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FAA Creates Awareness Campaign Ahead of Finalizing Drone Rules

January 22, 2015

The FAA is expected to release final rules on the use of drones in American airspace sometime in 2017. Leading up to the finalization the FAA has partnered with Know Before You Fly to inform people about the current laws governing drone use. The laws already in place are limited but the group hopes to make sure everybody knows them, according to the Know Before You Fly website.

Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or drones as they are often called, are increasingly available online and on store shelves. Prospective operators—from consumers to businesses—want to fly and fly safely, but many don’t realize that, just because you can easily acquire a UAS, doesn’t mean you can fly it anywhere, or for any purpose. "Know Before You Fly" is an educational campaign that provides prospective users with the information and guidance they need to fly safely and responsibly.

Know Before You Fly was founded by the three leading organizations with a stake in UAS safety – the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) and the Small UAV Coalition. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is partnering with the founding members to spread the word about safe and responsible flying.

This month's issue of The InfoGram, a newsletter run by the Emergency Management & Response-Information Sharing & Analysis Center, outlined the current state of drone use in the United States.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), also called "drones" or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), increase in popularity and continue to make news. Some stories, such as this close call near London’s Heathrow Airport or the drone flyovers of France’s nuclear sites, raise concerns about accidents and security. Others show their potential in accessing remote areas after disasters, news reporting, and damage assessments.

Seeing the future prospects and the fact that UAS are not going to go away, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) joined with industry and hobby groups to inform the public on proper operations of UAS. The "Know Before You Fly" campaign aims to educate recreational users, businesses, and public entities interested in operating UAS in the laws, regulations, and rules concerning their use.

The EMR-ISAC also pointed to possible benefits of drone use among first responders.

Many public safety agencies are looking into using UAS technology in their duties. Because of this, and because it is becoming more and more likely that first responders will encounter a hobbyist using a UAS at an emergency, it is a good idea to browse the "Know Before You Fly" website and review the current laws and regulations regarding the use of UAS. The FAA encourages reporting unsafe UAS practices, incidents, or accidents to their Aviation Safety Hotline.

Published under: Drones