Executive Order Rumors, Ohio Bill to Shoot Drones, Wing Flytrex Partnership, WA Rescue

Welcome to your weekly UAS news update. We have four stories this week: a rumored executive order on drones, an Ohio bill allowing drones to be shot down, a partnership between Wing and Flighthacks, and a successful drone rescue. Let’s dive in.

Rumored Executive Order on Drones

You’ve likely heard rumors that President Trump may sign executive orders regarding drones, possibly today, Friday. First, relax—the sky isn’t falling. Despite alarming headlines, nothing has materialized yet, and the anticipated doom and gloom hasn’t occurred.

The orders, if signed, could include updates on Part 108, Section 2209 from the 2016 FAA Reauthorization Act, Section 1709 from the 2024 NDAA, and a potential Department of Commerce final ruling. These aren’t surprising, so there’s no need to panic.

To clarify for those unfamiliar with the terms:

• Part 108 refers to the anticipated Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) ruling expected later this year. An executive order might urge the FAA to expedite this, which would be positive.
• Section 2209, from the 2016 FAA Reauthorization Act, requires rules for drone flights near critical infrastructure. It was never implemented, leaving states to create a patchwork of laws. Standardizing this would be beneficial.
• Section 1709 from the 2024 NDAA mandates a security audit of DJI and Autel by a government agency within one year, with results shared publicly. If no audit is completed, these companies will be added to the FCC’s covered list, preventing new models from being sold in the U.S. An executive order pushing for this audit’s completion would be helpful.
• Department of Commerce Ruling: Details are unclear. It might involve a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) or a final ruling, possibly affecting DJI or drones broadly. We’ll provide updates as more information emerges.

As of now, no orders have been formally announced or signed. Stay informed, avoid panic, and don’t just read headlines—dig into the details.

Ohio’s Controversial Drone Bill

In Ohio, State Representative Angie King and Tai Matthews are pushing the federal Defense Against Drone Act of 2025 (HR1907). This bill would allow homeowners to legally use a shotgun to disable drones flying within 200 feet of their property—roughly two-thirds the height of a cell phone tower, a common altitude for drone operations.

Lawmakers cite privacy, property rights, and public safety concerns, pointing to incidents in King’s district where drones reportedly alarmed residents, threatened livestock, and raised cybersecurity fears due to foreign-manufactured components.

For drone pilots, this is concerning. Current federal laws classify drones as aircraft, making shooting them down illegal. Many operations, like takeoffs, landings, low-altitude photography, and inspections, occur within 200 feet. This bill could severely impact drone use and poses safety risks, as misidentifying drones could lead to dangerous incidents, including shooting at manned aircraft.

Wing and Flighthacks Partnership

Wing and Flighthacks, typically competitors, are collaborating on an automated air traffic and collision avoidance system, a significant development for the Drone Industry. This Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) platform will enable their drone fleets to share real-time flight plan and navigation data. Wing, owned by Alphabet, and Flighthacks, an Israel-based startup growing in the U.S., aim to ensure safe operations over Dallas by preventing collisions through automatic flight path adjustments.

Flighthacks has completed 200,000 deliveries, while Wing is approaching 450,000. Their combined experience strengthens this initiative, promoting safer and more efficient airspace management.

Drone Rescue in Washington State

A heartwarming story from Washington State highlights drones’ life-saving potential. During Memorial Day, a group of teenagers hiking on Mount Si near North Bend became stranded in a steep, rocky area called the Haystack. As daylight faded, the Seattle Mountain Rescue Team deployed a DJI Matrice 4T drone from their North Bend headquarters. Using a thermal camera, they located the hikers on the 4,000-foot mountain just before the drone’s battery depleted.

Volunteer Doug McCuel emphasized the drone’s critical role, stating, “This mission allowed us to launch directly from our building. We were able to peek down on the north side using a thermal camera and locate the group just as the drone battery was about to return home.” Kudos to the Seattle Mountain Rescue Team for leveraging Drone Technology to save lives.

Closing Notes

We’ll discuss the executive order in more detail during our Postflight session in the premium community, so join us there. In the meantime, we’ll see you Monday for a live Q&A. Have a great weekend, stay proactive, and reach out to your representatives about these issues.