As the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of uncrewed systems, autonomy, and robotics, AUVSI focuses on educating lawmakers and promoting smart policy that supports the growth of the uncrewed systems industry. Over the course of the past few legislative sessions, there has been a growing trend in the state legislative bodies around measures that seek to restrict and tax drone operations, dismantle federal authority of the airspace, and create a dangerous and impossible to navigate patchwork of local and state regulations. These measures often focus on “avigation easements” – essentially the creation of toll lanes in the sky for drones.

AUVSI’s Maritime Advocacy Committee (MAC) sets the federal legislative and regulatory priorities for the association based on input and feedback from its membership. The committee develops advocacy goals and policy positions to enable all AUVSI members to speak with a unified voice on behalf of the UMS industry.    Last month, the Committee held leadership elections. Larry Ryder, Vice President of Business Development and External Affairs, Austal USA will serve as the new MAC Chair. Jenny Roberts, Vice President - Navy Fleet Requirements & Acquisition Accounts, SAIC will serve as Vice Chair for the next two years. 

Last week, AUVSI provided comments during a public listening session hosted by the FAA to discuss the report issued by the UAS Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC).   AUVSI concurred with the report’s recommendations because it prioritizes safety and represents compromise among stakeholders, in addition to being the result of a transparent process.   This week, AUVSI provided additional written comments on the BVLOS ARC final report and areas we believe the FAA should focus on moving forward, including issues of: Right of way & equipage Certification, airworthiness, and risk-based standardized approvals