DC Appeals Court Rules UAS Registration Unlawful

WASHINGTON, DC – May 19, 2017– Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit vacated the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) registration rule for recreational unmanned aerial system (UAS) operators on the grounds that it violates a provision of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 that prohibits the FAA from promulgating “any rules or regulation regarding a model aircraft.”

 

The viability and growth of the UAS industry is contingent on the safe and responsible integration of UAS technology. This is only possible if all operators – commercial and recreational alike – understand their responsibilities and remain informed of the evolving standards around UAS technology. Today’s ruling generates uncertainty by eliminating a tool developed to maintain accountability and enable streamlined communication between the FAA and recreational UAS operators.

 

The FAA must have appropriate authority to maintain reasonable oversight of UAS operations, including management of a national UAS registry, which is the first step to identifying UAS operating in the national airspace. A lack of reasonable authority will inhibit safe integration and ultimately obstruct commercial UAS operations, putting the United States at risk of falling behind global competitors who are increasingly embracing the benefits of UAS. The Small UAV Coalition looks forward to working with lawmakers and regulators to ensure that the FAA has the authority necessary to facilitate the safe, widespread, and expeditious integration of UAS into the national airspace (NAS).

 

For more information on the Small UAV Coalition, please visit www.smalluavcoalition.org, contact press@smalluavcoalition.org, and follow @smallUAVs on Twitter.