ACLU Unveils Drone Surveillance Report as House Advances ACERO Act and SC Debates New Legislation

ACLU Publishes Major Report on Drone Surveillance and Airspace Restrictions

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has released a significant report titled “Drones for Them, Not for Us,” which critiques current U.S. drone policies. The report argues that these policies disproportionately benefit government agencies and corporations while restricting access for ordinary citizens and journalists.

Key findings in the report include:

• Instances of the NYPD deploying a Skydio X10 drone over protest crowds without a parachute recovery system.
• A 935-square-mile temporary flight restriction over Chicago during federal operations.
• The existence of invisible 3,000-foot no-fly zones that follow Department of Homeland Security vehicles.

The report highlights a troubling trend where hobbyists and commercial pilots face increasing restrictions, while government entities appear to operate with fewer limitations. It also raises concerns about a foreign drone ban that could make drone ownership unaffordable for many consumers.

This report has garnered attention from outside the UAS industry, indicating a growing awareness of these issues. The ACLU’s findings will be monitored as the conversation around drone policies continues to evolve.

US House Passes the ACERO Act for Wildfire Drone Operations

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the bipartisan ACERO Act, which now moves to the Senate for consideration. This legislation directs NASA to enhance its Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations (ACERO) to improve airspace coordination during active wildfire situations.

Currently, helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and drones operate in the same airspace during wildfires, which can lead to safety concerns. The ACERO Act mandates NASA to develop a shared framework utilizing a portable airspace management system that provides real-time aircraft location data across fire zones. This system is akin to a portable unmanned traffic management solution that can be deployed in remote areas.

The integration of drones in wildfire management is seen as a crucial innovation, and the passage of this bill reflects a positive step towards enhancing safety for firefighters and improving wildfire tracking efforts.

South Carolina Lawmakers Consider Restrictive Drone Bill

In South Carolina, lawmakers are deliberating a new bill, H4679, that seeks to impose restrictions on drone operations. The proposed legislation includes several key provisions:

• Banning UAS operations within 1,000 feet of critical infrastructure.
• Prohibiting flights over or within 1,500 feet of state or county correctional facilities without authorization.
• Restricting operations over or within 1,500 feet of military installations.
• Limiting flights over private property in a manner that invades privacy, harasses occupants, creates a nuisance, or poses a safety hazard.
• Making it unlawful to operate within five miles of an airport without FAA authorization.

It is important to note that FAA authorization is typically based on airspace classification rather than distance from an airport, a standard that has been in place for over a decade.

Residents of South Carolina are encouraged to engage with their representatives regarding this bill, which is sponsored by several lawmakers, including Mitchell, Cox, Smith, Wooten, Chapman, Newton, Weikert, Simmer, Guest, and McCravy.