By a vote of 387 to 26, the US House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 today. This comes after the law was passed by the US Senate 88–4 last week.
It is currently on the President's desk awaiting his signature. Interestingly, the act has a lot to do with the drone sector, even if its primary concentration is on planes that transport people.
The Federal Aviation Administration has been authorized to spend about $105 billion between fiscal years 2024 and 2028 by the government, as stated in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. The investment will go toward improving customer service as well as aviation safety.
Legislators then go on to list important requirements that the FAA needs to meet. These are typically related to employing aviation personnel, technology, air passenger rights, and aviation safety. For instance, it places a strong emphasis on recruiting and training more air traffic controllers. It also compels airlines to provide passenger refunds in a more equitable and transparent manner.
Furthermore, drones are mentioned in quite a bit of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 bill language. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 actually uses the terms "drone" thirteen times and "UAS" fifty-two times.
A large portion of the bill's wording simplifies the process of approving drone flights. Drone pilots now have their hands full with paperwork because numerous drone flight types demand onerous waivers and applications. This action significantly reduces it. For instance, a clause will expedite permission processes to permit increased drone operations for offshore gas and oil facilities situated in international seas. It facilitates the acceptance of drone delivery of necessary medications. Furthermore, it instructs the FAA to finish developing its Beyond the Visual Line of Site regulations, which will enable drone delivery and other drone-related activities across the United States.
The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 is available for reading in its entirety here. However, out of those numerous citations, the following standouts are particularly pertinent to the drone industry.
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