What do YOU think? FAA seeks public input on BVLOS drone ops

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is seeking public comment on requests by four companies to conduct beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations at or below 400 feet. These companies are Zipline, UPS Flight Forward, Phoenix Air Unmanned, and uAvionix.

As the FAA reviews the recommendations of the BVLOS Operations Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC), the agency is mulling how it can allow for expanded drone operations in certain environments where safety is not adversely affected. Essentially, the FAA is looking for additional technical input on key concepts and potential approaches for use in future exemptions and waivers given to drone companies.

Drone delivery giant Zipline, for instance, wants a revision to its Exemption No. 19111B, so it can use “Detect and Avoid” systems to deconflict with other aircraft during BVLOS operations, in lieu of using visual observers.

Related: Zipline faces patent lawsuit over drone detection…