A is for answers – what should regulators be doing for the drone industry
I placed my rant hat fully on my head yesterday, and in many ways (most) just shouting about it does nothing. So before opening a Friday adult beverage I thought I would have a crack at pulling myself towards myself.
I think it’s important to frame what is expected of our gatekeepers, these are five frames of reference that I could think of.
At the moment the CAA, EASA, FAA, CAASA and all the other aviation acronyms tell the industry what they demand of operators, is it not time for the other side to show its requirements?
- Develop Clear Guidelines and Regulations
Draft clear and concise guidelines and regulations that apply to the use of drones. These guidelines should cover things like sadly, drone registration, pilot certification, and airspace restrictions. If these evolve before changes are promulgated the folks communicating the changes should have a clear understanding of their implications to incumbent operators.
- Promote Industry Standards
Industry standards for the design and manufacture of drones. By working with drone manufacturers and other industry stakeholders, regulators can help to ensure that drones are designed and built to meet high standards for safety and reliability. Standards created from data collected, not from thumb suck safety information. These standards should hold worldwide.
- Encourage Innovation and Growth
This can be done by providing incentives for research and development. This should only be undertaken with established entities that actually do the work or a part of it that they seek to improve. Grand ideas based on things that don’t yet exist should not be entertained.
4. Ensure Compliance and Enforcement
Monitoring drone activity and enforcing regulations where necessary. By holding operators accountable for their actions, when folks are foolish act.
- Provide Education and Training
That previous comment is the stick, there really should be more carrot, in the form of training regulators can play an important role in providing education and training to drone operators. There really should be closer ties with model associations around the world but no attempt should be made to give them a golden ticket of exclusivity.
I admit this has been a bit of a rush as I want to get to that adult beverage.
I will reiterate what I said before all of us in the industry want a safe secure digital sky. That’s a given.
We also expect regulators who are paid for by the industry to be working for us efficiently.
Time for some sort of performance standard or ranking of them by drone drivers. An sUAS News drone industry insight report that will only cost $XYZ
Bottoms up
