HAI and Industry Urge Continued NAS-UAS Integration

HAI President Matt Zuccaro and 19 other aviation industry leaders have sent a letter to Acting FAA Administrator Michael Huerta on behalf of their associations, urging the FAA to continue to press forward with the integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS).

“… As a goal, the FAA should ensure that the introduction of UAS into the NAS does not limit access to airspace or require modifications to the existing fleet of aircraft flying in the NAS beyond what is already currently anticipated to accommodate NextGen,” the associations said. “… FAA must aggressively protect its preeminent role as manager of the national airspace system.”

While acknowledging the role UAS will play in the future of aviation, the associations also urged the FAA to avoid a singular focus on this one emerging sector.

“It is important that the FAA ensure that the focus on UAS integration does not hinder agency progress on areas like certification of civil aircraft, repair stations, or operators, where delays are already too commonplace or program improvements are lagging.”