PAX Centurion - Fall 2016

Page 62 • PAX CENTURION • Fall 2016 617-989-BPPA (2772) drones weighing less than 55 pounds that are conducting non- hobbyist operations. The rule’s provisions are designed to minimize risks to other aircraft and people and property on the ground. The regulations require pilots to keep an unmanned aircraft within visual line of sight. Drones are allowed to be operated during daylight and twilight if the drone has anti-collision lights. The new regulations also address height and speed restrictions and other operational limits, such as prohibiting flights over unprotected people on the ground who are not directly participating in the drone operation. The FAA is proposing a process to waive some restrictions if an operator proves the proposed flight will be conducted safely under a waiver and these waivers will be available for online purchase in the next few months. Further, under the rule, the person actually flying a drone must be at least 16 years old and have a remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating, or be directly supervised by someone with such a certificate. To qualify for a remote pilot certificate, an individual must either pass an initial aeronautical knowledge test at an FAA- approved knowledge testing center or have an existing non-student Part 61 pilot certificate. If qualifying with a non-student Part 61 pilot certificate, the pilot must have completed a flight review within the past two years and must take a UAS online training course provided by the FAA. The TSA will conduct a security background check of all remote pilot applications prior to issuance of a certificate. A summary of the final rule can be found on the next page. Congress Returns to Work September 6 th C ongress will return to work on September 6 th after 7 weeks of in-district work and will have four weeks to get things done before lawmakers adjourn yet again at the beginning of October for some final pre-election campaigning. Congress’main focus in September will be passing a stop-gap spending measure to ensure that the federal government does not shut down at the end of the fiscal year on September 30 th . While the House and Senate have each passed their versions of many of the spending bills, Congress has not passed one fiscal 2017 appropriations bill. The biggest decision will be whether to fund the federal government and all of its programs through December 11 th and then pass an omnibus spending measure like they did last year, or pass a longer-term stop-gap bill that leaves it to the new Congress andAdministration to finalize fiscal 2017 spending levels. A stop-gap measure is also called a continuing resolution because it just continues the funding levels from the previous fiscal year into the new year with very little changes. While funding for NAPO’s priority grant programs has remained steady of the past couple of fiscal years and will thus will not be greatly affected by either decision, we prefer an omnibus spending measure as it will give state and local law enforcement the greatest chance of rescinding the President’s Executive Order restricting access to surplus military equipment. In addition to appropriations, NAPO will focus much of our efforts in September on moving our remaining priorities, including our work to rescind the President’s Executive Order and pass the PSOB Improvements Act and the Children of Fallen Heroes ScholarshipAct. We will keep our members updated on the progress of our work. If you have any questions, please contact Andy Edmiston at aedmiston@napo.org . From The Washington Report on page 61 JJ’s Irish Pub &Grill 1130 Dorchester Avenue Dorchester, MA 617-282-5919 Proudly Supports the BPPA Scholarship Fund Declaration of Homestead Protect your residence! If you own a home, call us today to find out how you can protect your property up to $500,000.00 Don Green Law Office of Donald E. Green (A full service law firm) 2235 Washington Street Roxbury, MA 02119 (617) 442-0050 toll free (877) DON-GREEN As we have over the past 30 years, we offer a discounted fee to police officers Don Green Annette Hill Green