FCC Invites Public Feedback on Drone Regulations as Oregon Seeks New Testing Locations
Weekly UAS News Update
This week’s UAS news covers three significant developments: the absence of a replacement for DJI in the consumer drone market, the FCC’s call for public comments on drone spectrum reforms, and Oregon’s proposal for new drone test sites.
Nobody Is Coming to Replace DJI in the Consumer Drone Market
A recent report from The Verge highlights a concerning trend in the consumer drone market: no new competitors are emerging to fill the void left by DJI. The report indicates that many American companies capable of producing affordable consumer drones are currently engaged in lucrative defense contracts.
For instance, Skydio has announced it will not re-enter the consumer market, as the U.S. Army has placed a substantial order for their tactical drone, the X10 platform. This raises questions about the viability of developing consumer drones when significant military contracts are available.
Additionally, the Antigravity A1, which features an 8K 360° camera, recently launched and sold 30,000 units. However, as a Chinese company, Antigravity may face challenges related to supply chain issues and FCC approval in the future.
Meanwhile, the Zero Zero Hover Air Aqua has reportedly failed to secure FCC certification before the December deadline, leaving its future uncertain. This situation poses a challenge for volunteer fire departments and search and rescue operations that typically rely on affordable consumer drones, a problem that may become more pronounced in the coming years as current models become less accessible.
FCC Opens Public Comments on Drone Spectrum Reform
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued public notice DA-26314, inviting input from the drone industry on necessary reforms to enhance the United States’ position in the global drone market. The notice addresses six policy areas, with a particular focus on spectrum access.
Currently, most drones operate on the unlicensed 2.4 and 5.8 GHz bands, which are also used by home Wi-Fi networks. The FCC is considering a shift to the licensed 5030 and 5091 MHz bands. Although a 10 MHz block from 5,040 to 5,050 MHz was previously allocated for direct frequency assignment, it has not been utilized effectively.
The FCC aims to expedite experimental licensing and address counter-UAS regulations. Under Section 333 of the Communications Act, interference with radio communications is prohibited, which complicates the deployment of counter-drone systems that rely on signal jamming.
Comments on this notice are due by May 1st, and the outcome may influence the regulatory framework before current exemptions expire in 2027.
Oregon Proposes Locations for Drone Test Sites
The Oregon Department of Aviation has submitted an eight-point response to the FCC’s public notice, specifically recommending locations for new UAS innovation zones. They have identified three test corridors in varied terrains: one in the Cascades near Oakridge, another along the Columbia River Gorge, and a third in Southeast Oregon.
Oregon argues that testing drones in controlled environments does not yield data applicable to real-world scenarios. The state emphasizes the importance of testing in challenging conditions, such as wildlife response operations and emergency deliveries, which often involve mountainous terrain, line-of-sight restrictions, and unpredictable weather.
Furthermore, Oregon supports the proposed shift to the 5030 and 5091 MHz bands for command and control links, stressing that safety-critical operations should not depend on unlicensed bands. The state also requests a streamlined waiver process for the deployment of foreign drones during the transition period.
This summary is based on a video by Pilot Institute on YouTube and additional reporting by Greg Reverdiau on DroneXL.