Eight Major Technology Companies Create ‘Small UAV Coalition’

Several companies prevalent in the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) world have announced the formation of the Small UAV Coalition, which they say will help pave the way for the commercial, philanthropic and civil use of small UAVs in the U.S. and abroad.

Chief among the organization's goals is to advance a regulatory environment that will support safe, reliable and timely operation of small UAVs, the group says.

Founding members of the Small UAV Coalition are (in alphabetical order): 3DR, Aerialtronics, Airware, Amazon Prime Air, DJI Innovations, Google[x]'s Project Wing, GoPro and Parrot. The coalition is supported by a team of attorneys at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP.

‘Small unmanned aerial vehicles will yield tremendous benefits to consumers in so many exciting and practical ways,’ notes Michael Drobac, executive director of the Small UAV Coalition and senior advisor at Akin Gump. He says the group will work with the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Communications Commission, the Administration and Congress “to ensure this industry can flourish.”

The coalition will also “continue to support safe recreational enjoyment of UAVs for hobbyists and enthusiasts,” Drobac adds.

More information can be found here.