Drones: Sharing the airspace

Rune Duke, AOPA senior director of government affairs for airspace, air traffic, and aviation security, has fielded calls and s from various federal agencies regarding drones violating TFRs established to protect airshows, wildland firefighting operations, and VIP movements, to name the more prominent examples. Duke said the increasing number of unmanned operations has increased a sense of urgency about educating pilots, along with others involved in the process of designating and enforcing TFRs and other types of special-use airspace.

AOPA has been working for years to help enhance pilot education, access to relevant information, and compliance. The association co-chaired an industry-led effort in 2016 that led to recommendations on improving TFRs, including that the FAA should conduct additional pilot education and outreach; that law enforcement organizations should be provided with a single online resource and guidance on responding to violations; and that the FAA should encourage personnel involved in the creation of TFRs to proactively engage industry.

The FAA continues to review the recommendations, and several improvements have been made in recent years to address systemic shortcomings. However, AOPA continues to push the FAA as errors continue to occur that threaten pilot compliance.

“We want drone operators to have the tools and information, so they can comply with any TFR,” said Duke. “It is important for security and safety that we all check for TFRs thoroughly before flying. We will continue to push the FAA to implement the RTCA recommendations as they are very important for manned and unmanned aircraft operators.”

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