Trump administration launches program to test expanded drone use
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Donald Trump launched a program on Wednesday to expand testing of drones to include flights over people, nighttime operations and flights out of sight of the operator, the White House said.
The pilot program aims to speed up the integration of unmanned aerial vehicles into the national airspace system and test drone detection and tracking while waiving some limits on their use.
Under a memorandum signed by Trump on Wednesday, states and local governments would be able to seek Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval for testing and expanded use. The White House stopped short of proposing new regulations that would allow broader nationwide use of drones or any timetable for new authority.
White House adviser Michael Kratsios told reporters the "program will open the skies for delivery of life-saving medicines and commercial packages, inspections of critical infrastructure, support for emergency management operations."
Kratsios said the program would allow companies and governments to operate drones in ways that are currently restricted by the FAA "including beyondvisual-line-of-sight flights, nighttime operations, and flights over people."
Alphabet, Inc. and Amazon.com, Inc. are among a growing number of companies hoping to make package delivery by drones a reality.
The memo said the Transportation Department could allow drone flights at up to 400 feet with the goal of approving at least five pilot projects. The program would expire in three years.
In 2016, the Obama administration opened the skies to low-level small drones for education, research and routine commercial use, but left in place significant restrictions.
The FAA estimates by 2021 the fleet of small hobbyist drones will more than triple and commercial drones will grow tenfold to about 442,000.
In June, Trump told drone executives the administration wants "to create new companies and lots of jobs... We're going to give you the competitive advantage that you need."