Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ) recently forwarded correspondence to Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials, urging increased adoption of commercial unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen an increased need for the adoption of autonomous technology to deliver goods and services,” Schweikert wrote in the letter to DOT Secretary Elaine Chao and FAA Administrator Steve Dickson. “As we seek to safely reopen our economy, I believe UAS technology has the potential now more than ever to move critical goods to those that need it while allowing our businesses to continue operating.”
Schweikert maintains the technologies lend insight into the manner of efficiently providing services at a fraction of current costs. He said he is looking forward to working with the DOT and FAA to expedite the use of the technologies.
FAA Part 107 regulations cover a broad spectrum of commercial and government uses for drones weighing less than 55 pounds. Presently deliveries, such as medicines, nutritional assistance, or packages containing other quality of life goods, cannot be delivered at night and/or out of the visual line of sight without a waiver.
Schweikert said the FAA can issue waivers for certain requirements of Part 107 if operators demonstrate they can operate safely without endangering people, property, and aircraft.