'Microdrone' Rule May Delay FAA Drone Regs Takeoff

A separate set of proposed operating standards for "microdrones" flying over crowds is weighing down an already drawn-out process to regulate the burgeoning unmanned aircraft systems industry. This is stoking fears that the Federal Aviation Administration could take even longer to finalize its highly anticipated small-commercial-drone rule.  

Attorney Joel Roberson, who participated in the FAA's aviation rulemaking committee, said his role represented the operator community and helped ensure the resulting recommendations accommodated what the end users would want while balancing safety and liability concerns.

"When the FAA proposed this idea, they gave us a blank slate saying that what would be most helpful to them is creating a subcategory of small UAS fitting within the current pending rulemaking," Mr. Roberson said.

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