Regulate Gently Now So We Don't Over Regulate Later...

Written by Andre Louis-Ferdinand

Any manned aviator will tell you that the FAA regulations are written in blood. In fact, this is a common phrase among aviators and aviation law classrooms. What this phase means is that regulations normally get enacted after an accident in which people have died. For example, helicopter EMS (Emergency Medical Services) accidents and deaths have been on the rise due to increased helicopter EMS activity/unsafe practices. The first company to the scene of an accident, essentially gets the "fare;" none of them want to say they can't make the flight because of weather. Therefore, they are flying faster, lower, in inadequate aircraft, and in worse weather to complete the mission. Because of this, "On February 20, the FAA issued a sweeping final rule that requires helicopter operators, including air ambulances, to have stricter flight rules and procedures, improved communications and training, and additional on-board safety equipment."

Now, I know about half are you are going to hate me for saying this, but I am in favor of drone regulation for one primary reason: public panic. The American public will tolerate certain things, such as mass shootings without increased regulation, but they will not tolerate commercial aircraft accidents. After a very public mass shooting, gun sales go up sharply, but after a very public commercial accident, ticket sales go down sharply. For example, airline ticket sales plummeted after Sept. 11, 2001 for many years after. This is just an aviation industry fact and we'd better get used to it now.

The smooth sailing is over following the very first commercial airliner going down or any public incident related to a drone.The FAA, the DOT, and, more importantly, the public are very untrusting of the drone industry now, with no evidence to its lack of safety, besides little Timmy watching his neighbor sunbathe in her backyard. Imagine if a UAV were to accidentally bring down a Boeing 737 commercial airliner and kill 200 passengers. Don't think it can happen? Captain Sullenburger's Airbus A320 was brought down in the Hudson River when it hit geese. Canadian Geese weigh between 7 and 14 lbs, while several drones weigh far more than that and have metal components as well.

Now don't get me wrong, I don't really "want" increased drone regulations either, but I also don't "want" to brush my teeth before bed. However, I want to be able to eat food in 20 years with my own teeth. Understanding that this needs to happen to protect our industry is a similar decision. The first true drone accident is going to be a fiasco for the drone industry. It needs to be put off as long as possible so we have an established safety record or the public will push so much regulation down our throats we will not be able to operate at all...