AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2016 - 20

SAFETY SPOTLIGHT

Drones, safety,
and opportunity

BY GEORGE PERRY

Seeing potential, minimizing risk
DRONES, OR UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (UAS),

are becoming more and more commonplace. With
the emergence of any new technology, there are bound
to be growing pains and safety concerns. According
to FAA statistics, in 2015 there were more than 650
reports of sightings and near misses between drones
and manned aircraft.
But this sort of thing is not without precedence.
When the automobile was widely adopted in the early
1900s, there were few-if any-vehicular traffic laws.
And for quite some time, horse-and-buggy drivers did
not view these newfangled "automobiles" in a very
favorable light.
But we all know how that turned out. Over time,
laws, customs, and courtesies caught up with rapid

In 2015 the drone industry shipped more than
3 million units, and that number is expected to
triple to more than 9 million in the next four years.

GEORGE PERRY

is senior vice
president of the
AOPA Air Safety
Institute and a
quadcopter owner.

20 | AOPA PILOT April 2016

technological change. Society progressed, quality of
life improved, and economic benefits were realized.
AOPA and its Air Safety Institute support UAS
for both commercial and recreational purposes. But
AOPA also believes integration into the nation's airspace must be done safely, with adequate training for
all users, so that our air transportation system remains
the safest in the world.
There's no denying the burgeoning UAS industry
has the potential to be very good for our nation's economy. In 2015 the drone industry shipped more than 3
million units, and that number is expected to triple to
more than 9 million in the next four years. Estimates
also show this industry will create more than 100,000
jobs and $82 billion in economic impact during the
next decade. For young people, drones have become a
pathway into aviation. Their enthusiasm for UAS flight
may also lead them into the cockpit of a real aircraft,
something else AOPA sees as a good thing.
As UAS become part of our nation's economic
engine, there are challenges that must be overcome
and problems that must be solved, and it's easy to see
why the risk of midair collisions has become a concern. Some progress is being made. Industry, the FAA,

and associations including AOPA understand the
importance of protecting the flying public's safety. In
fact, more than a year ago, AOPA and the Air Safety
Institute signed on as a supporter of the ongoing Know
Before You Fly educational campaign (http://know
beforeyoufly.org). It's designed to inform drone pilots
of the do's and don'ts of operating a drone.
Additionally, the FAA has taken some steps to
police unlawful and reckless operations. Technology
will also play a part. Whether it's geofencing, senseand-avoid capabilities, or some other yet-unknown
technological advancement, none of these challenges
is insurmountable.
Drones in many ways have become the modernday equivalent of the Ford Model T. And just like the
traffic cops of the early 1900s who were used to policing pedestrians, bicycles, and buggies, government and
industry will inevitably figure out exactly what rules,
regulations, and certifications are needed for drones
and their pilots. There's no doubt that we'll get there,
but it's going to take time and careful thought on just
how to achieve the right balance between personal
freedoms, safety, and the potential economic rewards.
At AOPA, we see the benefits, too, and recently
filed a petition with the FAA for authorization to
operate a drone for commercial aerial filming and
staff training purposes. As this emerging technology
matures and becomes a larger part of our everyday
lives, AOPA will continue to work closely with the
FAA in order to make sure the rules that govern UAS
are crafted in a way that supports safe integration into
the National Airspace System and do not negatively
affect general aviation.
As the future of aviation unfolds, AOPA will closely
watch the fast-changing world of drones. In doing so
we'll be certain to safeguard general aviation, protect
pilot freedoms, keep an open mind, and think proactively. While there are still a lot of questions around
how best to safely integrate drone operations into the
NAS, one thing members can count on is that AOPA
will fight to keep the skies safe, protect access to
airspace, and support efforts that help our nation's
economy and general aviation grow.
AOPA
EMAIL george.perry@aopa.org

http://knowbeforeyoufly.org http://knowbeforeyoufly.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2016