Duffy proposes new line of sight regulations for commercial drones
Share this @internewscast.com


() The United States could soon ease its rules for flying commercial drones beyond an operator’s direct line of sight, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed Tuesday at a press briefing.

The 731-page proposed regulation would eliminate the current case-by-case, waiver-based process needed to fly a drone Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS).

The shift could “unleash American drone dominance” and have wide-reaching affects on the manufacturing, farming, energy production, filmmaking, delivery and medical industries, Duffy said. Remotely piloted drones could travel over longer distances to deliver packages, inspect infrastructure and assist in multi-acre farming tasks.

“Industry needs this rule to make sure they can use this technology that’s going to allow them to do business more efficiently and effectively,” he said.

Aircraft would fly at or below 400 feet above ground level, and some could weigh up to 1,320 lbs.

Detection technology would prevent drones from interfering with “operations and traffic patterns at airports, heliports, seaplane bases, space launch” and more sites, the proposal’s fact cheek says.

Both recreational pilots and commercial operators are currently required to keep their drones within either the pilot’s or a visual observer’s unaided line of sight, per FAA guidance.

The proposed rule would scrap that. Industry leaders have 60 days for comment before it is put into effect.

“Today we have drones in operation in our skies. It’s not as regulated perhaps as it should be. It’s done on an ad hoc basis, which makes it very, very difficult to manage, and  it makes for an uneven playing field as well which is frankly a headwind,” FAA Administrator Brian Bedford said. 

The FAA and DOT will partner with TSA to ensure that operations supervisors and flight coordinators are properly vetted, Duffy said.

In March, Duffy said the Federal Aviation Administration planned to propose rules in a “relatively short” timeframe that would expand the use of drones for services including deliveries, Reuters reported.

“We’re in the stages of developing a rule to make sure we can give more authority and clarity to those who are developing these drones,” Duffy told reporters while on a tour of the Amazon Prime Air drone headquarters.

Multiple federal and state agencies have increased their use of drones in recent months, with police departments deploying drones to assist with calls and U.S. Customs and Border Protection placing surveillance blimps alongside the Texas-Mexico border.

“Drones are happening. Bad actors can use drones in a bad way … the government is focused on getting technology right and security right,” Bedford said.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Reforesting Resilience: How 30,000 Trees in 4 Years Can Shield Louisiana’s Coast from Intensifying Storms

MERAUX, La. – Shrouded in morning mist, a grove of young trees…

Genetic Breakthrough Promises Faster Comeback for Iconic American Chestnut Tree

WASHINGTON – Once, the eastern United States was blanketed with towering American…

Seminole County Schools Launch Probe into Controversial Student-Security Guard Video

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Seminole County Public Schools is currently examining an…

Traffic Alert: Scheduled Rolling Roadblocks on I-81 in Abingdon This Thursday

In a recent announcement, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) revealed plans…

Trooper Steve Clarifies: Is Solo Driving Possible at 18 with Just a Learner’s Permit?

ORLANDO, Fla. – As teenagers reach adulthood, many parents find themselves wondering…

Breaking News: South Fork’s Boil Water Advisory Officially Lifted by Smyth Co.

SMYTH COUNTY, Va. (WJHL) — The Boil Water Notice for residents in…

Canadian and UK Financial Institutions Halt New Projects with DP World Following CEO’s Email Correspondence with Epstein

Financial institutions in Canada and the United Kingdom have put a hold…

Russell County Man Admits to Sexual Exploitation of Middle School Students

A Russell County man has admitted to exploiting social media to solicit…

Hawkins County 911 Confronts Budgetary Challenges

In Hawkins County, Tennessee, the local Emergency Communications team is reaching out…

Trump Rallies Troops at Fort Bragg: Celebrating the Triumph Over Venezuela’s Maduro

President Donald Trump is setting his sights on North Carolina this Friday…

Trump’s March Summit: Latin American Leaders Converge in Florida Before His Strategic China Visit

WASHINGTON – In a strategic move, President Donald Trump has extended invitations…

JCPD Welcomes New K-9 Officer to SVU for Electronic Device Detection

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — The Johnson City Police Department has added a…