The anticipated NPRM has been in the White House’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) for months. Yesterday (1/28/15) model aircraft regulations were added to the NPRM.
From: http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=201410&RIN=2120-AJ60
From: http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=201410&RIN=2120-AJ60
This will be interesting considering that Congress told the FAA- "hands off" model regulations. Note, this change to the NPRM was made by the White House, not the FAA.The FAA is proposing to amend its regulations to adopt specific rules for the operation of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) in the National Airspace System (NAS). These changes would address the classification of sUAS, certification of sUAS pilots and visual observers, registration of sUAS, approval of sUAS operations, and sUAS operational limits. The NPRM also proposes regulations for all sUAS, including operating standards for model aircraft and low performance (e.g., toy) operations, to increase the safety and efficiency of the NAS. The FAA and sUAS community lack sufficient formal safety data regarding unmanned operations to support granting traditional, routine access to the NAS. This proposed rule would result in the regular collection of safety data from the user community and help the FAA develop new regulations and expand sUAS access to the NAS.