State attorneys general urge FAA to refine drone bans for emergency use
A coalition of attorneys general, headed by Jeff Jackson, has asked the FAA to clarify its proposed drone restrictions so first responders can operate at sites like prisons and stadiums without prior approval.
Attorneys general from several states, led by North Carolina Democrat Jeff Jackson, have formally requested the Federal Aviation Administration to provide additional guidance on a May rule that restricts drone flights over fixed sites such as prisons, large sports venues and critical infrastructure. In a letter addressed to FAA chief counsel Liam McKenna and rulemaking official Michelle Ferritto, the prosecutors contend that emergency responders would be hampered if they must obtain FAA clearance before deploying drones for disaster response, search and rescue, or law-enforcement operations.
They cite concerns that the rule could delay or compromise critical missions and ask for exemptions for such activities. The letter also calls for a centralized repository of all no-fly zones to help pilots avoid prohibited areas and for confirmation that existing state and local permissions to counter hostile drones would not be overridden. The proposal enjoys support from attorneys general in Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York and Vermont. The FAA’s May 6 notice in the Federal Register outlines a process for establishing Unmanned Aircraft Flight Restrictions (UAFRs) at sites like Bank of America Stadium and the McGuire Nuclear Station.
