The House of Representatives’ Aviation Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-N.J.), will hold a hearing on the implementation of unmanned aircraft systems in U.S. airspace on Wednesday.
Unmanned aircraft systems, also known as drones, are aircraft that can be controlled remotely or be self-piloted.
The hearing will address the status of the industry, including legislation, technological ability and practicality.
Although the House Committee on Transport and Infrastructure has said that entrepreneurs and governmental entities in global markets have made great strides in the development of unmanned aircraft technology, a large portion of the hearing will look at the progress of safe implementation of unmanned aircraft by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Six witnesses will testify including: Peggy Gilligan, associate ambassador for aviation safety, FAA; Matthew Hampton, assistant inspector general for aviation audits, Department of Transportation; Gerald Dillingham, director of civil aviation issues, Government Accountability Office; Lee Moak, president of the Air Line Pilots Association; Jesse Kallman, head of business development and regulatory affairs, Airware; and Nicholas Roy, associate professor of aeronautics and astronautics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The hearing will begin at 10 a.m. in Room 2167 of the Rayburn Office Building.