On Wednesday, 16 September, 80 members of AUVSI converged on Capitol Hill to exhibit products and hold meetings with U.S. lawmakers. In all, over 40 meetings took place with Members of Congress and their staff. AUVSI members called on lawmakers to support the unmanned systems industry by ensuring thatlanguage in the FAA Reauthorization Act calling for the integration of unmanned aircraft into the National Airspace System remains in the bill.
AUVSI hosted a small exhibition where members displayed 12 unmanned aircraft systems in the Rayburn House Office Building Foyer. Over 20 Members of Congress visited the exhibits including Reps. Jerry Costello (D-Ill.), chairman of the House Aviation Subcommittee, Vernon Ehlers (R-Mich.), co-chair of the House Aerospace Caucus, Rep. Parker Griffith (D-Ala.), member of the House AviationSubcommittee and the Army Caucus and Robotics Caucus, as well as other Senate and House staff members.
At the closing reception and dinner Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-Calif.), ranking member of the Armed Services Committee and co-chair of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Caucus gave a keynote address and expressed support for unmanned aircraft. Rep. McKeon is cochair of the UAV Caucus recently formed with Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-W.Va.). AUVSI members also were addressed at the reception by Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.) and Rep. Glenn Nye (D-Va.), both of whom are members of the House Armed Services Committee.
AUVSI Day on Capitol Hill was such a success that the Association will continue to host the event annually.