Aerospace Industries Association
AIA Advocates UAS Airspace Integration
The Unmanned Aircraft Systems Subcommittee of AIA’s Civil Aviation Council met with FAA officials recently to discuss potential approaches to expedite integration of unmanned aircraft into civil airspace. 
As urged by industry, the FAA has reorganized the UAS program office to improve connectivity to other FAA program offices that impact UAS. This will give the office greater internal and external visibility, which the UAS subcommittee believes will facilitate progress. Various options for approaching UAS challenges were explored, including categorization of unmanned aircraft systems, adapting standards and certification for existing aircraft where appropriate, and re-examining the relationship between policy and standards development.
FAA and industry recognize that resources for UAS development will continue to be constrained. While AIA will maintain its advocacy for more resources dedicated to UAS issues, it will also continue to provide policy and substantive input on issues surrounding integration of unmanned aircraft into civil airspace.
AIA plans informational briefings with Congress and the Office of Management and Budget to raise awareness of fiscal and program needs to promote beneficial UAS applications. The association is also incorporating UAS in its NextGen advocacy and working with the FAA NextGen office on more detailed planning.
AIA Source: susan.mertes[at]aia-aerospace.org