Sept. 8, 2016: NATCA EVP Trish Gilbert Named to RTCA Drone Advisory Committee

Sep 8, 2016

NATCA EVP Trish Gilbert Named to RTCA Drone Advisory Committee

WASHINGTON – National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) Executive Vice President Trish Gilbert has accepted an invitation from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to serve on the newly established RTCA Drone Advisory Committee (DAC) and join a wide array of key aviation stakeholders.

The DAC is tasked with a very important mission: Safely integrating Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into the National Airspace System (NAS).

“NATCA has worked collaboratively with the FAA and stakeholders on safe integration of UAS and we’re looking forward to continuing that strong collaboration by participating on the DAC,” Gilbert said. “We support the many benefits of UAS in the NAS but integration needs to be done safely and methodically, and as swiftly as possible.”

The DAC, which will hold its inaugural meeting ‪on Sept. 16, is modeled on the NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC), on which NATCA President Paul Rinaldi serves.

“There is great importance in coming together at this critical juncture in the development and proliferation of UAS,” Gilbert said. “As we advance toward integration, we want to be doing the things that ensure safety and make sense. As the NAC has driven NextGen implementation, we expect the DAC to advise the FAA on driving UAS implementation.”

Certified in 1987, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association represents over 19,000 highly skilled air traffic controllers, engineers, and other safety-related professionals.

To subscribe to receive NATCA press releases, statements, and media advisories, please click here.