Blumenthal Statement on New FAA Efforts to Strengthen Drone Oversight

(Hartford, CT) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, issued the following statement on the new efforts announced today by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that will require an FAA drone registry. In August, Blumenthal urged the FAA to increase oversight of drones, following numerous reports of dangerous close calls between drones and aircrafts.

“The drone registry can help make our skies significantly safer but is only a beginning step. Strong rules and vigorous oversight and enforcement are more necessary than ever. Registering drones assures more information about who owns and directs them but protecting the public is still critically important. FAA must now take strong and swift enforcement action against reckless drone users, and finalize outstanding Congressional mandates that require safe flying practices. The increasing number of pilot reports of close calls with these devices is utterly alarming. Drone use is proliferating at a massive, unprecedented pace, requiring decisive action now to keep drones from colliding with passenger planes, helicopters and everyone who relies on safe skies.”

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