US Drone Policy Expected to Be 2 Years Behind Schedule - GAO

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is likely to issue final regulations on the use of commercial drones in 2016 or 2017, nearly two years behind schedule, the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) said in a report.

The FAA unveiled its proposed regulations on the use of small drones in February 2015. The proposal is now open to a period of public comments.

“FAA’s goal is to issue the final rule 16 months after the release of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM),” GAO stated in the report issued on Tuesday. “If this goal is met, the final rule would be issued in late 2016 or early 2017.”

Unregulated commercial and private drone flights have resulted in a number of close calls near airports and other facilities, raising safety and security concerns about their unregulated use. Privacy and civil liberties groups have also expressed concerns that drones could be used to infringe on citizens’ rights.

The guidelines would limit drones to fly only in daylight and within the operator’s visual line of sight, while following new height and operational restrictions such as not flying near airports.

The GAO found FAA’s proposed regulations would be similar to those in Canada, France, Australia and the United Kingdom, all of which already have commercial drone regulations.