Aircraft
Panel Explores Drone, Autonomous Aircraft Rules
Regulators differ on autonomy definitions and certification approaches
a drone panel held March 10 at Verticon Atlanta
Left to right: Moderator Amber Harrison, VAI; Brandon Roberts, FAA executive director for rulemaking; David Oord, director of policy, regulatory affairs, and standards at Wisk; Darryl Abelscroft, technical strategy portfolio manager for future safety and innovation at the UK Civil Aviation Authority © Amy Wilder

Regulators and industry representatives discussed the evolving distinctions between drones, remotely piloted aircraft, and autonomous systems during a panel discussion at the Verticon show in Atlanta, revealing some confusion and a mix of philosophies in the approach to emerging aerospace technologies. 

The FAA received approximately 4,000 comments on its proposed Part 108 beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) rule, with many commenters opposing requirements that would affect low-altitude crewed aircraft operations, according to Brandon Roberts, FAA executive director for rulemaking, speaking during the March 10 panel discussion.

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