even where traditional air traffic management systems are not available.
“The future of drones and advanced air mobility has arrived.” For more than a decade, we’ve been discussing the integration of drones into the national airspace system. At times, however, the pace of progress has been disconcertingly slow and frustratingly sluggish. With excitement, I’m pleased to announce that the comprehensive integration of drones is now well within reach.
Accordingly, the FAA cited the findings of the ARC, whose report was released in March 2022. According to the ARC’s findings, the FAA deliberately crafted the NPRM to accommodate growth, as the industry remains committed to innovation.
The FAA is actively working to leverage the current regulatory framework’s flexibility to integrate both drone and AAM capabilities within the National Airspace System (NAS), fostering a seamless coexistence of these technologies.
As we execute our tried-and-tested approach prioritizing safety, driven by robust data and guided by meticulous processes, we’re poised to certify new aircraft and operational variants, ensuring our position as the world’s most secure aerospace entity. “We are thoroughly assessing infrastructure, cybersecurity, and information requirements, as well as the implications of noise and other environmental factors, to support seamless drone and AAM operations.”
She notes that UAVs are already being utilized on a commercial basis, such as in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex area where “drones deliver small grocery and pharmacy items within half an hour.” She highlights the FAA’s collaboration with the drone industry to develop and test “validation requirements for UAS traffic management in a real-world setting.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is aligning its rulemaking process for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations with the 2209 Rule, which specifically addresses drone operations near critical infrastructure such as energy production and distribution facilities, oil refineries and chemical plants, and amusement parks.
To achieve its goal of seamlessly integrating Aeronautical Advisory and Meteorological (AAM) operations into the national airspace within the next five years, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is reaffirming its commitment to collaborating closely with industry stakeholders. “Thomson emphasized the importance of collectively ensuring that emerging electric, vertical takeoff and landing aircraft maintain the exceptionally high level of safety currently enjoyed in civil aviation, with all stakeholders working together to achieve this goal.”
By late October or early November, the company anticipates concluding its AAM rulemaking process.
Additionally, Thomson highlighted the FAA’s collaboration with more than a dozen federal agencies to develop a comprehensive nationwide approach for advanced air mobility. “For those involved in earlier drone integration efforts, I’m sure you’ll appreciate that this time around, we’re committed to being much more cohesive and streamlined across all federal agencies,” she said.
In the past year, the company has made significant progress in achieving its goals for integrating Automatic Accounting and Management (AAM) systems, with multiple initiatives undertaken to drive this objective forward. According to Thomson, the City Air Mobility initiative has released model 2.0 of its idea of operations, a comprehensive and updated roadmap outlining operational frameworks and anticipated levels of maturity.
“In conclusion, last summer, in conjunction with this meeting’s timing, we introduced a comprehensive policy for training and certifying AAM pilots, also known as the powered-lift special federal aviation regulation.”
That rule is expected to play a pivotal role in introducing AAM by providing clarity to pilots and the industry regarding the FAA’s requirements and expectations for operating AAM aircraft, “so they can take these into account as they work to certify their planes.” The agency expects to issue a type certificate for the first AAM plane prior to the end of 2025.
“To facilitate seamless progress, we developed a comprehensive implementation plan outlining actionable steps for the FAA and stakeholders to effectively integrate superior air mobility solutions in the near term.” We assembled a multidisciplinary team from across the FAA, dubbed Innovate 2028, tasked with creating an operational advanced air mobility (AAM) infrastructure at select locations within the National Airspace System (NAS) by 2028.
The Federal Aviation Administration is exploring various avenues to integrate Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) operations within the National Airspace System (NAS), investigating AAM concepts and contemplating potential regulatory updates for both scheduled and on-demand flights that may involve a remote pilot or operate autonomously under specific circumstances, she noted.
As the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris approach, Thomson highlighted the potential advantages that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aims to achieve through the integration of drone and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) technologies in the near future.
“In four more years, we will host another Olympics in Los Angeles.” “I envision a future where drone technology is not just a promising concept, but a ubiquitous innovation that revolutionizes the way we navigate events like video games, providing efficient, safe transportation for athletes, officials, and spectators alike by seamlessly moving them between venues.”
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