The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has established special security instructions which will restrict drone operations in airspace up to 2,000 feet mean sea level (MSL) near US territorial and navigable waters.
These new restrictions specifically prohibit drone flights in this airspace within a stand-off distance of 3,000 feet laterally and 1,000 feet above any US Navy vessel.
Operators who violate the flight restrictions may be subject to enforcement action, including potential civil penalties and criminal charges. Violators may also face security enforcement action that results in the interference, disruption or destruction of unmanned aircraft considered to pose a safety or security threat to protected US Navy assets.
Elsewhere, the US Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao has announced new appointments to the FAA's Drone Advisory Committee (DAC).
The DAC is a broad-based, long-term federal advisory committee that provides the FAA advice on key unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) integration issues by helping to identify challenges and prioritise improvements. The committee helps to create broad support for an overall integration strategy and vision.
The DAC is chartered to have up to 35 members and this announcement will fill 12 vacancies.
Secretary Chao named Michael Chasen, chief executive officer for PrecisionHawk USA as chair of the DAC, Thomas Karol, general counsel, National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies; and Joseph DePete, president at Air Line Pilots Association, among others.
“Innovation is one of Secretary Chao’s top priorities for the Department of Transportation. Michael and the DAC will help guide the FAA to build flexible, responsive regulatory processes that can keep up with the industry’s creativity while ensuring the highest level of safety,” said FAA acting administrator Daniel K. Elwell.