Chuck Tobin and Joel E. Roberson are partner's and Jennifer
M. Nowak an associate in Holland & Knight's
Washington, D.C., office.
The Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) new rule on the commercial use of unmanned aircraft
systems (UAS, or drones), announced today, will eliminate the
current requirement for commercial drone operators to hold a manned
aircraft pilot's license and will spur significant innovation
in commercial drone operation.
The long-awaited rule, which will be implemented in late August
2016, will require commercial drone operators to pass a knowledge
test.
Rule Highlights
The FAA, in a roll-out conference call this morning, announced
that the rule – which applies to commercial operations of
drones weighing less than 55 pounds – will retain some of the
limitations currently in place for UAS operators who have received
exemptions from the FAA in the past year. For example, under the
new rule:
