H5487

Our current level of technology (and it's rate of advancement) would determine how fast and to what extent a "Low Altitude UAS Air Traffic Control" would be implemented because detection and monitoring are key parts of controlling airspace and the technology just isn't avail for sUAs yet. Traditional systems such as radar have trouble at the lower altitudes due to "ground clutter". (In this case, think of ground clutter as metropolitan buildings creating radar "shadows" that limit the radar's coverage area.) Compounding the problem is that even the newest digital air traffic control radar cannot detect the smaller UAVs that we fly. And newer-technology ATC systems such as ADS-B require that every aircraft in the monitored airspace (both manned and unmanned) be equipped with an electronic box that reports its position to ATC. This equipment is currently very expensive (as light full-scale aircraft owners are currently discovering as we scramble to comply) and too heavy for sUAV applications.

Unfortunately, when technology lags behind the FAA's dreams/needs, the usual practice is for the FAA to prohibit unequipped aircraft operations in congested/controlled airspace until the problem can be solved. (Examples: The FAA's push for lightplane transponders in the 1970s, and the currently looming requirement for ADS-B boxes by 2020.) Therefore, if the FAA were to decide that a low level air traffic control system be required in congested metropolitan areas, it wouldn't be surprising for the FAA to ban all sUAVs (including models) unless they are equipped with ADS-B style reporting boxes. Such a requirement would virtually kill inner-city model flying fields in cities with commercial airports, thus relegating the r/c hobby to the same status as hazardous waste dumps!

And the public cannot understand why today's kids have left traditionally "acceptable" activities and have turned to drugs instead!

Harvey