Comment from Kerry Ahearn
City of Boulder CitySupportIndividual
Summary: The commenter supports the FAA's effort to develop the new rule but expresses concern regarding UAV operations in busy Class G airspace. They request that the FAA include specific exceptions requiring authorization for UAV operations near high-traffic airports like Boulder City Airport.
I applaud the FAAs effort in developing this new rule, I can imagine the level of effort involved. I do have concerns; however, with UAV operators flying in Class G airspace without permission. The Boulder City Airport has approximately 98,000 operations and the preliminary enplanement data shows a total of 388,924 enplanements for CY2015. The airport has applied to the FAA Contract Tower Program in 2011 but to date; the FAA has not added more airports to the program. Adding UAVs to Boulder Citys complex airspace which includes numerous helicopters operating at 500 or below without coordination can be disastrous. It is my hope that the FAA will make exceptions for busy airports located in Class G airspace to require UAV operations to have authorization. Thank you for your consideration.