Wyden Launches Bipartisan Bill to Boost Commercial Unmanned Aircraft Research

Press Release

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today joined Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, in introducing a bill that would encourage continued research and development of the potential uses of commercial unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in Oregon and across the country.

The bill, the Safe Skies for Unmanned Aircraft Act of 2015, would lift restrictions on unmanned aerial systems research that make it harder for universities and other research institutions to partner with private companies and find new ways to use commercial UAS. It would also expand aeronautical research as defined by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which is responsible for ensuring the safety of U.S. airspace, to include natural resources and meteorological research.

The bill would also direct the FAA to implement procedures to allow for safe, beyond-line-of-sight flights to conduct this research.

"When it comes to commercial unmanned aircraft, the sky is the limit," Wyden said. "This exciting technology can be applied in ways that haven't even been dreamed up yet, and with the valuable research underway at institutions like Oregon State University, great things are on the horizon for UAS to safely and efficiently contribute to Oregon's economy."

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