Wednesday, February 15, 2012

UAS operator requirements


I think an often overlooked issue of integrating UAS into the NAS is what requirements a person will have to follow in order to legally operate one. From discussions I had in school, the requirements should be very similar to that of operating a manned aircraft. I assume an operator will be required to have at least a Second Class medical certificate and commercial pilot certificate. I have heard some people argue that those requirements are overboard and will hurt businesses, but I disagree completely. 

If a person is to operate a UAS alongside other aircraft in the NAS, they should absolutely be required to follow the same rules and requirements. If there are no requirements, or even minimal ones, the likeliness of a disaster is far too great. Safety is definitely the biggest factor in integrating UAS into the NAS and operators must be as skilled and knowledge as pilots of any other aircraft. Yes getting a commercial pilot certificate is an investment, but it is a necessary one because of the immense increase in training and experience.

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