Issued by the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Mitigation at Airports

The recently established Blue Ribbon Task Force on Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Mitigation at Airports has added Mark Laroche, President and CEO of Ottawa International Airport Authority, and Neil Wilson, President and CEO of NAV CANADA, as new members.

Last month, the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) and Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) announced the formation of a Blue Ribbon Task Force on Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Mitigation at Airports. The Task Force brings together a cross-section of stakeholders representing the airport, UAS and manned aviation communities in North America to refine procedural practices and provide a policy framework to address the timely and critical issue of incursions by unauthorized UAS at airports and how best to mitigate this threat.

Serious concerns regarding unauthorized and unsafe drone operations near airports have been highlighted by the major disruption such activity caused at London Gatwick Airport in December 2018 and Newark Liberty International Airport in January 2019. The Task Force members will examine and develop recommendations around two main areas. First, they will generate expert-led dialogue to refine procedural practices for airports, law enforcement and other stakeholders to ensure efficient and seamless responses to future UAS incidents. Second, they will develop a longer-term policy framework based on the experience from the initial efforts to deter incursions, and emerging technologies. The goal is for this work to lead to and inform future conversations about UAS mitigation at other facilities, such as national landmarks, stadiums, prisons and military bases.

“As drone technology continues to evolve at an increasingly faster pace, airports across North America must continue to adapt to the presence of drones in our airspace just as quickly,” said Laroche. “While we have only seen close calls in Canada with no major incidents to date, we must ensure that we are prepared with an appropriate regulatory framework that addresses this new threat. It is also critical that all industry stakeholders understand the role they must play to counter any nefarious use of drones around our airports.”

“I’m very pleased to be joining the Task Force and contributing NAV CANADA’s unique perspective on the issue,” said Wilson. “The integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace has introduced distinct challenges for air traffic management now and going forward. While the growth of this new industry can be exciting, it is essential that it occur in a way that does not jeopardize the safety of others, either on the ground or in the air.”

Laroche and Wilson are joining the Task Force, which is comprised of the following aviation industry luminaries:

• Michael Huerta, Former Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration (Co-Chair)
• Deborah Flint, CEO, Los Angeles World Airports (Co-Chair)
• Scott Brockman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority
• Rich Davis, Former Managing Director of Global Security, United Airlines
• Trish Gilbert, Executive Vice President, National Air Traffic Controllers Association
• Cathy Lanier, Senior Vice President of Security, National Football League
• Huntley A. Lawrence, Director of Aviation, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
• Chad Makovsky, EVP of Operations, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
• Marily Mora, President and CEO, Reno Tahoe Airport Authority
• John Pistole, Former Administrator, Transportation Security Administration, and Former Deputy Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Jamie Rhee, Commissioner, Chicago Department of Aviation

As part of its work, the Task Force will meet with experts in UAS technology, national security and defense, law enforcement, government, and those working in the air space, including UAS operators, commercial and general aviation pilots, air traffic controllers, and airline and airport leadership. The Task Force will solicit comments on its website from the public and will explore holding a limited series of in-person and virtual public meetings on UAS mitigation. It anticipates releasing findings over the summer.

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