FAA Forming Committee to Weigh on Part 450 Licensing Rule Update

The Part 450 Rule Update

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is forming a committee to consider updates to Part 450 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs). Part 450 establishes licensing requirements for commercial drone pilots. Under current rules, drone pilots must obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate to fly drones weighing more than 0.55 pounds for commercial purposes.

Purpose of the Review

The FAA’s review of Part 450 is intended to address concerns raised by industry stakeholders and the public. Some of the specific issues that the committee will consider include:

Whether the current licensing requirements are too burdensome for commercial drone pilots.
Whether the current knowledge and skill requirements for drone pilots are adequate.
Whether the current medical certification requirements for drone pilots are appropriate.

The committee will also consider whether any changes to Part 450 are necessary to promote the safe integration of drones into the national airspace system.

The Committee

The committee will be composed of representatives from industry, government, and academia. The FAA will select the committee members based on their expertise in drone technology, aviation safety, and regulatory policy.

The committee will be tasked with developing recommendations for updates to Part 450. The FAA will then consider the committee’s recommendations and make a final decision on whether to update the regulations.

Conclusion

The FAA’s review of Part 450 is a significant development for the commercial drone industry. The committee’s recommendations could have a major impact on the licensing requirements for drone pilots. Stakeholders in the drone industry should closely follow the committee’s work and provide input to the FAA.