Congressional Testimony: Regulation, Education Needed for Drone Industry to Scale

AUVSI Testimony: Michael Robbins Speaks Before House Subcommittee on Aviation

Michael Robbins, President & CEO of the Association of Uncrewed Systems and Vehicles International (AUVSI), recently testified before the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee’s Subcommittee on Aviation. Representing the world’s largest trade association for uncrewed systems, robotics, and autonomy, Robbins highlighted the critical role of regulatory frameworks and education in advancing the drone and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) industries.

Robbins expressed gratitude to the Subcommittee and the full Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for their bipartisan leadership, particularly for the recent passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act. He emphasized that this legislation sets a benchmark for effective congressional action in supporting aviation safety and innovation.

“We are at a pivotal moment in aviation history, with drones and AAM aircraft unlocking significant benefits in both safety and technology leadership,” Robbins stated. He highlighted the economic and workforce opportunities presented by these technologies, noting that drones are becoming essential for various critical operations, including public safety, package delivery, precision agriculture, and infrastructure inspections. Additionally, AAM is poised to revolutionize propulsion systems, battery technology, and flight controls, creating new segments in aviation and enhancing workforce productivity and safety.

The Need for Drone and AAM Regulatory Frameworks

Robbins underscored the importance of developing regulatory frameworks to fully realize these industries’ potential. He pointed to the forthcoming Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) rulemaking for drones and the Powered-Lift Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft as crucial steps. “Without these regulatory frameworks in place, innovation will be stifled, operations will remain limited, and the drone and AAM industries will not be able to scale in the near term in the United States,” Robbins warned.

The testimony also highlighted the need for modernizing and expanding the industry and government workforce. Robbins called for real dollar increases in FAA funding to hire new subject matter experts and emphasized the importance of fully funding the workforce development and grant programs included in the FAA Reauthorization Act. Additionally, he advocated for integrating drone and AAM-specific training into educational curriculums from elementary school through higher education institutions.

“AUVSI is proud to partner with numerous Collegiate Training Initiative schools as part of our advanced drone training program, Trusted Operator, to provide a higher level of drone knowledge, flight proficiency, and safety and risk management practices that are valued by employers and customers of commercial drone operators,” Robbins noted.

In conclusion, Robbins thanked the Subcommittee’s leadership, particularly Chairman Garret Graves, for their contributions to aviation safety and advanced aviation. “Your leadership has meaningfully enhanced aviation safety and ensured that advanced aviation is getting the attention required from Congress and the regulator,” Robbins concluded, expressing confidence in continued progress for the industry.

Robbins’ testimony underscores the significant opportunities and challenges facing the drone and AAM industries. As these technologies continue to evolve, the establishment of robust regulatory frameworks and workforce development programs will be essential.

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