Davis announces Illinois drone manufacturer’s appointment to FAA rulemaking committee

U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) announced on Thursday that a drone manufacturer from his home state would help guide FAA rulemaking for micro unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).

Horizon Hobby, a drone manufacturer from Champaign, Ill., has been appointed to serve on the FAA UAS Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC). In that role, company representatives will help develop recommendations for the use of certain UAS.

“Private companies like Horizon Hobby know this technology and its potential better than anyone,” Davis said. “I applaud the FAA for soliciting their expertise in this matter. U.S. policy regarding drones has not kept up with technology and has severely limited their ability to add to our economy. While I hope the FAA will eventually exempt micro drones from regulation, this committee is an important step to advance the public and commercial use of this technology.”

In a recent letter, Davis encouraged FAA officials to include Horizon Hobby in its rulemaking committee.

“Horizon employs subject matter experts related to all facets of remote controlled aircraft, including some of the best and more experienced RC aircraft pilots in the world,” Davis wrote. “Unique compared to UAS ARC members, Horizon is a designer, developer and retailer of more than 150 different micro-sized RC aircraft models. All of these factors, coupled with the fact that Horizon also has a commercial UAS subsidiary, would provide the micro UAS ARC with a unique and valuable perspective.”

Joe Ambrose, CEO of Horizon Hobby, applauded Davis’s promotion of rules that would allow for the recreational and commercial use of UAS.

“Other countries have established UAS rules,” Ambrose said. “The markets for these products are moving forward quickly outside the United States. It is important to our economy and to the competitive position of American companies that we have a set of rules that allows us to pursue these new opportunities. We believe that micro drones can be safely deployed in ways that address concerns for public safety and privacy and without extensive and costly regulation. Many organizations, including small businesses, will benefit from the very cost effective use of these new products. We look forward to working with the FAA and the other members of the committee to move forward with safe operation of consumer and commercial UAS.”