We wanted to find out more about the team behind Drone World Expo – what makes them tick, what motivates them and what are the secrets behind the success of the event. We interviewed Advisory Board member Douglas Johnson, Vice President of Technology Policy at the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). Doug is responsible for public policy issues affecting product development, operations, sales and marketing across the CE industry. He serves as an advocate for the industry before regulators and legislators at the local, national and international levels.
1. At what point in your career did you first become involved with UAS in a professional capacity? Are you a hobby flyer?
My interaction with the aviation community goes back to 2003, when I got involved in technical and regulatory issues concerning portable electronic devices on airplanes. Fresh from working with FAA in 2013 to finally change the rules for using consumer electronics on airplanes, I turned to drones and initiated our involvement in drone policy issues. I saw CTA’s involvement in this new industry as imperative. We know how the adoption and growth of new technology can depend on an innovation-friendly policy environment. As a tech industry association, we are on the vanguard of industry efforts to shape rules and requirements impacting our industry’s products and services, and the CTA team brings a lot of resources, focus and creativity to bear. On the personal side, I certainly enjoy flying toy drones with my son – who himself just finished a summer drone camp.
2. Is the CTA primarily interested in the use of drones by the general public (i.e. as a hobby) or is it equally involved in promoting the commercial use of drones?
In CTA’s membership are companies with wide-ranging interests in drones, including component suppliers, drone manufacturers, retailers, software developers, service providers, companies focused on the consumer channel, companies focused on commercial applications, and companies focused on both. To date, most commercial drone operations have relied on the same vehicles available to consumers. What’s more, today’s hobbyist or recreational user might be tomorrow’s commercial UAS pilot or drone entrepreneur. With all of this in mind, our work and collaboration to support and advance the growth of the broader market is very important.
3. Tell us about your work with FAA on UAS registration and rule-making – is the CTA’s approach at odds with other members of the various committees that you’ve been involved with?
It’s quite the contrary. The FAA’s advisory committee process, which was used to develop the recommendations regarding drone registration and drone flights over people, counted on diverse groups of stakeholders from the aviation and UAS communities working through the issues and achieving consensus. It’s a model that has worked well, and one I expect will be used again as we all continue to collaborate and build the needed and balanced regulatory framework enabling UAS growth.
4. What are the main public policy issues with regard to the more widespread use of drones (private and commercial)?
One of the biggest challenges is right here in the U.S. Increasingly, local government leaders and elected officials are addressing the importance of safe drone usage and dangers of flying drones carelessly. But we are very concerned that the myriad of misaligned and conflicting local rules now emerging across the country will hinder U.S. growth and leadership in this promising technology. As we’ve said, overzealous regulation will damage entrepreneurs and startups, stifle current job creation and hinder the remarkable economic potential the drone sector offers. A sloppy patchwork of rules will confuse casual hobbyists and commercial operators alike, and undercut federal and industry UAS safety initiatives.
CTA has been engaged in drone policy issues in states and cities across the U.S., and I’m hopeful that the collaborative spirit leading to great outcomes at the national level will be the same spirit enabling appropriate and consistent state and local policies. U.S. drone policy and technology leadership depends on it.