Speech #1090139807

I appreciate consideration of my amendment by the subcommittee. This amendment adds the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to the list of committees to receive a report on the April 25. 2006. unmanned aerial vehicle mishap. The operation of Customs and Border Protection unmanned aerial vehicles sometimes occurs and has occurred in our National Airspace System. and that is also taking place along our Nations southern border. and perhaps eventually that will also occur on the northern border. All Customs and Border Protection UAV operations are conducted now in compliance with the Federal Aviation Administration with an FAAissued Certificate of Authorization. It sets forth various restrictions and conditions of operation. Operations will take place within an FAAestablished Temporary Flight Restriction area. ] 2000 The operations of UAVs outside the restricted airspace. in the Integrated airspace with manned vehicles. poses some unique safety issues for the FAA. Information indicates that the unmanned aerial system accident rate is two to three orders of magnitude greater than it is for manned systems. That is why it is important that the Customs and Border Protection UAV. which was involved in a mishap on April 25. 2006. and operating again within this space and under an FAAissued certificate of authorization. should also be under the jurisdiction or at least the concern of this report provided to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. This accident is being investigated by the National Safety Transportation Board with the assistance of the FAA. The Transportation and nfrastructure Committee of the House has great interest in learning about this accident. particularly as the FAA is developing regulations and procedures for the integration of these UAV vehicles into our National Air System for the future.