Washington, D.C. — Today, Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) played a key role in introducing the Fair Qualifications for Pilots Act, a bipartisan effort aimed at addressing the medical requirements imposed on drone operators by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The bill seeks to prevent the FAA from enforcing stringent medical qualifications on drone operators, particularly those involved in commercial Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) operations. Currently, these operators are mandated to meet the same medical standards as commercial airline pilots, despite notable discrepancies in the physical demands of the two roles.
Joined by Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Mark Warner (D-VA) as sponsors of the bill, Senator Budd emphasized the importance of balancing safety and practicality in regulations. He stated, “The FAA should always prioritize safety in its regulations, but it must also use common sense. Burdensome medical requirements on drone pilots place an additional barrier to entry for UAS operators and could harm America’s thriving UAS industry. I’m proud to help propose legislation that would fix this issue.”
Senator Cruz echoed these sentiments, highlighting the need for tailored medical qualifications for UAS operators to unlock the full potential of drone technology. He expressed gratitude for the bipartisan support, stating, “Our bipartisan legislation is consistent with issued recommendations, which state that the FAA should develop tailored medical qualifications for UAS operators. I am grateful to be joined by Sens. Warner and Budd in this important effort to prevent the medical discrimination of capable drone operators based on unreasonable and unnecessary standards.”
Similarly, Senator Warner emphasized the need to update regulations to accommodate advancements in unmanned systems. He stressed the importance of eliminating discriminatory requirements that hinder talented pilots from contributing to the growing drone industry. Warner stated, “This legislation would eliminate unnecessary and discriminatory requirements that have prevented talented and capable pilots from operating these machines, diversifying and growing the drone workforce.”
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