The FAA has asked for for applications in order to make the Drone Advisory Council (DAC) more representative of the actual make up of the drone community.

The small business Drone Service Providers (DSP) is a severely underrepresented on the DAC, even though we are the largest segment of the Commercial UAS Industry. Even after many of us have applied in previous rounds.

The wording in the Federal Register even states "The membership must be fairly balanced in terms of points of view represented and the functions performed. The stakeholder groups represented on the DAC include the following:... UAS Operators". But sadly no one who flies drones for a living is on the DAC. And as previously we represent the vast majority of drone operators in the United States. So as the membership on the DAC sits now, it is nowhere close to "fairly balanced".

Qualifications for applicants state: "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 UAS-related decisions. In rare circumstances, membership will be granted to uniquely qualified individuals who do not meet this latter requirement. Members appointed solely for their individual expertise serve as Special Government Employees." 

The issue with part of that qualification list is the "leadership team" aspect of the applicant. There is currently no "organization" (yet) for individual DSPs, so that makes it hard to be on the "core leadership team". As such, I'd like to consider this petition to be evidence to the FAA and DOT that I could speak on the UAS Community's behalf as a member of the DAC. I've been asked by many to apply and serve, and would be honored to represent each and every DSP in the country. 

Without an actual organization to be a leader of, I thought I'd try this novel approach to show the FAA and DOT that I am a leader in the UAS Community, and I should be included under the "rare circumstances" mentioned in the Federal Registry. The DOT has made an exception. I'd love to see them utilize it.

If you agree with others who feel I would make a good voice for DSPs, I would appreciate you adding your signature to this petition and sharing it with as many others as you think should sign it. I will include a link to this petition and its numbers in my application. The deadline for applications is 6:00AM on August 18th. I'll be submitting my application by August 16th. Please sign and share before then.

Thank you in advance for your vote of confidence.