NATE Statement in Support of Ranking Member DeFazio’s Amendment to Reform Section 336
For Immediate Release:
April 26, 2018
NATE Statement in Support of Ranking Member DeFazio’s Amendment to Reform Section 336
(Washington, D.C.) – The NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association today released a statement in support of Rep. Peter DeFazio’s amendment to legislation to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration.
NATE enthusiastically supports the amendment to Section 336 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 proposed by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member DeFazio to impose safety regulations on all drone operators.
Todd Schlekeway, Executive Director of NATE, a trade association consisting of 825 member companies in the wireless infrastructure and communications tower industries, said, “Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) are tailor-made for our industry due to the safety and efficiency benefits associated with their use. In order for commercial UAS operations to achieve their potential, however, provisions like registration and remote identification are paramount. The DeFazio amendment is a vital step forward in leveling the playing field by ensuring that model UAS operators would be regulated in the same fashion as commercial operators from a safety regulations perspective. It would establish accountability for all UAS operators and close a loophole which NATE officials believe endangers the safety and security of the National Airspace.
NATE remains committed to working with members of Congress and officials from the Federal Aviation Administration to continue to enhance the scale of drones both in our industry and for all operators.
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About NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association is a non-profit trade association in the wireless infrastructure industry providing a unified voice for tower erection, service and maintenance companies. Today the Association boasts over 825 member companies located throughout the United States, Australia, Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Canada, China, Ghana, India, Italy, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Romania, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sweden, Trinidad and Tobago and the United Arab Emirates. For additional information on NATE, please visit www.natehome.com.
