The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has formed an advisory committee with broad industry representation to provide advice on issues related to the safe integration of commercial unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones into the national airspace.

Formed on the basis of the stakeholder-based UAS registration taskforce and the microUAS aviation rulemaking committee, the new group is expected to be led by Intel CEO Brian Krzanich.

However, FAA noted that unlike the taskforce and the microUAS committee, the drone advisory committee is planned to be a long-standing group.

"Input from stakeholders is critical to our ability to achieve that perfect balance between integration and safety."

The new committee will help recognise and prioritise integration challenges and improvements, as well as generate broad support for an overall integration strategy.

FAA administrator Michael Huerta said: "Input from stakeholders is critical to our ability to achieve that perfect balance between integration and safety.

"We know that our policies and overall regulation of this segment of aviation will be more successful if we have the backing of a strong, diverse coalition."

The aviation regulator is also planning to help students to easily fly unmanned aircraft as part of their coursework.

Under this initiative, FAA intends to allow students to operate UAS for educational and research purposes so that the schools and students will no longer need a section 333 exemption or any other authorisation to fly, provided they follow the rules for model aircraft.

Faculties will also be able to use drones to help students with their studies.

The FAA and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University recently organised a UAS symposium in order to extend the dialogue with aviation industry and the public on how to safely integrate unmanned aircraft into national airspace.

Source:

http://www.faa.gov/news/updates/?newsId=85528

http://www.faa.gov/news/updates/?newsId=85488