Food for thought: the FAA defines minimum safe altitude for manned aircraft as basically "a low as you like" over open water or undeveloped areas.
But it says UAVs must always remain below 400'. This conflict must be resolved.
I think to maintain safe separation, the FAA will absolutely need to redefine MSA for manned aircraft in §119 of Part 91, parts 3 and 4 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR):
...
3. Over Open Water or Sparsely Populated Areas: an altitude allowing for a linear distance greater than 500 feet from any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure;
4. Helicopters: If without hazard to persons or property on the surface, an altitude lower than in definitions 2, 3, and 4 above, provided in compliance with any routes or altitudes specifically prescribed for helicopters by the FAA.
...
This is asking for an accident waiting to happen, as UAV's expect to be able to fly in this airspace.
Unless ADS-B transponders are required equipment on all UAV's, I can't see "under 400" and "any altitude you like" for aircraft creating a "safe integration of UAV's into the national airspace".
But it says UAVs must always remain below 400'. This conflict must be resolved.
I think to maintain safe separation, the FAA will absolutely need to redefine MSA for manned aircraft in §119 of Part 91, parts 3 and 4 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR):
...
3. Over Open Water or Sparsely Populated Areas: an altitude allowing for a linear distance greater than 500 feet from any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure;
4. Helicopters: If without hazard to persons or property on the surface, an altitude lower than in definitions 2, 3, and 4 above, provided in compliance with any routes or altitudes specifically prescribed for helicopters by the FAA.
...
This is asking for an accident waiting to happen, as UAV's expect to be able to fly in this airspace.
Unless ADS-B transponders are required equipment on all UAV's, I can't see "under 400" and "any altitude you like" for aircraft creating a "safe integration of UAV's into the national airspace".