Drones performing deliveries for retailers will not be offered to consumers any time in the near future, if proposals (PDF) from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are adopted. The initial proposals for “small unmanned aircraft systems” would in theory allow for the commercial use of the remote-controlled aircraft, but not to a point where Amazon’s drone delivery service would become a reality in the United States.
“Technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace and this milestone allows federal regulations and the use of our national airspace to evolve to safely accommodate innovation,” advised Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. FAA Administrator Michael Huerta added “We have tried to be flexible in writing these rules. We want to maintain today’s outstanding level of aviation safety without placing an undue regulatory burden on an emerging industry.”
The proposals state that the user of the craft, termed the Operator, must be aged at least 17 years old, pass an aeronautical knowledge test and retake it every two years, and pass vetting by the Transportation Security Administration. The drone must weigh under 55 pounds, have official aircraft markings, and be subjected to a preflight inspection by the operator, though it does not need to have an FAA airworthiness certificate.
According to the rules, flights with the drone must be performed at a maximum altitude of 500 feet above ground level, but below the 18,000 feet Class A commercial airspace, with Air Traffic Control permission for certain altitude bands. A maximum airspeed of 100mph is permitted, though the drone can only be flown in daylight hours, within vision range of the operator or an observer, without being flown over other people, and with clear weather conditions allowing visibility in a three-mile radius.
Smaller flying machines used by civilians may avoid being subjected to the new rules entirely. The proposals will “not apply to model aircraft,” something drones used by hobbyists will likely be covered by, though the FAA is also considering creating a “flexible framework” for drones under 4.4 pounds.
The new proposals are being made available for comment on regulations.gov for a 60-day period, with the FAA also planning to hold public meetings at test cites and the Center of Excellence.
