FAA proposes drone-free zone rules around critical infrastructure
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 5
FAA proposes drone-free zone rules around critical infrastructure
15 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 5
The 181-page proposal, requested by Congress in 2016, starts a 60-day public comment period on Wednesday and would let operators seek permanent or part-time restrictions.
Applicants would have to show limits are needed for aviation safety, protection of people and property, national security or homeland security, while sensitive federal sites could get a separate special category.
The overdue plan comes as scrutiny grows over rogue drones and as industry pushes for clearer rules, including a separate pending framework for flights beyond operators' line of sight.
If new FAA rules create no-fly zones but owners can't act, how can critical infrastructure actually be protected from a drone attack?
Can new rules distinguish between 'guardian' drones protecting sites and the genuine aerial threats they are designed to stop?
As new laws grant police drone-downing powers, are America's skies becoming safer or just a patchwork of conflicting rules?