UAVs: Congress lays down the law

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been ordered to prepare a plan for integrating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the National Airspace System (NAS) by late 2015.

Under the Reauthorisation Act, the agency must submit a report to Congress by 15 February 2013 on how to introduce UAV operations into the NAS, along with a five-year roadmap.

The report must include a plan for full UAV integration no later than 30 September 2015. The project plan will be co-ordinated with the US Department of Defense, NASA and FAA's NextGen Group and will primarily focus on smaller unmanned aerial systems (UASs) operating in either designated or segregated test airspace where manned and unmanned aircraft interactions can be evaluated.

Under the Act, the FAA must have implemented all the operational and certification requirements for UAVs by 31 December 2015. However, a final rule is required by the Q3 2013 that allows small UAVs weighing less than 55 lb (25 kg) to operate in the NAS.

By May 2012 the FAA and other government agencies must have discussed what is needed for waivers to allow UAVs to operate across the NAS as soon as possible, which should be helpful for the military. By August they must be working with national and international communities to designate permanent areas in the Arctic where small UAVs can fly 24 hours a day for research and commercial purposes. By November, US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is to have to issued guidance for UAVs to meet manned aircraft qualifications and conditions.

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