MADISON, WIS. – Wisconsin Aviation, Inc. hosted its second workshop October 27, 2015 on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) at its Dane County Regional Airport, Madison, Wis. location. The workshop featured a display of UAS, ranging from very small aircraft costing less than $50.00, to more sophisticated models costing several hundred dollars.
The fear in the general aviation community is that UAS operators will violate the 5 nm zone that surrounds all airports without first notifying the airport owner or operator, and there will be a collision.
Speakers included Dan Spangler of Wisconsin Aviation, who himself is a UAS owner and operator; Russell A. Klingaman of Hinshaw & Culbertson, an attorney in Milwaukee who specializes in aviation law; and Dr. Chris Johnson, a flight instructor at Wisconsin Aviation, who also consults with businesses interested in utilizing drones. Craig Larson of the Milwaukee FAA Flight Standards District Office explained what he knew about current and upcoming Federal Aviation Regulations affecting UAS operations.
Anticipated skyrocketing sales of UAS over the Christmas holidays are expected to compound the problem for all pilots and airport operators.