Regulatory Alert: FAA Solicits Nominations for Appointment to the Advanced Aviation Advisory Committee
November 9, 2021
Today the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a notice to solicit nominations for membership on the new Advanced Aviation Advisory Committee (AAAC), previously known as the Drone Advisory Committee (DAC). The AAAC is a federal advisory committee that provides advice and recommendations to FAA on key issues affecting the safe and efficient integration of advanced aviation technologies into the national airspace, including unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and advanced air mobility (AAM). 
While FAA only recently announced the formation of the AAAC, airports have been represented by one member on the DAC since a series of new appointments were made to the body earlier this year. FAA's decision to reform the DAC into the AAAC reflects the agency's recent shift and increased attention toward AAM operators and integration issues. Airport representatives who are interested in serving on the AAAC have until January 10, 2022, to apply. You can find additional details in the Federal Register notice here, which will be officially published tomorrow. 
Background. The DAC was originally formed in 2016 to bring together FAA and industry stakeholders to tackle some of the major issues affecting the integration of UAS into the national airspace. For over five years the DAC has consisted of no more than 35 members that serve 2-year terms and represent stakeholders from across the industry, including airports, pilots, local government, UAS operators and manufacturers, and traditional manned operators, among others. 
On October 27, FAA Deputy Administrator Bradley Mims announced that the scope of DAC will expand to include AAM operations, and the name was changed to the AAAC to reflect the new focus areas. The updated charter for the AAAC states that the committee will now consist of 41 members and include 'community advocate' as a new stakeholder group to ensure their voice is heard in these discussions. 
AAAC Member Application Process. According to today's nomination solicitation, FAA indicated that qualified candidates must be in good public standing and currently serve as a member of their organization's core senior leadership team with the ability to make decisions on UAS or AAM related issues. Nominees will be required to submit the following materials to FAA for consideration: (a) a short biography; (b) a resume or curriculum vitae; and (c) a one-page statement that describes how the candidate will benefit the AAAC. Up to three letters of recommendation may also be submitted, but are not required. FAA will submit member recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation, who will make the final decision on appointments. 
What's Next? Nominees who are interested in serving on the AAAC must submit their applications to FAA no later than 6 p.m. ET on January 10, 2022. AAAE has been intimately involved in subcommittees and task groups within the DAC and supported airport member representatives since it was originally established. We will continue to support our AAAC airport members to ensure that the community is well represented before FAA as it relates to the safe and secure integration of UAS and AAM in the national airspace. 
If you have any questions regarding the AAAC or today's solicitation, please contact Justin Barkowski at justin.barkowski@aaae.org.   
 
Today the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a notice to solicit nominations for membership on the new Advanced Aviation Advisory Committee (AAAC), previously known as the Drone Advisory Committee (DAC). The AAAC is a federal advisory committee that provides advice and recommendations to FAA on key issues affecting the safe and efficient integration of advanced aviation technologies into the national airspace, including unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and advanced air mobility (AAM). 
While FAA only recently announced the formation of the AAAC, airports have been represented by one member on the DAC since a series of new appointments were made to the body earlier this year. FAA's decision to reform the DAC into the AAAC reflects the agency's recent shift and increased attention toward AAM operators and integration issues. Airport representatives who are interested in serving on the AAAC have until January 10, 2022, to apply. You can find additional details in the Federal Register notice here, which will be officially published tomorrow. 
Background. The DAC was originally formed in 2016 to bring together FAA and industry stakeholders to tackle some of the major issues affecting the integration of UAS into the national airspace. For over five years the DAC has consisted of no more than 35 members that serve 2-year terms and represent stakeholders from across the industry, including airports, pilots, local government, UAS operators and manufacturers, and traditional manned operators, among others. 
On October 27, FAA Deputy Administrator Bradley Mims announced that the scope of DAC will expand to include AAM operations, and the name was changed to the AAAC to reflect the new focus areas. The updated charter for the AAAC states that the committee will now consist of 41 members and include 'community advocate' as a new stakeholder group to ensure their voice is heard in these discussions. 
AAAC Member Application Process. According to today's nomination solicitation, FAA indicated that qualified candidates must be in good public standing and currently serve as a member of their organization's core senior leadership team with the ability to make decisions on UAS or AAM related issues. Nominees will be required to submit the following materials to FAA for consideration: (a) a short biography; (b) a resume or curriculum vitae; and (c) a one-page statement that describes how the candidate will benefit the AAAC. Up to three letters of recommendation may also be submitted, but are not required. FAA will submit member recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation, who will make the final decision on appointments. 
What's Next? Nominees who are interested in serving on the AAAC must submit their applications to FAA no later than 6 p.m. ET on January 10, 2022. AAAE has been intimately involved in subcommittees and task groups within the DAC and supported airport member representatives since it was originally established. We will continue to support our AAAC airport members to ensure that the community is well represented before FAA as it relates to the safe and secure integration of UAS and AAM in the national airspace. 
If you have any questions regarding the AAAC or today's solicitation, please contact Justin Barkowski at justin.barkowski@aaae.org.   
 
