From a professional aviator’s point of view, with over 30 years of flying around the world, what
is conspicuously absent are the rules for employment…either VFR or IFR as mentioned above.
The FAA has recognized this fact, and on May 3rd, 2023, the FAA released the Urban Air
Mobility (UAM) Concept of Operations 2.0. These are new operational rules and infrastructure
currently under development that will facilitate the coming remotely piloted and autonomous
aircraft revolution. More recently, in July of 2023, the FAA released the Advanced Air Mobility
(AAM) Implementation Plan–Innovate28 (I28), which details integration of the UAM and
vertical takeoff and landing aircraft into the national airspace by 2028.
As NYC pioneers the way for drone operations in urban spaces, the ongoing collaboration
between regulatory frameworks and operational considerations is essential. Enhancing Sections
Three and Five of Chapter 24 is a step towards creating a comprehensive and adaptable
permitting process for the exciting future of unmanned aerial systems.
While the FAA is more heavily focused on the infrastructure and operational rules to fly drones,
vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, and fixed wing aircraft, both manned and unmanned in an
integrated space, another question that ultimately must be asked is how will the pilots doing the
flying safely integrate into a ground-based mass transit system? Stay tuned…