FAA Perspectives on UAS Integration: Key Takeaways from AUVSI New England UAS and AAM Summit

Today’s AUVSI New England UAS and AAM Summit in Cambridge, MA, was themed “If We Build It, Will They Come?”, and brought together stakeholders from the unmanned aircraft and advanced air mobility sectors. During an address titled “FAA Perspectives on UAS Integration,” Angela McCullough, Deputy Executive Director of the FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Office, highlighted the FAA’s current achievements and future aspirations in integrating drones into the National Airspace System (NAS).

Building the Framework for Drone Operations

McCullough emphasized the importance of collaboration across sectors. “We cannot do this critical work in a vacuum; we have to work together. Collectively, we’re at the forefront of advancing drone technologies,” she remarked, underscoring the FAA’s dedication to developing a safe and scalable drone ecosystem. While no new timeline was provided for the Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), she underscored the progress in granting waivers and the success of key sites like Dallas Fort Worth, where commercial drone delivery operations below 400 feet are informing future standards.

Real-world applications, such as MassDOT’s waiver for BVLOS in shielded operations for railway vegetation management, demonstrate the growing capability and expanding service area for BVLOS flights. Florida Power and Light’s use of drones in hurricane response further illustrates the potential of drones in emergency services, enabled by the FAA’s push for partnerships across the drone community.

UTM as the Next Step for BVLOS Operations

A significant part of the FAA’s vision for integration lies in establishing a robust UTM (Unmanned Traffic Management) system. McCullough clarified that UTM systems are built to manage low-altitude drone traffic and work in tandem with, but separate from, Air Traffic Management (ATM). She stated that “safe, scalable BVLOS operations are a top priority for the FAA” and are foundational to the UTM framework. The NTAP (National Test and Evaluation Program) is supporting data collection for policy that will make future UTM operations safe, scalable, and efficient.

A Collaborative Path Forward

Describing the BEYOND program’s Phase 2, McCullough explained that this phase will continue building on data-driven policy as operations increase in scale, altitude, and complexity. “Our North Star is safety,” she stated, noting that each development under BEYOND strengthens the framework for complex drone operations. The FAA’s partnerships with NASA and other industry players are also setting standards that encourage equity across the ecosystem, a model McCullough said should be repeatable nationwide.