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“I know one commercial pilot that is none too happy about this, And has been warning anyone who will listen about what is going to happen. “

Please tell your “commercial pilot” friend much is being done in the area of UAV operations in the national airspace:

GAO Reports:
- UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS - Comprehensive Planning and a Results-Oriented Training Strategy Are Needed to Support Growing Inventories
- UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS - Federal Actions Needed to Ensure Safety and Expand Their Potential Uses within the National Airspace System

Air Force Studies and Comments:
- Sense-and-Avoid Requirement for Remotely Operated Aircraft (ROA)
- United States Air Force Unmanned Aircraft Systems Flight Plan 2009-2047
- “Our ultimate goal in seeking improved access to the national airspace system is to provide our military and civilian partners with information they need to save lives and mitigate property and infrastructure damage. Among other things, unmanned aircraft allow us to better integrate aerial imagery with our search and rescue capabilities.” Maj. Gen. Garry C. Dean, 1st Air Force Commander, December 9, 2009, UAV Conference, Tyndall AFB, FL.
- Major General Marke Gibson, USAF Director of Operations; the main challenge to UAV NAS operations is widespread misunderstanding about the safety of UAVs. “We’re dealing with a lack of understanding and knowledge about (UAVs). Because they are unmanned, there is a negative connotation that they are out roaming around like ‘machine sharks,’ but, in fact, they are remotely controlled by a qualified pilot who is in control.” Dec 9, 2009, UAV Conference, Tyndall AFB, FL

OSD:
- Office of the Secretary of Defense Airspace Integration Plan for Unmanned Aviation
- Pilots use their sensors (eyes) and other tools to maintain situational awareness of other traffic. The purpose of sense and avoid is to avoid collisions, this should be the focus of UAV technological efforts rather than trying to mimic or duplicate human vision. “DOD, FY2009-2034 Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap, Appendix A, Sec a.3.2.3, See and Avoid Principle.” http://www.acq.osd.mil/uas/docs/UMSIntegratedRoadmap2009.pdf

Regulations:
- FAA AC 25.773-1, FAA P-8740-51, FAA AC 90-48C, ICAO Rules of the Air, Section 3.2.2.4, etc. . . .

Proposed FY11 Congressional language:
SEC. 935. PLAN ON ACCESS TO NATIONAL AIRSPACE FOR UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS.
(a) In General- The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Transportation shall, after consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, jointly develop a plan for providing expanded access to the national airspace for unmanned aircraft systems of the Department of Defense.
(b) Elements- The plan required by subsection (a) shall include the following:
(1) A description of how the Department of Defense and the Department of Transportation will communicate and cooperate, at the executive, management, and action levels, to provide expanded access to the national airspace for unmanned aircraft systems of the Department of Defense.
(2) Specific milestones, taking into account the operational and training needs of the Department of Defense and the safety and air traffic management needs of the Department of Transportation, for providing expanded access to the national airspace for unmanned aircraft systems and a transition plan for sites programmed to be activated as unmanned aerial system sites during fiscal years 2010 through 2015.
(3) Recommendations for policies with respect to use of the national airspace, flight standards, and operating procedures that should be implemented by the Department of Defense and the Department of Transportation to accommodate unmanned aircraft systems assigned to any State or territory of the United States.
(4) An identification of resources required by the Department of Defense and the Department of Transportation to execute the plan.
(c) Report- Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Transportation shall submit a report containing the plan required by subsection (a) to the following committees:
(1) The congressional defense committees.
(2) The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.
(3) The Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives.