FAA Reauthorization Passes House – DRONELIFE

Photo: @MRobbinsAUVSI (Twitter)

The U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed the FAA Reauthorization Package, Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act (H.R. 3935), by a vote of 63 – 0 today.  The Act calls for the FAA to commit to timelines for a BVLOS rulemaking, UTM, and drone integration.

The legislation would provide funding for the FAA for the next five years: the current authorization expires in September of 2023.  The package addresses all aspects of the FAA’s purview, and Title VI – Aerospace Innovation, Sections 601 – 687, addresses  Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Advanced Air Mobility.

Timeline for BVLOS Rulemaking

One notable aspect of the Act concerns a rulemaking on drone operations Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS.). While the BVLOS Aviation Rulemaking Committee released their recommendations in March of 2022, no Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) has followed.  The Act would…