Drones Have U.S. Airspace Policy
LOS ANGELES - An expected proliferation of unmanned aircraft in U.S. skies over the next few years is generating concern among civil libertarians and citizens about safety and privacy, and the nation's drone makers are taking heed.
The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International in Arlington, Va., has published a code of conduct for manufacturers and operators of the thousands of drone aircraft that are expected to be flying in U.S. airspace by 2015.
"We want everybody to know that this technology will be handled safely and with the utmost respect to individuals' privacy," said Ben Gielow, the association's general counsel and government relations manager. "Ultimately, public confidence is needed in fielding these systems."
But critics are unimpressed. Unresolved, they say, are worries about how commercial planes and small, low-flying drones can safely share the same airspace. Also, there are privacy concerns about the drones' use of high-powered cameras as they fly above backyard pool parties and other private activities.
The San Francisco digital legal advocacy group Electronic Frontier Foundation shares those concerns. Jennifer Lynch, attorney with the foundation, said the code "does not go far enough to recognize the very real threat to privacy posed by surveillance drones flying in the U.S. and makes no actual and enforceable commitments to protect individuals' civil liberties and privacy rights."
The two-page code recommends when and by whom drones should be flown to minimize risk. It also calls on drone operators to comply with federal, state and local laws and to cooperate with authorities at all levels. In addition, the guidelines commit to respecting other users of the airspace, the privacy of individuals and the concerns of the public and to improving public awareness.
The guidelines come as the federal government is drawing up rules on how and where drones should be operated.
Drones now are not allowed to fly in the U.S. except with the Federal Aviation Administration's permission. But as technology advances and demand increases for commercial drones, the FAA has worked to ease restrictions. It aims for drones to be integrated into national airspace by September 2015.
The first drones that likely will be allowed in U.S. airspace are small aircraft that can take high-altitude photos and video. Some drones may resemble model aircraft.
Signing the code of conduct is voluntary for the association's members, which include drone makers such as Boeing Co., Northrop Grumman Corp. and AeroVironment Inc. Boeing already has backed the document.
Looking to take the next step in integrating drones into U.S. airspace, the FAA is picking six unmanned aircraft system test sites by the end of the year.
Copyright 2012 Dayton Newspapers, Inc.
