China-based drone maker DJI told the FCC it can't lawfully be placed on the list of covered companies posing a security risk. “DJI strongly and unequivocally disputes any claim that its products constitute a threat to U.S. national security, but in all events there is no lawful basis for the Commission to place DJI’s products on the Covered List,” said a filing posted Thursday in docket 21-232. “DJI neither produces nor provides any ‘communications equipment or services’ that are subject to the Secure Networks Act.” A DJI representative spoke with staff from the offices of General Counsel and Engineering and Technology and the Public Safety Bureau. In October, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr called attention to DJI (see 2110190051), which has more than half the U.S. drone market, comparing it to a “Huawei on wings.”

DroneDeploy, which offers software for drones, raised concerns about a potential crackdown on the flyers. The FCC should “work with other federal agencies in promoting the development of alternatives to drone makers that might ultimately be added to the covered list” and “consider hardware market realities and ensure that adequate alternatives exist before any restrictions on authorizations take effect,” the company told an aide to Commissioner Brendan Carr, per a filing posted Tuesday in docket 21-232. Carr called attention in October to China-based DJI (see 2110190051), which has more than half the U.S. drone market. The company also spoke with aides to the FCC Democrats (see 2204070033).

DroneDeploy, which offers software for drones, said the unmanned aviation system (UAS) market is constrained, and taking actions against any drone companies could have a negative effect on the broader industry. FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr called attention in October to China-based DJI (see 2110190051), which has more than half the U.S. drone market, saying it raises national security issues as a “Huawei on wings.” The FCC “should coordinate with other government efforts to promote the development of alternatives to products of concern, including small UAS,” DroneDeploy said in a filing posted Thursday in docket 21-232: “FCC action on restricting new drone equipment authorizations should consider hardware market realities and ensure there are other available alternatives.” DroneDeploy representatives spoke with aides to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, Office of Engineering and Technology acting Chief Ronald Repasi and other FCC staff.

Aviation Spectrum Resources urged the FCC to launch a rulemaking on service and licensing rules in the 5030-5091 MHz band enabling safety-related unmanned aviation system command and control. Comments filed last year in response to a record-fresh public notice (see 2110130044) demonstrate “a range of UAS spectrum needs and reinforces the support for the Commission to take timely actions to meet those needs,” the company said in a filing posted Monday in RM-11798: “The Commission should not attempt to solve all the spectrum requirements of the UAS industry in a single proceeding, as the ideal of a comprehensive solution would likely stand in the way of seizing the opportunity to make real and needed progress in the near term.”

Qualcomm urged the FCC to finish a proceeding on the use of the 5030-5091 MHz band by drones, in a call with staff from the Wireless Bureau and Office of Engineering and Technology. “Qualcomm expects the vast majority of [unmanned aircraft vehicle] missions will be carried out largely autonomously, taking advantage of UAV-to-UAV direct communications links and other on-board sensors once a pre-mission flight plan is approved and securely communicated to the unmanned aircraft,” said a filing posted Wednesday in docket RM-11798: “Qualcomm explained that it is important that a dedicated and protected spectrum band, such as the 5030-5091 MHz band, be used to support these important … communications functions, instead of unlicensed spectrum that is subject to high levels of unwanted and uncontrollable noise, particularly in metropolitan areas where most drones are expected to be operating.” Qualcomm urged the FCC to allocate 20 MHz “for a direct UAV to UAV communications mode, which drones will use to communicate directly with one another to coordinate safe and efficient flights and also for drones to broadcast Remote ID information in compliance with FAA regulations," with two 20.5 MHz blocks “licensed exclusively to support network communications through which drones will communicate via cellular networks for Control and Non-Payload Communications.”

FAA issued its millionth airspace authorization for drone pilots to use public airspace, the agency said Friday. It was issued under the low altitude authorization and notification capability program, which allows automated approvals. “This system has allowed drone pilots to gain timely access to busy airspace without sacrificing safety,” said Teri Bristol, chief operating officer of FAA’s Air Traffic Organization.

The Aerospace Industries Association and members updated the FCC on the group’s 2018 proposal for rules allowing use of the 5030-5091 MHz band for drones (see 2110130044), in a call with an aide to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “AIA ... reinforced its understanding that the 5030-5091 MHz band is the only spectrum in the U.S. dedicated exclusively” to drone command and control, said a filing posted Wednesday in RM-11798. AIA said it “anticipates current and future regulatory needs for the movement of people and of sizable payloads.” Aura Networks, Boeing, Collins Aerospace and Lockheed Martin were among participants.

California's SoFi Stadium, which is hosting Super Bowl LVI, is a "no drone zone," with temporary flight restrictions on drones near the stadium for much of Feb. 13, FAA said Wednesday. For a six-hour span that includes the game, temporary flight restrictions that include drones will be in effect within a 30-nautical-mile radius of the stadium, it said.

Aura and FAA launched a four-year research project to develop performance standards for air traffic control voice communications supporting drones, Aura said Tuesday. “The project is essential to eventual regulations empowering applications ranging from cargo flights to infrastructure inspections and first-responder operations.” It will look at “latency and evaluate voice quality/speech intelligibility of air-to-ground radio-path transmissions between [drone] pilots and FAA voice-switch air traffic controller positions,” Aura said.

Dronedek will demonstrate its smart mailbox for the delivery-by-drone market at CES, the company said Monday. The mailbox accepts delivery via robotic, unmanned driverless, aerial drone or conventional means and also allows users to send out packages, the company said. It can keep packages hot or cold, will alert users to parcel arrival, recharges drones and can send out an emergency alert. An app controls when the device is opened for delivery or retrieval; packages are locked in the mailbox and opened only via the owners' app. Dronedek will exhibit at its booth 61125, in Hall G, Eureka Park, at the Venetian Expo, and it will have another station at the CalChip Connect booth at booth 10215 in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.