With new drone regulations taking effect at the end of August that are predicted to trigger a proliferation in the number of drones being used by commercial and government entities, there are several provisions that manned aircraft pilots—especially general aviation pilots—need to be aware of so they can ensure their own safety and, of course, the safety of their passengers and the people and property below them. With these new regulations—more than a decade in the making—it’s clear that the age of drones is upon us. To underscore the significance of these new regulations, the White House recently held a one-day event to “celebrate the potential of this technology.” Called the Workshop on Drones and the Future of Aviation, the event highlighted the potential of drones in so many disparate fields—from infrastructure inspection to disaster relief to precision agriculture and so much more. And, indeed, we can expect Amazon to continue to push for package delivery in the airspace where GA often flies.
So for those among us who have been hoping this technology would just go away, it’s time to accept that the economic promise of this new aviation technology—some experts predict an $82 billion industry in the U.S. and the creation of at least 100,000 jobs over the next 10 years—is going to make drones a huge player in aviation, and especially in the airspace where one day in the not-too-distant future drones and manned aircraft will be flying side-by-side. But for now, GA pilots need to be aware of what the new regulations allow so that they can take the appropriate actions to stay safe.
With more than 40 years experience in the aviation industry, The Honorable John Goglia, was the first and only Airframe and Powerplant mechanic to receive a presidential appointment to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). He served from August 1995 to June 2004.
As a Board Member, Mr. Goglia distinguished himself in numerous areas of transportation safety. In particular, he was instrumental in raising awareness of airport safety issues, including the importance of airport crash fire and rescue operations and the dangers of wildlife at airports. He played a key role in focusing international attention on the increasing significance of aircraft maintenance in aviation accidents. He pressed, successfully, for greater integration of civilian and military safety information, becoming a featured speaker at national aviation symposiums attended by military leaders and major defense contractors. He is a leading proponent of airplane child safety seats.
Prior to becoming a Board Member, Mr. Goglia held numerous positions in the airline industry. He started as a mechanic for United Airlines and eventually joined Allegheny, which became USAir. Additionally, he was involved for more than 20 years as a union flight safety representative on accident investigation teams. There, he developed a safety program for his union, the International Association of Machinists, and was its representative for NTSB investigations. For twelve years, he operated his own aircraft service company.
Numerous prestigious groups have recognized Mr. Goglia’s contributions to aviation safety. Aviation Week & Space Technology awarded him a coveted 2004 Laurel for his outstanding service as an NTSB Board member. The Society of Automotive Engineers presented him with the Aerospace Chair Award for outstanding leadership in 2003 and the Marvin Whitlock Award for outstanding management accomplishment in 2002.
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