Alaska readies its airports for the coming wave of pilotless planes

The state of Alaska is making proactive moves to regulate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) near its whopping 247 rural airports and various international airports, citing collision prevention and pilot (of the not human variety?) training as priorities.

Reporting to the Alaska Journal, officials admit that the current state of UAS regulation is a bit of a wild, wild west scenario — the few parameters that exist serve mostly to prevent drones from flying within five miles of airports. But as the UAS sector continues to evolve, pilotless planes may become as regular as driverless cars appear set to become. The regulatory bodies being formed today may soon find themselves tasked with directing an entire emerging industry of businesses built around unmanned aircraft.

Northern Region Planning Manager for the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Jeff Roach spells out the efforts being made:

“We are looking at ways that we can integrate unmanned aircraft system operations into our airports operations just like the FAA is looking at ways to integrate operations into the national airspace.”

Ironically, one of the top priorities in regulating Alaska's unmanned aircraft industry is the training of pilots. While licensed drone operators currently must pass knowledge-based tests in order to legally fly their aircraft, they aren't held to the same flight test requirements that their pilot peers must demonstrate.

Up for debate, at least in Alaska, is the distance from the airport UAS's must stay away, and how high they are permitted to rise. The Defense Department currently pegs those numbers at 5 miles, and below 700 feet respectively. The Alaska Air Carriers Association has requested that 500 feet be made the height limit instead.

Drone flights, and the UAS industry in general, show no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Alaska, and the rest of the world have their work cut out for them as we all struggle to adapt.