New Rules New Opportunities

What the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 means for drone operators

- Douglas Marshall

The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (PL 115-254), signed by the president on October 5, 2018, reauthorizes the Federal Aviation Administration’s funding and related programs through the end of fiscal year 2023. The FAA’s press release of that date states:

The FAA’s Reauthorization delivers a safer, more secure and efficient aviation system to the traveling public and helps fuel economic growth and competitiveness. Creating a stronger infrastructure and maintaining American leadership in innovation are priorities for President Trump and Transportation Secretary Chao. Today’s signing of the 5-year bill authorizes the reliable, predictable funding the FAA needs to invest in these critical priorities. We applaud the House and the Senate in crafting a bi-partisan bill, and with its signing, the FAA is ready to get to work on the bill’s key provisions.

The provisions of the Act that have elicited the most comment relate to the new conditions for recreational use of drones, coupled with the immediate repeal of the “Special Rule for Model Aircraft” that largely exempted recreational drone use from regulation and oversight. The FAA states that it is evaluating the impacts of this change in the law and how implementation will proceed. The following is from the FAA’s website, faa.gov/uas:

The Reauthorization Act cannot be fully implemented immediately. Please continue to follow all current policies and guidance with respect to recreational use of drones: