FAA Decrees Small Business Interests Are Represented!

It has been determined by the FAA (letter attached) that “the RCAPA’s interests are adequately represented on the UAS ARC at this time.” Who’s looking out for the little guy, Rockwell Collins or GE? I believe their correspondence to be emblematic of a Regulatory body that has lost touch with their Mission statement.

Posted here for the convenience of, and to serve as a reminder of the FAA’s charge:

Mission

Our Mission

Our continuing mission is to provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world.

Our Vision

We strive to reach the next level of safety, efficiency, environmental responsibility and global leadership. We are accountable to the American public and our stakeholders.

Our Values

Safety is our passion. We work so all air and space travelers arrive safely at their destinations.

Excellence is our promise. We seek results that embody professionalism, transparency and accountability.

Integrity is our touchstone. We perform our duties honestly, with moral soundness, and with the highest level of ethics.

People are our strength. Our success depends on the respect, diversity, collaboration, and commitment of our workforce.

Innovation is our signature. We foster creativity and vision to provide solutions beyond today’s boundaries.

This statement is so far off the mark that the only apparent explanation can be that the it must have been put together by a contractor, or consulting firm that had relatively little or no experience with the FAA. The thing I find totally unbelievable is that no one took the time to vet it before posting on the website!

I for one could easily write up a 2000 to 3000 word dissertation of candid commentary from years of personal experience detailing the glaring shortcomings of said statement and the detachment from the reality of the current regulatory situation. However, we’ll have to save that for another time, as I am busy with other projects. I also had the idea of a review and commentary on the various job descriptions of those administering this rulemaking mockery. There is not doubt that they will prove to be as bemusing as the mission statement and something we can all look forward to reading.

The ARC inclusion effort for small business and academia is by no means over. The only person I haven’t written to directly is the President of the United States. I figure he is busy with other issues, but I’d like to be able to check off the last box.

To be continued…