The following statement is attributed to Douglas Johnson, vice president of technology policy, Consumer Technology Association (CTA), regarding today’s announcement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the approved programs under the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Pilot Program (IPP):
 
   “We know drones can provide a safer, more efficient and environmentally-sustainable way of conducting a wide range of tasks, and are often a very local technology in their application. The IPP is a laudable, technology-forward initiative that will strengthen our understanding of the practical and policy issues related to drones and their many beneficial use cases. The program also will enable more Americans to see this amazing technology in action and, at the same time, help craft appropriate, innovation-friendly and forward-looking public policy. We are excited about the IPP and congratulate our member companies who are partners in the program, as well as those involved in the earlier application process.”
 
   Douglas Johnson is currently a member of the U.S. FAA’s Drone Advisory Committee Subcommittee and has served on the UAS Registration Task Force, Micro UAS Aviation Rulemaking Committee and UAS Identification and Tracking Aviation Rulemaking Committee.
 
   CTA expects total drone sales in the U.S. to reach record highs of 3.7 million units in 2018 (a 20 percent increase) and $1.2 billion in revenue (a 17 percent increase). Drones below 250 grams are expected to reach just over 2.2 million units this year, while drones above 250 grams will reach 1.5 million units shipped.