​The Alliance for Drone Innovation (ADI) is encouraging members and the drone community to share with friends and colleagues in the manned aviation community - and request their participation in - the recently published FAA Request for Information (RFI) entitled, "Low Altitude Manned Aviator Participation In UAS Remote Identification.” The FAA is seeking input from manned aviators to understand "how manned aircraft pilots can voluntarily participate in or otherwise benefit from UAS Remote Identification (Remote ID) information." The agency is also interested in learning how the manned aviation can potentially receive and use UAS remote ID information to further enhance safety, by reducing collision risks at lower altitudes.

Ahead of today's Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs markup of the American Drone Security Act (S. 2502), ADI has submitted a letter to the Committee outlining our strong opposition of this misguided legislation. The letter emphasizes ADI's stance against country-of-origin bans on foreign-made drone technology, highlighting the real-world examples of how this law would negatively impact the drone community. It also calls out the potential ramifications for U.S. access to the global supply chain, as well as the risks the bill would pose for federally-funded drone operations across the board. "ADI and our member companies share your concern about the safety and security of all Americans, but the American Drone Security Act of 2019 is not the answer. We welcome the opportunity to speak with you anytime about a solution that meets your goals yet preserves the global supply chain that is critical to the lifeblood of our companies."

On Mar. 2, the Alliance for Drone Innovation (ADI) submitted a comment letter to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on Remote Identification (Remote ID) Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). ADI Executive Director Jenny Rosenberg noted that while ADI recognizes the need for this critically important rule, the NPRM, as written, is the wrong approach for the drone community. ​"ADI strongly supports the FAA’s efforts to formulate a Remote ID standard, as this crucial regulation will be the key to ensuring the safety and soundness of the NAS, while also allowing drone technology to flourish," wrote Rosenberg. "ADI respectfully suggests the FAA consider our recommendations for the areas where we have requested different solutions than the NPRM offers." 

By Diana Cooper, President, Drone Operators Federation

During the December holidays, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released its much anticipated Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for remote identification (Remote ID) of drones.  The Drone Operators’ Federation strongly supports the need for Remote ID, however we are concerned about how the proposal would impact drone operators, and we hope to see the FAA make some needed adjustments to the proposal in the months ahead.

Today, the Alliance for Drone Innovation (ADI) (droneinnovation.org) issued a statement congratulating the selection of James Viola to become the next President and CEO of the Helicopter Association International (HAI).

Today, the Alliance for Drone Innovation (ADI) (droneinnovation.org) -  a Washington, DC-based coalition of manufacturers, operators, suppliers and software developers of personal and professional drones - issued the following statement in response to the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on Remote Identification (Remote ID) for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).

In an op-ed for Morning Consult, former Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ) emphasizes that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must retain autonomy over UAS integration into the National Airspace System. "Many public policy initiatives are best left to the states to decide — regulating the national air space is not one. The FAA and its federal partners are best suited to continue to oversee the safe integration of drones at any and all altitudes. The air space — like rivers — traverses across localities without being confined to boundaries. Varying standards for UAS operation from state to state or county to county or, conceivably, town to town would stunt most commercial or recreational uses this technology has to offer."

In an op-ed for The New York Daily News, New York City Councilman Justin Brannan discusses the need for the New York city government to modernize its statutes to allow for drones to be utilized for key public safety and commercial purposes. "​Plenty of people still have questions about drones, just like they do about any new technology. That’s reasonable, and there are good answers for them. This city can welcome drones and all the great things they can do while protecting everybody on the ground. When businesses, schools, nonprofits and city agencies can make use of increasingly versatile flying devices, it will show that New York is a city that embraces the future — and the jobs and benefits that come with it. As they say, the sky’s the limit."

​Fedscoop reports that the Pentagon's Defense Innovation Unit is working with Zipline to prototype UAS for battlefield emergency supply delivery. "DOD spokeswoman Elissa Smith told FedScoop the Pentagon is 'collaborating to experiment with drone systems in an effort to answer questions about how drone deliveries could improve medical care during conflicts, disasters, and humanitarian crises.' Zipline’s work with DOD also is to develop 'exercises' to deliver supplies within the 'golden hour,' or the time where care has a significantly higher chance of preventing death, Eric Gardiner, who works in global business development at Zipline, said during a panel on drone innovation at the U.S. Capitol in July."