Counter-UAS insurance policies and laws CDA Testimony

Business Drone Alliance Requires Regulatory Readability and Expanded Counter-UAS Authorities

Lisa Ellman, Govt Director of the Business Drone Alliance (CDA), testified earlier than the U.S. Home of Representatives Subcommittee on Aviation in the present day, February 6, 2025. Her remarks addressed the evolving panorama of counter-unmanned plane programs (counter-UAS) insurance policies and the necessity for balanced laws that guarantee safety whereas enabling industrial drone operations.

The Position of Drones in Society

Drones play a vital position in varied industries, bettering security, decreasing prices, and enhancing emergency response efforts. “Communities throughout the nation use this expertise day by day to struggle wildfires, reply to pure disasters, examine important infrastructure, carry support to distant locations, and even ship meals and drugs,” Ellman said. The industrial drone sector is projected to generate billions of {dollars} for the economic system, benefiting companies of all sizes.

Regardless of these advantages, considerations persist concerning unauthorized drone operations. “The industrial drone trade shares the Congress’ and the general public’s want to make sure that drones are operated safely and in compliance with relevant legal guidelines and laws,” Ellman emphasised. She acknowledged public considerations about drone exercise and known as for better transparency and training to construct belief in industrial drone use.

Establishing a Regulatory Framework for Secure Drone Operations

Ellman urged policymakers to implement a powerful regulatory basis to assist protected and safe drone integration. She highlighted the significance of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Distant Identification (Distant ID) rule, which requires drones to broadcast digital license plates. “The general public can now use a number of available smartphone apps (similar to Drone Scanner) to establish a drone’s license plate—very like we do with automobiles on the highway,” she defined.

Whereas the Distant ID rule enhances transparency, Ellman careworn the necessity for improved compliance and public training. She additionally known as for the swift implementation of pending FAA laws on past visible line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations and drone safety round important infrastructure, referred to as the “2209 rule.” “Sadly, regardless of calls by this Committee for motion, congressionally-mandated deadlines for each guidelines have been ignored on the expense of the drone trade and the American public,” she famous.

To additional strengthen safety, Ellman advisable the adoption of a “verified operator” program. This initiative would perform equally to TSA Pre-Test, serving to authorities differentiate between professional industrial drone operators and unauthorized customers. “The industrial drone trade would willingly take part in such a program to allow the federal government to keep up a database of licensed industrial UAS operations and assist related businesses and public security officers with menace discrimination,” she said.

Increasing Counter-UAS Authorities

Ellman additionally mentioned the necessity to increase counter-UAS capabilities, guaranteeing legislation enforcement and safety businesses can mitigate drone-related threats. She expressed assist for the Home’s efforts to deal with these considerations by means of H.R. 8610, the “Counter-UAS Authority Safety, Security, and Reauthorization Act,” and H.R. 4333, the “Safeguarding the Homeland from the Threats Posed by Unmanned Plane Programs Act of 2023.”

“The present model of the invoice is a major step in the best path and makes strides to enhance the transparency, safety, security, and accountability of our NAS,” Ellman mentioned. She urged lawmakers to make sure counter-UAS insurance policies stay technology-agnostic, permitting safety groups to undertake the best options for various environments.

Moreover, she advisable increasing the Counter-UAS Pilot Program to incorporate extra state, native, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) legislation enforcement businesses. “This enlargement is important to amassing sufficient knowledge from a variety of circumstances and geographies to tell future coverage,” she famous. She emphasised the significance of starting preparatory work on operator coaching, system testing, and requirements improvement to keep away from delays in implementation.

A Balanced Method

Ellman concluded by reiterating the necessity for a balanced strategy to drone regulation. “Our collective purpose is to allow compliant, cautious, industrial drone operators whereas addressing the challenges posed by careless, clueless, or prison actors,” she said. She inspired lawmakers to maneuver ahead with clear regulatory pointers and expanded counter-UAS authorities to safeguard nationwide safety whereas selling innovation.

For extra info on the Business Drone Alliance’s coverage efforts, go to www.commercialdronealliance.org.

Need DRONELIFE information delivered to your inbox each weekday?  Enroll right here.

Learn extra:

Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, knowledgeable drone companies market, and a fascinated observer of the rising drone trade and the regulatory surroundings for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles targeted on the industrial drone area and is a global speaker and acknowledged determine within the trade.  Miriam has a level from the College of Chicago and over 20 years of expertise in excessive tech gross sales and advertising for brand new applied sciences.
For drone trade consulting or writing, Electronic mail Miriam.

TWITTER:@spaldingbarker

Subscribe to DroneLife right here.