Monterey Bay Leads Charge In Us Drone Flight Corridor Network
The Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP) has secured a significant investment of $7.4 million to …
29. July 2025
Massachusetts Moves To Ground Drones Amid Growing Safety Concerns
Massachusetts lawmakers are advancing multiple bills aimed at imposing stricter regulations on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the state. These proposals seek to address perceived gaps in federal oversight that could endanger airfields, military bases, and schools.
The proposed bills target various aspects of drone operations, including sales, takeoffs, landings, and near-schools. State Senator John Velis’s bill would impose penalties on drone operators who interfere with airport activities or pose security threats. Velis emphasized the risks associated with drones, citing instances of unauthorized flights near airports and military installations.
“We shudder to think if a privately-operated drone interfered during critical response or was able to surveil and obtain information about the wing’s operations,” Velis said, highlighting the potential security threats posed by drones.
Another bill introduced by Representative Bruce Ayers focuses on restricting drones near schools. Ayers argued that stronger measures are needed to safeguard students and staff, citing the importance of protecting public safety and privacy.
“We need to set a stronger precedent, that using drones over our schools without proper approval will not be tolerated,” Ayers said. “This will be proactive in protecting our public safety and privacy of our students and educators.”
The proposed bills also aim to ban sales of drones from Chinese state-owned companies in Massachusetts, reflecting broader national security concerns.
However, industry representatives and drone professionals have voiced strong opposition to the bills, arguing that they could hinder legitimate work and duplicate existing federal laws. Michael Ford, a commercial real estate aerial photographer, highlighted potential restrictions under H. 3663, which would prohibit drone takeoffs and landings within 150 feet of wildlife preserves, aquifers, and certain infrastructure.
“I’m negotiating an engagement for some photography for a client in Tisbury, on Martha’s Vineyard, but because it overlays a aquifer, half of Martha’s Vineyard would not be able to have drones flown over them,” Ford said. “I took marketing photographs of a commercial distribution center recently. That’s also on the list of places I couldn’t go.”
Ford emphasized that getting rid of Chinese drones in the short-term could impact school STEM programs and public safety.
“With regard to H. 3800, on Chinese drones, I understand that there is worry at the federal level on the security of those and I understand that they are working through to figure out what’s true and what’s not,” Ford said. “… but getting rid of Chinese drones in the short-term would impact school STEM programs, it would impact public safety, it would impact search and rescue: it would impact anybody who needs to use these drones.”
Industry representatives have also emphasized the need for more comprehensive federal regulations rather than duplicating existing laws.
“It’s reiterating all the things that are already in federal law,” said Hayden Spitz of Boston Drone Productions. “We need to form an industry panel and urge lawmakers to table the bills, advocating for alignment with FAA guidelines to avoid conflicts.”
The proposed bills could introduce operational hurdles for professional pilots, limiting access to key areas and raising compliance costs through fines and restrictions.
Proponents argue that these measures enhance safety and privacy, filling regulatory voids. However, not all lawmakers agree that these measures are necessary. The tension between state-level protections and federal preemption is a concern, potentially influencing drone policies in other states amid growing UAS adoption.
The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) has been working to promote collaboration between government and private sector stakeholders on drone policy development. AUVSI’s President and CEO, Michael Robbins, emphasized the importance of building a safer and more inclusive airspace.
“Promises have been made… promises have been broken,” Robbins said, expressing his disappointment with missed deadlines for publishing risk-based rules for drone flight beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). “We will get there.”
Robbins noted that while the FAA has made significant progress, the BVLOS NPRM remains under a second round of review by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA).
“We are at the point where the line is going to move logarithmically,” Robbins said. “The name of the game is to be a little bit ahead of the tech, not behind.”
He emphasized that the agency is working on writing the rules of engagement for new entrants into the airspace and developing a 10-year national plan for drones and AAM.
“We want to see operations move from research to real operations,” Robbins said. “The good news is that we’re well on our way to leading the world in drones and AAM development.”
As drone technology continues to evolve, Massachusetts lawmakers must balance competing interests and prioritize safety while promoting innovation. The proposed bills may provide a necessary step forward, but harmonization with federal rules will be crucial to avoid conflicts and ensure that the industry grows responsibly.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has emphasized the importance of moving forward on drone policy development, highlighting the need for urgency, innovation, and integration.
“The longer we take to get new entrants into the airspace, the more that potential benefit is lost,” said a DOT official. “The opportunity cost in lost time is a tax on this industry… and it’s one we don’t want to pay.”
The DOT outlined its approach, focusing on publishing risk-based rules, using AI to speed up the waiver process, preparing the airspace to safely accommodate new technologies at scale.
As the debate over drone regulations continues in Massachusetts and beyond, industry leaders, lawmakers, and regulators must work together to build a safer and more inclusive airspace. Ultimately, this will require cooperation across federal agencies, research institutions, the private sector, and communities. By prioritizing innovation while promoting safety, we can unlock the full potential of drone technology and create a brighter future for all.
The AUVSI Drone and AAM Policy Symposium brought together policymakers and industry leaders to discuss the future of drone and advanced air mobility (AAM) integration in the national airspace. Keynote speakers emphasized the importance of building universal conspicuity, which refers to the idea that all aircraft, including those currently exempt, should transmit their position to enhance safety and support integration with a unified traffic management (UTM) system.
Robbins also addressed the need for expanded counter-UAS authorities to detect, categorize, and mitigate unauthorized drone activity. He emphasized that current technology is available, but its use is strictly limited to a few government agencies, used only under very specific circumstances.
“The opportunity cost in lost time is a tax on this industry… and it’s one we don’t want to pay,” said the DOT official.
The department outlined its approach, focusing on publishing risk-based rules, using AI to speed up the waiver process, preparing the airspace to safely accommodate new technologies at scale.