A Look Back At April Drone Law Developments: The Micro UAS Report

This past month, a FAA committee tasked with providing recommendations on a regulatory framework for the classification and operation of micro unmanned aircraft systems ("UAS" or "drones"), submitted its official report to the FAA.

The Micro UAS Aviation Rulemaking Committee ("ARC") was directed to develop "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." On April 6, the FAA accepted those recommendations. Moreover, the FAA has already started the process of developing a notice of proposed rulemaking based on the ARC's recommendations.

While trying to balance the twin goals of ensuring safety and encouraging innovation, the ARC identified four small UAS categories defined primarily by level of risk of injury posed by operations over people. For each category, the ARC recommended a risk threshold that is based on either weight or an impact energy