OMB Approves 2 FAA UAS Final Rules

Yesterday the OMB’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) announced [see links below] that it had approved two final rules for the DOT’s Federal Aviation Administration concerning unmanned aircraft systems. Both rulemakings were sent to OIRA for review in October. The two rules were:

Remote Identification of Unmanned Aircraft Systems, and

Operations of Small Unmanned Aircraft Over People

Remote Identification Rule

According to the abstract in the Fall 2020 Unified Agenda:

“This action would require the remote identification of unmanned aircraft systems. The remote identification of unmanned aircraft systems in the airspace of the United States would address safety, national security, and law enforcement concerns regarding the further integration of these aircraft into the airspace of the United States while also enabling greater operational capabilities.”

The notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for this rule was published in December of last year.

Operations Over People Rule

According to the abstract in the Fall 2020 Unified Agenda:

“This rulemaking would address the performance-based standards and means-of-compliance for operation of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) over people not directly participating in the operation or not under a covered structure or inside a stationary vehicle that can provide reasonable protection from a falling small unmanned aircraft. This rule would provide relief from certain operational restrictions implemented in the Operation and Certification of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems final rule (RIN 2120-AJ60).”

The NPRM for this rule was published in February of 2019.