Drone technology, fears addressed at Vegas conference - FOX5 Vegas - KVVU
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In just a few years there will be a lot more traffic in our skies, and these planes won't have on-board pilots.
Starting in 2015, the FAA will allow unmanned aerial vehicles, better known as drones, to be used for commercial and private interests.
On Tuesday in Las Vegas, the acting administrator of the FAA addressed issues and concerns about the move.
With everything from police departments to news operations expected to buy and operate drones, the FAA estimates that by 2020 there could be as many as 30,000 of them flying in U.S. airspace.
Ranging from traditional designs to the innovative, hundreds of drones are currently on display at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center as part of the industry's largest trade show.
Most drones are much less expensive to construct than traditional aircraft and they are relatively easy to use.
"You don't need nearly the training you do to be a manned machine pilot (for drones), this takes three days to learn how to fly," said William Robinson with aircraft manufacturer Adaptive Flight.
"Monitoring of field crops, of animal husbandry, law enforcement, first responders - these are the obvious (uses), but as technology develops, more will appear," said Stephen McKeever, Oklahoma's secretary of Science and Technology.
Currently there are no set regulations for drones, prompting fears about privacy, air safety and even terrorists and criminals.
The responsibility for quelling those fears falls to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta.
"This year we established the Unmanned Systems Integration Office within the FAA Safety organization," Huerta said.
Earlier this year, Congress mandated the FAA fully integrate all drones into the national airspace by 2015.
"We must fulfill those obligations in a thoughtful, careful manner that ensures (FAA) Safety addresses privacy concerns and promotes economic growth," Huerta said.
Aircraft manufacturers and government officials are confident the challenges surrounding drones will be overcome.
"There's no hacking that's going to be happening inside of these," Robinson said.
"Before these vehicles become commonplace, all of these issues will be very thoroughly vetted and tested," McKeever added.
Many trade show attendees said they believe FAA guidelines will require licenses to operate drones.
The FAA is currently searching for six test sites that will serve as places where drone technology can be tested before being allowed to fly in U.S. airspace.
Copyright 2012 KVVU (KVVU Broadcasting Corporation). All rights reserved.
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