Presidential Memorandum Launches New Pilot Program To Test Drone Operations

Philip Baker-Shenk is a partner and Jennifer M Nowak is an associate in Holland & Knight's Washington D.C. office

HIGHLIGHTS:

• The White House has issued a Presidential Memorandum directing the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to launch a three-year Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Pilot Program.
• The Memorandum directs DOT and FAA to act within existing authorities to authorize state, local and tribal government applicants to establish drone test sites within their respective jurisdictions so that test site operations can be up and running within 12 months.
• A major goal of the program is to establish a regulatory framework that encourages innovation and is created with direct input from state, local and tribal governments.