Associate Director of Public Affairs, Art & Design
Laura Roose: lroose@natcadc.org; 202-220-9814
Senior Social Media Associate
Meagan Roper: mroper@natcadc.org; 202-220-9813
Outreach and Special Events Coordinator
Megan Seidman: mseidman@natcadc.org; 202-266-9851
Public Affairs Specialist
Sarah Zilonis: szilonis@natcadc.org; 202-266-9844
Web Specialist
Dan Whall: dwhall@natcadc.org; 202-266-9857
Administrative Assistant for Public Affairs
Pauline Hines: phines@natcadc.org; 202-266-9846
Information Technology Specialist
Matt Heer: mheer@natcadc.org; 202-266-9875
WEEKLY MESSAGE FROM FAA ATO COO TERI BRISTOL
March 9, 2018
Embracing the Challenge of New Operational Requirements
Hi everyone,
When some of the newest users of our national airspace first emerged, I don't think any
of us anticipated just how quickly we'd have to adapt and find ways to make our system
accessible for additional purposes beyond manned aircraft moving passengers and
cargo from place to place.
Since those early days, I am pleased at how many ways the FAA and our colleagues in
the ATO are leading and contributing to so many innovative initiatives involving
unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commercial space vehicles and other non-traditional
entrants.
This week, several members of our team participated in the FAA's UAS Symposium. We
made an exciting announcement about starting a national beta test of the Low Altitude
Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC), with a scheduled rollout to begin on
April 30. LAANC is a collaboration with industry that allows drone operators to request
access to controlled airspace and receive a response nearly instantly. We have added
additional information about the rollout on the LAANC website, including industry
information for companies interested in becoming a LAANC service supplier.
At the symposium, we gave drone users and entrepreneurs other important information
about how our airspace works to help them navigate their next steps, and we also
discussed shared responsibility for developing integration solutions while keeping our
airspace safe. Our Deputy Chief Operating Officer Tim Arel, who was on a panel at the
