The sUAS Guide 2016 Q1 Update | Page 13

1. BACKGROUND The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) chartered the Micro Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Aviation Rulemaking Committee (the “ARC”) to provide recommendations to the FAA Administrator on a regulatory framework for the classification and operation of micro UAS. The FAA contemplated a micro UAS classification in the Operation and Certification of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Small UAS NPRM), published on February 23, 2015. After reviewing comments to the Small UAS NPRM, however, the FAA decided that further engagement with industry stakeholders was needed before conducting rulemaking to address the regulatory framework for classification and operation of micro UAS. The stated objective of the ARC was “to consider recommendations for a performance-based standard that would allow for micro UAS to be operated over people who are not directly participating in the operation of the UAS or under a covered structure,” which would ultimately contribute to an enforceable rule imposed by the FAA. 1 2. OBJECTIVES AND SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES OF THE ARC ARC Membership The ARC was composed of members representing a diverse set of aviation stakeholders, including the UAS industry and other stakeholders. The ARC members were: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 3D Robotics (3DR) Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence (ASSURE) ASTM International AT&T Consumer Technology Association (CTA) DJI Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) GoogleX GoPro, Inc. Helicopter Association International (HAI) Horizon Hobby ICON Aircraft The ARC was established specifically to address flight operations over people. The ARC was not chartered to establish a weight based category as described by the micro-UAS classification in the NPRM. 1 April 1, 2016 Page 1