Senators demand FAA accelerate drone test permits

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) demanded that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approve Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) — also known as a drone — test permits to ensure agency regulations of these aircrafts aren’t delayed.

“I am concerned that proposed regulations on small, commercial unmanned aircraft will be costly, needlessly restrictive and hinder research and development for the growing UAS industry,” Wyden said. “The FAA needs to act quickly to alleviate these concerns and issue guidelines for developers and operators of unmanned aircraft that will give certainty to the UAS industry and ensure the safety and privacy of Americans.”

{mosads}Wyden led a group of five senators in sending a letter Tuesday to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta. He, along with Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) said the FAA should “streamline” its process for allowing UAS operators to test their aircrafts.

The FAA has created six test sites to study the safety of drones and has until September 2015 to issue a strategy to integrate the aircrafts into U.S. airspace.

“We remain concerned about the impacts that continued delays in the process are having on the American UAS industry and the national economy, and the safety risk posed by expanding unlicensed operations,” the senators wrote. “This industry cannot continue to grow without further direction and guidance from the FAA on its planned regulations.”