The FAA is asking airports, operators and other stakeholders to weigh in on how unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) are being incorporated into airports and droneports, with public comments due April 22. The notice covers a proposed information collection tied to UAS planning, design and infrastructure needs as drone and other AAM activity expands.
The agency is looking for feedback on what airports and droneports may need to support those operations and how that work could affect future development. According to the notice, the information would help the FAA assess evolving issues around planning airports and related facilities as unmanned aircraft become a larger part of the operating environment.
The comment period comes a little more than two weeks after the FAA and the U.S. Department of Transportation selected eight proposals in 26 states for the Advanced Air Mobility and Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing Integration Pilot Program (eIPP). That effort, which is set to begin this year, will aim to gather operational data on eVTOL and other advanced air mobility aircraft through projects involving state and local governments, manufacturers and operators. Planned concepts that will be trialed include passenger service, cargo flights, emergency response, autonomous operations and offshore transportation.