Calls On Gov’t To Remove TFR While UAVs Are Grounded

Stating that an accident Tuesday involving a US Customs and Border Patrol Predator B UAV reinforces their position that UAVs must meet manned aircraft safety standards, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association is calling on the FAA to revoke TFRs currently in place along the US-Mexico border while the fleet is grounded as investigators determine why the unmanned plane crashed.

“This crash highlights the safety concerns we’ve voiced all along,” said Andy Cebula, AOPA executive vice president of government affairs. “The FAA should not permit UAV operations until they are certified to the same level of safety as manned aircraft.”

“Thankfully, in this accident no one in the air or on the ground was hurt,” Cebula added. “But just think that if a pilot had been flying legally under the TFR and the UAV hit the aircraft from behind and above — the pilot would have had no chance to see and avoid the uncontrolled UAV.”

Source and more info: aero-news