Safety remains the foundation of NATA’s advocacy and industry leadership. In formal comments to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the proposed rulemaking for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operations, NATA reaffirmed its commitment to fostering an integration of unmanned and manned aircraft operations that enhances—rather than compromises—safety within the National Airspace System (NAS).
Representing its broad array of members, NATA voiced support for the FAA’s goal to safely diversify and streamline UAS operations while emphasizing the need for continued collaboration, awareness, and clarity within the proposed rule. The Association also highlighted concerns related to right-of-way rules, detect-and-avoid requirements, and the importance of a deliberate, data-driven approach to integration.
NATA emphasized that safety across all operations in the airspace is a collective responsibility: “UAS integration presents an opportunity to build on the U.S. aviation systems’ strong safety record while unlocking new capabilities. Success will come through collaboration, sound data, and decisions that prioritize safety above all other considerations.”