The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) has announced the formation of a Remote Pilots Council which aims to promote education and dialog between commercial unmanned aircraft systems (UAS or drones), operators, industry stakeholders and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The council will discuss opportunities and challenges related to the safe and responsible use of drones in our national airspace through in-person meetings, webinars and surveys. AUVSI’s president and CEO, Brian Wynne, said, “Now that we have rules governing the civil and commercial operations of UAS, more businesses and innovators are flying and unlocking the tremendous economic benefits of the technology.” The first Remote Pilots Council meeting was held in San Francisco at the Silicon Valley AUVSI Chapter headquarters on January 12. The discussion at that first meeting was tailored around the integration of UAS into the national airspace. The Remote Pilots Council seeks to help scale commercial drone operations and help the industry reach the full value of the powerful technology of drones. The Remote Pilots Council will meet again on January 26 in Denver, D.C. on February 8 and Chicago on February 28. There are also meetings to be held in Boston, Florida and Texas over the next few months. Attendance to the meetings is open to the public but ongoing participation in the council will be limited to AUVSI members.

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