The inordinate amount of attention given the unmanned aircraft issue and the media’s exploitive use of the term ‘Drone’ is fueling a growing hysteria regarding potential abuses of UAS technology. This pseudo frenzy is resulting in a kneejerk reaction by politicians to address public concern. This was most recently illustrated by the ill-conceived actions of the Charlottesville, VA City Council declaring the city to be a “No Drone Zone” and associating the domestic use of unmanned aircraft to the militarized drones deployed in the war theatre and the “drone wars” in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Click the link below and read Mark Phelps report on the ‘No Drone Zone’ in the online edition of Flying Magazine…
Rich Hanson
AMA Government and Regulatory Affairs
The impact of this resolution has been highly misrepresented and sadly is generating much more fear than the situation actually merits.
The Dillon rule prohibits Virginia’s counties & municipalities from making any law that isn’t specifically authorized by the General Assembly. Since Charlottesville lacks that authority, the resolution only significant component is requesting the General Assembly to allow them to make a law limiting drones (UAVs). That was somewhat nullified by the resolutions passage a few days after the 2013 deadline for introducing legislation to the Virginia legislature. So, it’s a bill that really has no impact. It’s still legal to fly a UAV in Charlottesville.
What appears to be passing the General Assembly are HB201/SB1331, conformed bills that limit law enforcement UAV use (especially weaponized use) until 7/1/2015. DC Area Drones worked with legislators and helped assure that the bill was modified in committee to permit use in public emergencies, including Amber/Silver/Blue alerts, search and rescue and public safety use.
There is genuine need to be vigilant over regulations arising at the local and state levels, but articles like the one referenced here that instigate misleading furor really do not promote the cause. If advocacy is to work, then local organizations and personal enthusiasts must learn the legislative/regulatory process, establish ties to their elected officials and get involved.
Mary… Thank you for the update and clarification on the Commonwealth of Virginia’s stance on UAS and the legislative process. I agree completely with your views in regards to advocating effectively for the hobby.
Rich Hanson
AMA Government and Regulatory Affairs